While I somewhat agree, the definition of a stereotype does not determine if it is something that is positive, neutral, or negative. It also does not distinguish between differences of personal opinion or taste. Having a physical trait like dark kinky hair is a bit different from the perception that someone smells, as we all perceive odors differently. All I was trying to say was that most stereotypes are based either in an observable truth, or an opinion of what is observed as truth.....and doesnt that cover both scenarios you provided?

Lets see if you can be more genuine with the position than he was and actually carry out a worthwhile discussion.

A) Context and and the subject(s) being stereotyped does matter. The title of the thread, "what's something everyone knows but no one wants to admit?", implies hard-truths. However, I would still argue that the word "stereotype" has a negative connotation. There have been several Askreddit threads specifically about stereotypes, without even looking I can tell you most would fall in a negative category and there will be disproportionate number about black people. So, while the official definition is neutral, the colloquial, general population use of the word "stereotype" is not and usually ethnocentric.

B) Why are you so certain that the majority are based on observable truth? Have you read about the reliability of eyewitness testimony? How easily perception and memory are influenced by bias? Have you ever played telephone? At the end of the day its just hearsay which is fine on the individual level, but very rarely justifiable in extended to a whole group. If these observations were statistically significant and objectively correlated with a particular population, then they would be facts not stereotypes. You also need to take into consideration the large number of stereotypes that were initiated maliciously and intentionally spread to discredit, create fear, and establish the inferiority of a group of people.