Features of a national character, or for what the British love the queue. National Features of the nature of the English people their high humor

Each nation is characteristic of their special character traits. This is in a special way this refers to the British. Every Englishman, wherever he lived at the moment, has a set of qualities that will not allow him to confuse him with a representative of another nationality.

It can be said that the features of the British are the result of the historical development of the country, reflection of its traditions and customs, as well as the consequence of the island situation of England.

Many authors tried to describe from a typical Englishman, his character, habits, interests. But do not forget that each person is unique, so it is important not to simplify and not exaggerate information about the life of the whole people.

Constancy of character

Among the national characteristics of the nature of the British allocate one of the main - their constancy and commitment to various rituals and traditions. Some traditions turn into ideas, for example, the keys ceremony in the Tower or the shift of Karaul at the Buckingham Palace.

Some traditions are deeply included in and do not even consider trying to change something. The British's own vision of the world is not able to change under the influence of external factors, as its habit is not able to change.

It is believed that residents of England are calm in any situations. Their calm and self-control is determined by the fact that since childhood they are involved in a certain way to respond to life situations, not to show true feelings, overcome gravity and deprivation. Rarely on the individuals of the British you can see the expression of emotions, be it surprise or anger.

Paradoxicality and eccentricity

Despite the constancy and restraint, among the characteristics of the British, no last place occupies their eccentricity, which provokes some paradoxicity of behavior. The manifestation of emotions during soccer matches does not correspond to a typical Englishman.

Also, the British rarely restrain the emotions if they face criticism or ridicule to their traditions or lifestyle. This is a rather patriotic nation, ready to pay taxes on the content of the royal family, which may be dissatisfied with some rules, until they are introduced into the rank of law.

The paradoxicalness of the nature of the British is determined by some contradictory of their behavior. They do not like heat, but love fireplaces, do not have ideas about the affairs of their neighbors, but they know everything about the life of the royal family, they may be careless to dress at home, but even to the exhibition of cattle will wear a hat and insert the jacket flower in the butter.

These features of the national nature of the British are inexplicable, but they are invariably proud.

Eccentricity of behavior lies in the life of the British without regard to others. They are indifferent to the opinion of others, although they are politely listened to him. The British can be engaged in collecting strange things, walk with a folded umbrella in the rain, is extravagant to dress.

This tendency to stand out, to become unlike all, probably arose precisely because of the historically established strict standards of behavior, regulations and rules that do not allow much different from others.

Rituality of behavior

No matter how the inhabitants of England are eccentric and original, mostly their behavior is ritual.

The British observe certain rituals when communicating: even with unfamiliar people, they will support the conversation about the weather, work in the garden or minor news, because it is so accepted. It is not even a topic of conversation, but the process itself.

There are certain rituals in organizing entertainment, meals, selection of clothing, leisure activities on weekends, communication with different categories of people. During the day, the Englishman can perform some actions, not because he wants it, but because it is prescribed by rituals.

Snobism of the British

One of the negative is their snobbery. Often this quality is explained by the consequence of imperial psychology, which came from time when England subordinated to himself almost half of the world. The British feel superiority over other peoples, and this superiority is not to not have anyone above itself, but that someone is below them.

Previously, from childhood, the stereotype was introduced into the consciousness, which should be shown the greatness of the British nation, to be an example of the world. And even when the empire fell, this idea was so simple did not leave the subconscious of people.

Also often, the British simply do not delve into the life and features of other peoples, selfishly giving preference to their internal problems. The island situation of England has determined the special hostility of the British to other nations. What happens on the mainland is largely perceived by the inhabitants of England as something that differs from their lives as civilization from barbarians.

Tolerance nation

But we must pay tribute to the British, they will never show their hostility in the face, for which they are often considered double. This is determined by their politeness - they will never always express discontent or disagree with someone's opinion, saying something out of complacent phrases: "This is a very interesting idea" or "Quite interesting reasoning." In fact, it will mean disagreement.

In general, they rarely pronounce categorical phrases. Even when answering the question "What time is it?" From the Englishman you can hear "I suppose, now six hours" or "It seems to me that now six o'clock." Who often communicates with representatives of the British people, consider it impolite - such a polite appeal to the deposition hides their indifference, indifference and suspicion.

Indigenous residents of England are indifferent as a person dresses as he says, how he behaves. The eccentricity of others is not condemned and as if not noticed. This principle of their life can be expressed by the words "live yourself and let's live with others."

Tolerance of the British applies to nature attitude. England is considered a green country with unique nature. Not uncommon for Britain - a lonely house, standing among trees, which shows the presence of a person even in remote areas of the country, or parks and gardens in large cities, more similar to wildlife.

Anglican closure

The closure of the nation is explained by the geographical position of the country. Island psychology separates not only England from the mainland countries, but also each person from each other. This nation loves privacy very much. The British are very difficult to converge with other people, but retain connections with acquired friends for many years.

When meeting with friends, men do not demonstrate joy, do not exchange attendant smiles, do not hug, but are limited to classic handshake. Women are not exchanged by real kisses when meeting, but only imitate sounds and gestures somewhere in the ear of the ear.

Physical contact when communicating with acquaintances is considered indecent and unnatural.

In this regard, the British live on the principle of "do not touch me." Contacts with unfamiliar, anyone seeks to avoid. When such contacts cannot be avoided, for example, in public transport, they do not look at each other in their eyes, try to avoid visual contact.

