Miia, your thesis topic reminds me of an experience I had the first time I visited England. I was staying in a hostel, and there was a young Japanese guy there who was collecting nicknames for different nationalities. He wanted them all, didn't care if they were offensive or not, he was just compiling a list. We all enthusiastically helped him with his list, carefully pointing out which nicknames were OK in polite company, and which others would get him a severe stomping. A few nights later he took EVERYONE who had helped him with the list out to dinner at a Japanese restaurant!!