Originally Posted by babsy

For the same reason we have stereotypes - basically, we don't have enough time in our life to get to know the intricate ins and outs of every single person on the planet, so we have to, by the very virtue of the impossibility of spending years getting to know six billion people, label people.

As an example, I stereotype African Americans as not enjoying Horseback Polo. If you're an African American and you find that offensive, then feel free to correct me! However, until the day I'm proven wrong, then why not let that assumption stand? It's the only way I can get to know at least a little bit about every African American on the planet.