Dangerous Stereotypes

It was pretty easy, pretending to be English. When Paco asked if anyone in the audience was English, Margaret put up her hand.

There's always someone, said Paco, sardonically.

Not tonight there isn't, thought Margaret, smiling in a way that said, at least I am not German.

Paco forgot about her, after that, and set about insulting Australians instead.

Always boasting about your dangerous saltwater crocodiles, he said.

Margaret wondered who he had been talking to.

It turned out there was no five step guide to being German. There was just a series of stereotypes to set up and knock down.

There is no stereotypical German, Paco said. However, Germans, when they are driving on the motorway,  will risk death itself to avoid crossing over a line.

The audience roared with laughter at the stereotypical Germans who did that.

Paco! said Margaret loudly. You are being contradictory.

English lady! said Paco. You are not supposed to speak. Please see me at the end of the show.

Margaret wondered whether she should wait.