English humor

All foreigners seem to be the excellent sense of humor of the British - only myth. Their jokes seem flat, ridiculous, uninteresting and stupid. The British themselves are proud of His sense of humor and are painfully reacting to such an assessment by the surrounding.

The accusation of them in the absence of the ability to joke is infringed by their pride more than the condemnation of other qualities of character. Perhaps the lack of a sense of humor of the British is attributed due to their inability to laugh at themselves, their traditions and interests.

Most of all is associated with the word than with a comedy of provisions or changing. Therefore, it is traditionally manifested in the literature - in the comic characters of W. Shakespeare, Ch. Dickens, D. Austin, L. Carol and other authors. Also, humor of the British can manifest itself without words: short comedy Charlie Chaplin still cause laughter around the world.

All these qualities determine the original, unique and to some extent paradoxical world - a typical English character. To confuse the representative of this country with someone else is simply impossible.

Introduction

At first glance, the British seem to be restrained and calm. With their fastened on all buttons with emotions and unshakable composure, they seem to be extremely reliable and consistent - both for each other and for the whole world. In fact, in the depths of the soul of each Englishman, the unbridled primitive passions boil, which he never managed to submit to the end. This "dark" part of its nature is trying to not notice and hide her in every way. Literally since the birth of English children, it is taught not to show their true feelings and suppress any inconsistency, so that someone does not hurt anyone. Appearance, the visibility of decency is that it is most important for the Englishman. The fact is that in the depths of the soul, the British are no less capable of deception, rudeness, violence and other disgraces than any other people of the world; They just try not to show all their views that you can at least assume the presence of such properties of character. Similar "impermeability" is the main feature of the British, and thanks to it, no matter how paradoxically, the whole world considers this quite predictable people "absolutely unpredictable".

British. What are they?

The British consider themselves legitimate, polite, generous, gallant, persistent and fair. They are also insanely proud of the self-sustaining humor inherent in them, considering it unconditional proof of their generosity.

The British are experiencing innocent distrust to everything unfamiliar, and especially foreign. And it should be remembered that in a certain sense, the word "other country" for the Englishman begins at the opposite end of the street on which he lives. The rest of the world of the British is perceived as a playground, where certain teams interact are groups of peoples, each with their traditions and culture - and you can also look at all of this from the side and have fun, or to use yourself, or simply write off with accounts as unnecessary - Depending on desire. Only to representatives of one or two nations, the British are experiencing something like child senses.

Traditions of British

The British are peculiar to the longing of the past, and there is nothing more expensive for them than any customs and traditions. In a broad sense, the concept of "tradition" is meant that something has passed a worthy test of time, and therefore it should certainly be preserved, for example: bright red mailboxes, men's semi-coath with wooden buttons, marmalade, weekend on the last Monday of August, green hedges from turquish , Wiembli Stadium and Wellington Rubber Boots. The judicials are still sitting in the mantle and powdered wigs of the eighteenth century, and the professors of the oldest universities in England - Oxford and Cambridge - wear black mantle on the scarlet lining and four-trigger hats, the Royal Guard is still wearing the form of the 16th century, but none of the British and The eye does not blink. Members of Parliament, reporting the agenda in the House of Communities, put on doping folding cylinders. In England, the tradition of rest days is strictly observed: "Weekend", when the townspeople seek to leave the city, in nature. On Sundays, there are almost no one on the streets, the theaters and shops are closed.

Traditional male reverence to the woman is in the damage due to the effort of those who perceive this tradition as a manifestation of condescension to the weak floor, and by no means respect for it.

Left-sided movement is also an English tradition. This custom originated in those days when a horse was the main means of movement, and the rider was needed to grab the sword on time and protect himself from going to meet the enemy.

Something in England never changes at all. Surveys of graduates of English universities have shown that those who have finished independent (ie, private public cheekbones) automatically get better and more highly paid places than those who graduated from public schools.

Their behavior

Moderation is a precious ideal! - It has great importance to the British. This is especially brightly manifested in universal disgust to those who "go too far."

The concept of "go too far" includes, for example, excessive tears or the release of obscene jokes, over which the author himself laughs the most. The British do not like to enjoy each other scenes. And anyone who does this, automatically falls into the "coming too far", that is, the leading wrong. The best behavior in any circumstances is to depict a languid indifference to everything in the world, although in your heart you can boil passions at that moment. Even in love affairs it is believed to be obscene to show their true feelings - it is possible to do this if it is possible with the doors closed, however, in this case, observing moderation.

However, in some (special) cases, it is possible to exercise their feelings openly, for example, during sports. At the funeral, or when a man is returned to the joy of home, whom everyone considered dead. But in these cases, violent emotions must certainly change the embarrassment.

The British believe that it is completely unacceptable to poke your nose in other people's affairs. In the presence of such a complex of doping traditions and morals, which they exist, excessive curiosity and sociability can lead to someone to offend someone by ignorance.

English families

The family represents the British the luxurious opportunity to behave as he wants, and not as it should be. But, except for annual holidays and festive days, family members are by no means burning to spend a lot of time together. "Traditional English family" is about this: working dad, sitting at home mom, on which dad is married, and their 2-4 children.

Of those English children whose parents are quite consistent, most often give in some "Palk-Skull" that is, in a closed school, usually with the boarding school. Parents of such children are quite positive about the stay of their children in the boarding school, believing that the farther children from home, the better they develop.

