Every country has its fair share of stereotypes. Some hate foreigners, while others are too efficient and punctual. There are those that eat things we find inedible, and the culture of some is plainly beyond comprehension. Tact is very important when dealing with prejudice, so I decided to help out a bit by making a list of things you should never say to a person from Wales.
Wales Is In England
No, it [redacted] well isn’t. The Welsh abhor being regarded as a mere part of another country. We have our own language, culture, customs, and our own land that just happens to be a part of the United Kingdom. Another mistake would be to refer to the country as a city or a principality. People here are a bit touchy about that sort of thing.
Say Something in Welsh
The language is pretty difficult to master, but we hate negative comments about it, even when they are innocent. Demanding that your Welsh friend say something in Welsh makes them feel like a circus attraction. Furthermore, and this is important, not all of the Welsh speak the language. This may seem shocking, considering that most signs are both in Welsh and English, but that is simply how things are around here.
Are Your Parents Miners or Farmers?
Not long ago, these two were some of the most common professions in Wales. However, we have expanded and evolved. Assuming that we all come from miners and farmers makes the country seem like it’s full of country bumpkins, and it is a bit insulting, to be honest. For example, my parents were neither. They were formerly a bank teller and a salesperson.
Singing
It is amazing how many people believe that every Welsh person they encounter can sing. Yes, we do have several singing stars on the global stage. That being said, I can’t carry a note to save my life. Don’t ask your Welsh acquaintance to sing based on this stereotype alone. Of course, if you have other reasons to believe they can liven up your karaoke party, go for it.
Llanfairpwllgwyngyll
You will be tempted to make us pronounce some of the local places’ names, particularly Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch. These days, we use the shortened versions of the name and, again, some of us feel like we’ve been put on display for the entertainment of others. It is not that we won’t do it – some people take pride in watching others try to tackle the pronunciation, but it is like a joke that has been done too many times. Compare it to asking an Asian person what cats taste like.