By inverting this list, we can get a portrait of the "normal" world. I suspect that this observation has something to do with the last PG essay to hit HN about

By inverting this list, we can get a portrait of the "normal" world. I suspect that this observation has something to do with the last PG essay to hit HN about putting yourself in the centre. If you take any list of characteristics that you apply to a group, it will tend to contrast them with the 'norm.' Invert it and you get their perspective on the rest of the world, especially if the list is self authored. Imagine a group of Uzbeki expats in Rotterdam commenting on themselves. They'll come up with a list of traits that make them stand out from the crowd. Invert it and you have their perspective on the Dutch. The problem/advantage of this trick is that you might end up with a list of fairly marginal (in the eyes of a non-Uzbeki) or unremarkable traits.