Alternative "Public - Skull" is a state free public day school. In such schools, however, periodically lacks decisters (too low salary), equipment and stationery (lack of collateral funds), students (chronic absenteeism) and premises (every day at least one school burns).

Manners and etiquette

The British do not like to touch anyone. Of course, they exchange hands, but always try to do it very easily and quickly.

English ladies can smack each other in a brush or even both; But it is desirable to kiss "past" - i.e. pretend.

Farewell options are more diverse than greeting options, but they mean as little. Once at a completely "street" expression "See you" (see you or so far), now picked up and educated people, it is used quite often and completely inappropriate.

In public places, the British are trying not to touch the unfamiliar person, even inadvertently. If there was still some sophisticated apologies for nonararks, the most sincere apologies are followed.

Arrangement of houses

The inhabitants of England almost all free time use for infinite and continuous "improvement" and arrange their homes, without which no house can be recognized as a truly good.

The British are constantly underway both outside and inside the house, installing electronic security and shower cabins, mastering the built-in furniture or anything else. Even the car will never be ignored.

It is worthwhile to start working in the garden, and something incredible happens: for some time, he completely loses his whole practicism and forgets about all other preferences. It is probably why the British prefer to live in their own homes. They are engaged exclusively by the landscape - in dreams they see the endless green expanses, covered with plantations of exotic flowers and shrubs.

Logs and books in gardening successfully promote the idea that anyone can breed any plants. And indeed in the tropical heat of greenhouses and greenhouses feel great seedlings and cut exotic flowers. All these wonders of the British are managed to create even in small areas of the Earth: a tiny garden or just a box under the window becomes in the imagination of the Englishman with his personal National Park.

Pets

The British are convinced: a person who loves animals cannot be completely bad. They themselves adore animals. Anyone. Pets of the British are kept exclusively for the company. They are vital at least because only with four-legged domestic pets in most of the British are the most sincere gentle relationships, which are generally capable of representatives of this nation, far from always knowing how to communicate normally with each other. Animal British is perfectly found a common language, although sometimes they are not at all able to find a common language with their own children. But with their dogs, they have a complete contact, and they constantly scratch them, whispering in the shaggy ears all sorts of cute trifles. The dogs take such fabrics without complaints, and soon they even begins to like what they do not have rivals in the hearts of their owners. Cruel treatment of animals causes horror and disgust from the British.

Food and Drinks

The British have never been distinguished by adventurism in the field of cooking. Rostable, lamb or pork with vegetables and fried potatoes are still favorite national dishes, and in other cases, or when there is not enough fiction, the British prefer another traditional dish - stew beans and toasts.

Potato is the most important component of the daytime meal. The average Englishman for the year eats two hundred kilograms of potatoes in the form of chips with fish, hamburgers and other dishes. Potatoes also like them in the form of "Chip Bati", which is a cut-down bun, smeared with oil and stuffed with fried potatoes. Most of the British will consider the meal unfinished, if he does not receive his "pudding". The British still values \u200b\u200btheir long-lasting invention - sandwiches. True, they used to satisfy only the cheese with the acute seasoning "Chatti", but now a highly artistic sandwich can contain anything - from smoked salmon and soft cream cheese to Chicken "Tikka Masala", cooked with sharp Indian spices.

They stubbornly keep loyalty to tea and consider it one of the few really beautiful things ever in England from abroad. They have appropriated mystical healing and sedative properties and resort to it in any crisis situations. Only tea is able to derive the Englishman from the shock state. And he serves as a reason to simply be in the society of other people, in such cases there is always someone offered to drink a cup of tea. Maybe tea is really the only harmful habit. In large English institutions, tea is brewed in large vessels, like Russian samovarov. The liquid that rushes a rapid flow from such "samovarov" outside, the best characterizes the name "Table Tea" - or, as the British say, such that "and without a cup on the table".

Sport

The most popular national sport - fishing, which the British is always called "fisheries" (angling), because this word sounds solid, implying certain professional skills and skills. Most of the British clearly prefers fishing football. But a lot in England and those who regularly take part in every kind of amateur competitions, such as basketball, golf, rugby, swimming. And also the British love riding riding, mountaineering, horse racing and, of course, gambling. However, the actual love of the British for sports is manifested in observing those who, actually, sports and is engaged in sports. Such observation gives the exit to all their clamped emotions. Football fan is accustomed to defeats and enjoyed, even when his team pulls at least a draw. The exception is the fans of the popular club "Manchester United", which are waiting for their team exclusively victory and terribly upset when it does not happen. Manchester United has more fans than any other club in the world. Each issue of their magazine is sold unthinkable by circulation - only in Taiwan there are 30,000 copies! Cricket is also one of the most popular games in England. The British came up with cricket 750 years ago, and in relation to him feel themselves terrible owners. For a long time, they did not even reveal the secret of the rules of this game. Cricket for the British is not just a game. This is a symbol. Everyone considers this game the national form of summer leisure. On any rustic lawn or on the TV screen, a group of people dressed in the White and the gathered mug, as if waiting for a certain event, is constantly sticking out.

