Saying “He’s a Czech, he never smiles at people he doesn’t know” is making a stereotype. Stereotypes lead into conflict and misunderstandings. Saying “He’s a Czech, therefore he is less likely to smile at people he doesn’t know” is a generalization.

Generalizations are not only useful but also necessary for human lives. Cross-cultural training and living is a constant struggle between stereotypes and generalizations. All statements in this manual should therefore be understood as generalizations.