Generalisms are useful because they are generally true.

They help you take short cuts instead of the long arduous “learn by yourself” road.

For example, “Birds of a feather flock together.”

If a man (or woman) hangs out with a shady crowd, then he (or she) is most likely to be shady.

In SA, everyone knows you can’t trust someone from J Bay.

“They’re all crooks.”

Of course, they’re not all crooks. There are some amazing, honest, hard-working people in J Bay.

But they’re mostly crooks.

When you meet a decent person from J Bay, they’re the exception.

The exception proves the rule.

Never trust someone from J Bay.