Culture and language

England is the country of Shakespeare, Milton, Bairon, Dickens and Beatrix Potter. The first of this series is a generally recognized genius, a real titanium in the field of literature, for the already four centuries, serving an incomparable benchmark for all writers of the globe. The following three - writers are also quite decent and respected; Their books are available in each home library. But the creativity of the last writer is best known to the British, for all of the above wrote about people, and B. Potter's books are dedicated to animals. And Mention of Rabbit Peter, Mrs. Tiggi Winkle or Jeremy Fishera instantly causes a response in the hearts of English readers, and Trozania Gamlet, Coriolan or Othello will leave their souls cold as ice. English Readers of Romeo's History and Juliet will prefer the story of how Jemim Pudldak drew from his pan on the will to make a happy one for another sunny day.

The British are extremely proud of their tongue, although most of them enjoy only a tiny part of it. "Complete Oxford Dictionary" (full Oxford Dictionary) consists of 23 volumes and contains more than 500,000 words, while the most complete dictionary of the German contains 185,000 words, and French less than 100,000. Shakespeare's work dictionary was 30000 words (some of them he invented Himself), which is twice as bigger than the lexicon of modern Englishman. Most of the British are perfectly costing 8,000 words - as many words in the Bible of the King Yakov (English translation of the Bible of 1611, which most English churches use).

The foundations of the English language were laid when he served as the main means of communication for multilingual tribes, being completely deprived of any linguistic tricks such as cases and flexions. And the secret of his success is that this language, like the British themselves, all the time absorbs something, draws from the culture from which at the moment comes into contacts. No other language has so many different ways to express almost the same as English.

Meanwhile, English as a means of communication in the world of people occupies about the same position as "Micharsoft" in the world of computers: the modern world society simply cannot do without English. The French, of course, continue to stand on their, arguing that the use of English, for example, in aviation: "delays the development of this industry and prevents the use of more adequate terminology in it," but English continues to enjoy broadcast in all areas.

Conclusion

As popular wisdom says: "I need to know your friends and enemies." And indeed, knowing the characteristic features of other nations, we can better understand the political and public views of their countries. That is why, in my opinion, it is necessary to meet the culture of other peoples, with their customs and characters to improve international relations and just for its own development, as well as in order to compare the culture and customs of our country, we could Edit, improve in them.

What do the British live? How do they behave, why do not wastewhere and what do they mean when they joke? Anthony Maulle and David Milsted answer these and other questions in his book "These strange English"which comes out in April in the publishing house "Alpina Publisher". We publish several witty fragments from it.

System of values

Common sense - Fundamental concept. Only common sense will tell you, to take an umbrella to rain. Common sense tells: it is impossible to sit on a cold stone (otherwise you get hemorrhoids). Common sense makes you wear clean linen daily - what if you betray the car and will you get to the hospital? For the British, the essence of common sense is briefly transferred to Robert Baden-Powell, the founder of the scout movement: "always be ready."

Common sense suggests that it is impossible to make a wrong step - it is impossible. Cede in life circumstances? Unforgiving nonsense! Any business or an event planned in the fresh air must have a spare option "under the roof", in case "if the worst happens." Even in accounting reports there are Count "Unforeseen expenses".

It is then to be surprised that in important business meetings, the British sometimes turn out to be less prepared than the others. However, this in no way can shake their confidence in the indispensable celebration of common sense.

Rules of the game

If the British say that you "know the rules of the game" - Hurray, exhale, you were recognized! For such an assessment, a foreigner is extremely rare and never unanimously.

To the game or sports, this expression has nothing to do, we are talking about behavior (both on the game field and outside it), which causes respect. With any physical exertion and testing, the knowledgeing rules will try to make it so that no one notice what efforts it costs, and - ideally - to win thanks to its inner superiority. And then the modesty will shout and will not shout about his victory, and will also show generosity to the loser.

The one who knows the rules of the game should be able to lose. Disadvantages with judges or explicit grief. But nestlessly abandoned (but in no case through your teeth!) The note type "the best always won!", Addressed to everyone and everyone, is very, very desirable, even if you have fallen a crushing defeat.

And not that such words could deceive someone - for this, the British is too developed by the spirit of rivalry, especially in sports. The Englishman will prefer for someone to run him the road in the matters of heart, and did not beat tennis, but neither in any other case he will not allow someone to remark him: it would mean that he "went too long away".

Stoicism, the ability to meet the infancy of destiny cheerfully and is calm - these are the main features of an English character. And this is not the insensitiveness of the wooden doll with the "fixed upper lip", not oriental fatalism and non-Scandinavian disgust. It's just a special attitude to life.

The Englishman suspects all foreigners in the tendency of too much to react to all and always "arrange noise in trivia", but he will react much warmer to you, finding you a restrained sense of humor. An example of typical English stoicism is the case with a working circus to which the tiger bit his hand. When the unfortunate was taken to the hospital and asked if he had any allergies to anything, he replied: "Only on tigers."

Clubs, parties and classes

"Being one of", to be involved - that's what kind of English is really important. Individuality is fine, and in some cases it is even recommended, but in general, feel like a member of the team is preferable.

The Englishman is happy and serene surrounded by the like that he has a lot of common (perhaps, all members of the group are simply pretending to be so).

The need for its "involvement" is also manifested in the devotion of the British class system, which is constantly threatened by destruction, but which nevertheless remains the determining point of the life of English society. The importance of the existence of classes is difficult to overestimate, and there are no speech about their cancellation. The Englishman perceives his class as a very large club, whose member he is.

In the English tradition, society should consist of three basic classes. In the old days it was aristocracy, merchants and workers. However, due to the growth of merchants (middle class) of the aristocracy and the workers had to be sighted, and the middle class decided to divide on the upper, medium and lowest.

