From your travel experiences, what are countries with strong stereotypes cast on them that are actually much more pleasant than the stereotypes make them out to be?

From related posts of mine, I've seen a lot of strong feelings come out about France, Paris specifically.

In general, the stereotype is that France has a bit of a stuck up attitude, can be rude to visitors, Paris is dirty, etc. etc..

I've heard enough France feedback online and from friends to not doubt it, yet at the same time, I know a couple people that come out of France totally enthralled with the wonder and beauty of it as a whole.

This is the dynamic I am interested in hearing about: What other countries carry such stereotypes, and are they really that bad? What may we be missing that would turn the visiting experience into a much more pleasant one? Where is the GOOD in these places?

Perhaps there are no widely perceived stereotypes about certain places you've visited. But they surprised you (in a good way) regardless. How so??