Everyone is well aware that with any life circumstances should be made of the appropriate impression - that is, such that meets their ideas about what others think about them and how these others perceive what they wear, say, eat and drink representatives of another class, and Also where they live and with whom they communicate.

And although the British recognize that there are much more social mobility for their society, they prefer to conclude inside their class, among equals. In order not to argue on trifles, for example, it is good to decorate the walls with clarops from the porcelain and is it really necessary for a fish knife.

Business

In global business circles, English businessmen are not taken too seriously, they seem to be amateurs, preferring to rely in cases of a kind of flair and not trusting proven methods for analyzing and organizing labor.

The British are very proud of their ability to certainly, even if something, mistaken and confused, but still bring the case to the end without any hope, that is, act not particularly worrying about discipline or planning. In the past, a similar attitude to work served them a very good service, and in fact, all those lessons that the British would like to learn were concluded.

English manner solve practical questions extraordinarily democratic. Any decision is taken collegially, that is, any commission. If you think about contacting someone from representatives of business circles, you will answer every time that he is at a meeting or that he has an important meeting. Meetings stretch to infinity until the participants are trying to reach a consensus, instead of accepting a specific decision. The once widespread believer is that the British work more and diligently, now it is very shaken, because statistics say that on average, Germans work 44.9 hours a week, Italians - 42.4, and the British - only 42. Of course, the last Immediately stated that the Germans and Italians, firstly, much more festive and weekends, and secondly, it is important not the number of working hours, but the quality of work.

Saving time

In general, the British adore punctuality and strive for it, but it is not obsessed with it. After all, it can be measured at an arbitrarily small conditional units: for example, the expression "one moment!" means a smaller period of time than the "second!", but still not so small as "instantly!". But abandoned you "Wait a minute!" can stretch for five or six minutes, and "Give me five minutes!" Usually means a quarter of an hour.

Just obeying the order

Since the British cannot tolerate, when they point out what and how to do, any order should be given to the proper accommodation that many other nations find absolutely unnecessary. If you set your request in the form of a request, you will certainly achieve the desired result. But try to express it in the form of an order, as the British will immediately be a break and get to drink tea.

Language

The British are extremely proud of their tongue, although most of them use only a tiny part of it (and even it is often bad). "Oxford English Dictionary" consists of 23 volumes and contains more than 500,000 words, while in the main dictionary of the German language only about 185,000 words, and in the French dictionary - less than 100,000. Shakespeare's work dictionary included 30,000 words (some of They invented them himself), which is twice as much as the lexicon of the modern educated Englishman. Most of the inhabitants of Misty Albion are perfectly accounted for by 8,000 words - as many words in the Bible of the King Yakov (English translation of 1611), which most Anglican churches now enjoys. The foundations of the English language were laid when he served as the main means of communication for multilingual tribes, being thoroughly deprived of any linguistic tricks of the type of case and flexions. And the secret of his success is that this language, like the British themselves, all the time absorbs something, draws from the culture from which at the moment comes into contacts. No other language has so many different ways to express almost the same as English. The British positively refer to this tradition of language susceptibility, but general changes in the language are perceived with disapproval until they are accustomed to them. After that, they consider them "standard English". The British will never miss the opportunity to subside on pronunciation, spelling rules or usually. In general, this is such a game to which the British are very serious.

Meanwhile, English as a means of communication in the world of people occupies about the same position that Microsoft in the world of computers: the modern world community cannot do without English. The French, of course, continue to stand on their own, arguing that the use of English, let's say, in aviation "delays the development of the industry and interferes with the use of more adequate terminology", but English continues to enjoy more widely in all areas. It says one billion people; It is in the course of 80% of Internet users; 75% of all letters on the globe were written in English, and it is constantly studying more than 200 million Chinese.

In India, much more people who consider the English native language than in England. Voyager-1 takes into deep space, far beyond our solar system, the United Nations Message written in English on behalf of 147 countries! Soon the British will be able to travel around the globe, using its native language exclusively, and at the same time they will not even need to repeat something or even increase the voice. A similar perspective forces them to feel "comfortable" - this English word does not have the equivalent in any other language of the world, and their more than 2,700, and in any other culture.

Conversation and gestures

Talking with the Englishman, you always feel a complete idiot, because here almost never say what they think, but very often - things are directly opposed to their own opinions. For example, if the story telling by you caused the British an estimate of the type "How interesting!" Should not be taken seriously. This is only a spoonful of honey in a flybell. When one Englishman is interested in the health of the other, the answer will be one: "Sin complain!" There is a pretense for nothing. For complaining is a favorite occupation. Chatting with someone, they always complain about any reason: they are not satisfied with health, government, bureaucrats, prices for foods, young people, old people. With an important type of nodding and feeling unity in general displeasure with others, they grumble and grumble about everything in the world, until finally refreshed by the good portion of mutual grief, they do not agree together, that everything around is very bad and somehow improving the position of things is absolutely impossible, but After all, it is so in English.

How to make a conversation

Since the English is practically not capable of a frank conversation, they invented an incredible amount of metaphor, whose set is known to everyone, and everything, using this set, feel perfectly. This includes, for example, eufemism, helping to avoid hot disputes on different slippery issues.

The British do not die, but "quench the candle" or simply "throw out". When they go for the need, "follow the call of the heart" or just "go to something". They devoteally serves a huge number of banalities that they often and gladly pull into the light of God to keep the ball of the conversation in the air or cover the reluctance to say something concrete. However, the British are a little embarrassing of these phrases and call them a derogatory French word "cliche". Turning from one cliché to another, an experienced interlocutor can be skillfully avoid both excessive categorical and excessive vagueness of judgments, regardless of the subject of the conversation.

English weather

If the weather is not affected in the conversation, consider, you did not talk. Without a mandatory phrase "What is today a sunny day" or "pouring like a bucket is not true?" Communication will not be charged.

In the British Islands, weather, as well as the inhabitants of these places, is categorically unpredictable. Thanks to its geographical position, the United Kingdom is the eternal sacraparatimmoric change, so that there are always planning on the open-air events, it is always threatened. The British of Hounced Many centuries and got sick with such a position of things, but extreme weather conditions each time find them surprise.

When autumn frosts kill well-groomed plants in the garden, and the fogs and cold rains wash off the bright spots of linen canopies from the city squares, under which there is so nice to drink tea, then all of them, according to the British, serves some higher goal - to decorate a conversation.

"Frosty, isn't it?", "They say, tomorrow will be a sunny day!", "But the cold will still last, right?". Wind and frost, damp and warmth, fresh, drooping, blows through, a pleasant light breeze - meteorological conditions are always indicated inaccurately, and the temperature and inexpressible plus minus ten degrees. When you can say, what is the difference between "times heavy rains", "with periodic rains" and "short-term heavy rains", know - you finally learned to understand these strange Englishmen!

A large number of transitions to my blog says that the attitude of the British to Russian-speaking people is a question that worries many. Although it is quite explained: preparing for a tourist trip, and even more so, preparing for moving to a permanent place of residence in the UK, I want to know how the indigenous people will be treated. Whether they will be treated with respect or, on the contrary, is extremely negligible or even unfriendly. Therefore, it will not prevent anyone in advance to study this issue.

Features of the relation to Russian-speaking

We will try to determine what the perception of the residents of the UK from the Russian Federation is based on the perception of the United Kingdom. What is the relationship in general - positive or negative? Is it worth silent about their Slavic roots or, on the contrary, to use them with success in the United Kingdom?

If you decide to conduct an experiment on the streets of London and become, stopping passersby, ask about their attitude to the Russians, then, most likely, from discouraged passersby, you will hear one of the following opinions.

Confusion

Many of them are confused, without having any information about this people. And, most likely, the most frequently met response to your question will be the notorious "I" M Sorry, But I Don "T Know Much About Russian". Well, sudid yourself - if suddenly you would suddenly asked to tell about your attitude to the Catalans, could you come to describe your attitude to this nation? So many British can not.

Such an answer is possible due to the fact that during his life they hardly met the immigrants from our country, and if so, then many do not know how to distinguish us from other nationalities of the Soviet Union. For them, we, Belarusians, Ukrainians, Kazakhs, Moldovans and all peoples that speak in the same language are one huge nation. In their understanding, all people from the USSR are Russian.

All that most British knows about us is communism, iron curtain and the Soviet Union. The sophisticated past of the USSR makes negative feelings to the state, as a political unit, but this does not mean that it is the same to specific people. Not even not. The UK nationals are quite educated and competent to not believe false information available from the media. They independently form their opinions on world events and about personalities inhabiting one or another region.

Despite the fact that the media can sufficiently respond to the leadership of the country, I noticed that ordinary people in the bulk are not amenable to this information. Radio and television respond about our state as a cruel, aggressive, backward country, citizens of Britain are still not amenable to the statements of journalists and TV presenters. In their opinion, at the head of the country, it is a very volitional, competent and strong leader who needs to learn to the soaked British politicians.

But if you still want to find out the opinion of the British about the Russians, it is unlikely to get a clear and unequivocal answer - too much distance separates this distant and incomprehensible country from England.

Here the French has long formed a clear opinion. The neighbors who use frogs are ridiculed as a meal, and the British are ridiculed in every possible way. Or if they touch the Hindus, despite their non-standard appearance and a great remoteness of the Motherland, yet they became their relatives. This is most likely caused by historical memory of the colonization of Indian land. To the Indians the conquerors have formed caring, decens. England is an international country, people from around the world live in London, and 60% of people from other countries in London.

Curiosity

Residents of the United Kingdom - inquisitive people, and, of course, it is interesting to hear about our people as much as possible. This can be explained by the fact that they know little about this nation, and they lead curiosity. Why are we similar to those who are unloved by them Poles, why do we have a similar adverb, and how similar our national habits and characters are? But, Polish workers have long been known in the UK, and the people from the largest country of the world - a new, still unknown mystery.

Be prepared for the fact that sincerely will be interested in where you were born or in which city you live. Although, most likely, the asking will not know any cities, except Moscow and St. Petersburg. So you will have a great opportunity to tell about the peculiarities of geography, amazing places and beauty of nature.

In his stories about the distant and beautiful Motherland, keep in mind that incredible stories about winter harsh frost and huge snowdrifts of snow are enjoyed great success and huge snowdrifts. Living in a rainy gray climate, the listeners willingly envy you who saw huge drifts and rolling on sleds from the mountain, the victim of a terrible cold and once frowned her nose or ears.

Respect

If a resident of England meets once with a person who came from Russia, who, fortunately, turned out to be a brought up, smart and pleasant man, he could be sure that the Briton would forever remain the most admirer of the Russian people. If you meet such a person, then he will try to make a pleasant impression on you - will gather all his knowledge about the great genius of music, literature, cosmonautics and science. Surely you can hear the name of Lion Tolstoy or Gagarin.

In a word, hitting the United Kingdom, you can enjoy respect, because you are a citizen of the Great Russian Federation. True, this respect will last until you maintain the brand of the educated, well-educated person. If these qualities are in you, and besides, you are a sincere friendly personality, then you are ensured by warmth and responsiveness in communication.

Sympathy

Slavs are very sympathetic to these men. This is proved by numerous marriages of the British with Russian women. Often it is long and happy unions. I myself know several such families where the Father is Englishman, the mother is Slavyanka, and there are common children. There are examples where even children are present from the old family life of the mother. But their presence does not interfere with a happy union in the eyes of representatives of the strong gender of the United Kingdom.

But it should be noted that marriages with her husband - Russian and wife - British, much less. For some reason, women of England are not very located to Slavic men.

What is the appearance of Slavs attracts the British? Undoubtedly, the first factor in the list of female attractives is external beauty. But it is also important that they are good owners, they are also able to feel the mood of her husband and to support him on time. The birth and raising of children is the main value of family life for our women. These qualities make a woman in the eyes of every normal man reliable wife, mother, hostess.

Another attractive feature is our beautiful pronunciation. Also, they like the special emphasis and melodiousness of the sound. Our speech richness makes it possible to more brightly and organize your thoughts.

London tourists who visited Moscow are admired by the wealth and beauty of the architecture, the greatness and uniqueness of nature. Moscow infrastructure produces an indelible impression, especially the Moscow Metro. In comparison with the London Metro, the Moscow metro is a work of art.

Indifference and antipathy

In some cases, the relationship between the citizens of these two states is at least indifferent, and hostile in the worst case.

The political positions of our leaders give the soil to the personal mutual antipathy of citizens. Fortunately, only the units of British citizens support the political antipathy of England to Russia.

Sometimes it can push straight, excessive coarseness, even the grower of the Russian type. Quality data is sometimes a feature of our mentality, and we do not control ourselves in their manifestation. Therefore, before communicating, practice in the image on your face of a sincere smile - it has people.

Assembly and disadvantage in character also repels many. A minus in the perception of you by the residents of Great Britain can also be ignorance. They believe that the "worldwide" English has long become the main on the planet, and in the head does not fit how you still do not understand it. Although our language learn themselves, thinking that the whole world is obliged to speak English. And the Slavs, thinking similarly, in turn, are also launched in learning English. For this reason, misunderstanding arises.

Finishing the review of these interethnic feelings, I want to bring the statement of one British: "This is a great nation. I want to give advice - do not consider all the famous people only because you did not meet good personalities. Although I myself am an Englishman, but I still prefer this nation with the British. "

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Additional
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The Greek word "xenophobia", which means "fear of foreigners" (at the same time, the British prefer the word "xenolypium", that is, "pity for foreigners"), gained its rightful place in the English dictionary and dryly defined there as "abstract noun ".

What, however, does not quite correspond to reality. On the very case, the noun is the most that there is a specific, straight noun from everyday life, and nothing abstract in it is not. For xenophobia is the national property of the British, which is constantly manifested in the culture of their country. And not for reason. After all, for the British, all the most complex and unpleasant life problems are concentrated in one-sole concept: foreigners.

Nine hundred years ago, Normans undertook their last and quite successful invasion of England. They settled there by winning the battle of Hastings, they tried to integrate on Wednesday of local residents and ... failed. The local population met the strangers with complete contempt (this attitude has not changed now, and not just because they were conquerors, but therefore - and this is much more important! - that they were from another country). However, soon the Anglo-Saxon women regretted the poor and began to marry them - which was accompanied by the inevitable increase in the level of civilization in the whole society. Well, judge ourselves, can the girl trust a guy with the Welsh name Guyom Bowen? But it is well known how to behave (and what can happen) with those who wear the Bill Bown name!

Even today, the descendants of those Normannov love to "make an impression" carelessly abandoned by the comment on the fact that their ancestors had no time to "come here with Wilhelm the Conqueror", and the attitude towards them from the British is very cool - about the same British relate to the one who Inviliar to spoil the air in the elevator.

True British are treated with the descendants of those Normans in the same way as their ancestors treated the Romans, Phoenicians, Celts, Utah, Saksami and - with respect to recently - with representatives of all other peoples of the globe (especially by the French!): Politely, but with constant disregard.

That's what you first have to face. Do not hope to change anything like that of the attitude towards foreigners - too many failed here. But, based on the fact that the most English is proud and boast that it is simply not able to understand these foreigners, it can be assumed that you will even deliver some pleasure to try to snatch from their hands the palm of championship and begin to understand ... they themselves!

Despite the fact that in the prisons of England is the number of prisoners for Western Europe, the British insistently assure everyone that their nation is one of the most civilized in the world - if not the most civilized one! But allow, the truth is some reservation: it is not so much about culture at all, how much about the pupils and the ability to behave in society. The British consider themselves legitimate, polite, generous, gallant, persistent and fair. They are also insanely proud of the self-sustaining humor inherent in them, considering it unconditional proof of their generosity.

Conscious of his own superiority in front of all other peoples of the world, the British are convinced: these nations are also secretly understood that it is so it is, and in some ideal future will try to take an example with them as much as possible.

Similar ideas also contribute to the geography of England. When the British look into the sea distance - and the sea surrounds them " little Close Island"From all sides - no one comes to mind to be questioned, for example, a newspaper message:" Due to the strong fog over the English channel (that is, the strait of la-mans) Continent from us completely cut off".

The British are convinced that all the best in our life is owned by England or at least in this country it was significantly improved. Even English weather is, although it may not be so pleasant - much more interesting than the weather in any other part of the world, for always full of surprises. " My island royal ... This gem is imparted by silver seas ..."Few of the British is able to explain all Shakespeare's allusions, but they are quite sure that they mean these words. For true Englishmen, England is not just a country, but the state of the soul, determining their attitude towards life and the universe and all expanding them in place.

Generally speaking, the British practically indifferently, how they include people of other nations. They are confident - and not without reason - that no one really understands them. But this is by no means bothering them, for they do not want to understand them (believing that it would be an invasion of their private life), and there are a lot of strength to stay for everyone incomprehensible.

The British are accustomed to the fact that they are perceived as a walking set of some stereotypes, and even prefer to maintain a similar position of things. All of them are also well aware that many foreigners consider them hopelessly meant with the past. And they do not mind at all when England is perceived as a country inherent in love detectives, football hooligans, stupid and quilting, and peasants with extremely comfortable slaves, believing that representatives of all these classes and social groups can easily come together in some kind of doping English pub and drink on a circle of warm beer.

Foreigners are absolutely not given to penetrate the truth of the Anglicin. The British extremely rarely show their emotions, their culinary addiction is completely impossible to understand, and the joy of life seems to be at all passing by them until they revel on their deprivation and self-denial. They are considered to be pedants, filled with all sorts of prejudices and well-deprived of the spirit of cooperation - a nation, absolutely indifferent to the changes in the surrounding world, preferring to live under the everlasting heavens in the country, which reminds decorations to the costume playing Bi-Bi-si, fell apart from all white rocks Dover and reinforces its strength exclusively beer, roast beef and eternal rigid corset traditions.

Although the Englishman is considered completely unacceptable to show that they are not indifferent to someone else's opinion, somewhere in the depths of the soul they still want them to love and appreciated for all that they recognize their advantages and are ready to selflessly put on the altar of the world community. These advantages are as follows: First, the thoughtfulness of any actions, the consequence of which is a generous attitude towards the defeated enemy, protect him from persecutors and even a very tough persecution of the latter; Secondly, the absolute truthfulness and the desire to never violate this promise. Foreigners should understand: if the British did not restrain his word, then for this was a highly respectful reason - including it may well be so understandable (that is, absolutely unacted) own benefit.

Try to treat it with some other ideas of the British about yourself tolerant and mercifully, even if you are completely convinced that it is the purest waters of delusion. In addition, it is worth expressing your disagreement to the British with them about this, as a large part of them immediately moves to your direction and will agree with you. It is clear that they do it exclusively from respect for the defeated enemy.

The British are experiencing congenital distrust to the whole unfamiliar, which is most pronounced in their attitude towards the geography of its own country.

From time immemorial in England, divided north and south existed. For Southerne, civilization ends just north of London, and, according to his ideas, the farther to the north, the physiognomy in the inhabitants are red, lachness lach, and the speech is rougher (and practically borders with rudeness). However, all these shortcomings of the British generously write off the colder climate.

In the north, children before bedtime tell the terrible fairy tales about the cunning people living " there below", That is, in the south. Northerners also mark the excessive softness of the South, their inadvertence in food and frivolous attitude towards everything really important in life. Nevertheless, any Englishman is too soft, too frivolous or hairy - certainly has the right to special. The attitude as, however (but to a much lesser extent), and residents of those countries that represent the interests of the English state - the once empire, and now an increasingly small Commonwealth (Commonwealth - Interstate Association of Great Britain and most of the former English dominions, colonies and dependent Territories - approx. per.).

If we are talking about neighbors in the British islands, then the British are absolutely no doubt about their own superiority. And this, in their opinion, are not some small remnants in consciousness, but a scientific fact. So, they believe that the Irish are terrible anniversary and on them should not pay attention, Scotts (or Scots), although smart, but too careful with money, well, Welsh, residents of Wells, just can not be trusted, and do This is not worth anyone, even the Scots and Irish.

However, for the Irish, Welsh and Scotters are not still lost, for none of these peoples causes the British so much irritation and objections, like those of their cousins \u200b\u200bthat live on the other side of La Mansha. They should also remember that in a certain sense. " other country"Or" other-oddness "for the Englishman begins at the opposite end of the street where he lives.

The rest of the world of the British is perceived as a playground, where some teams interact are groups of peoples, each with their customs and culture - and you can even look at all of this from the side and have fun, or to use yourself, or simply write off the invocation - in Depending on desire. The sad experience taught the British to always expect from other worst, so that they are pleasantly surprised if nothing like this happens; Well, if their bad premonitions were still justified, they are pleased to celebrate their right.

It is not surprising, but many foreigners even like the British. A significant part of the British is known for at least one foreigner, whom they consider practically " own"And yet very few peoples are generally perceived by the British seriously and with confidence.

The French and the British at such times were as if eternal sparring partners that even some love-hatred arose between them. The British love France: they like the French food and wine, they are very approving about the French climate. They, perhaps, there is even a certain subconscious, historically established conviction that the French are generally unlikely to have the right to live in France; That is why thousands of the British annually try to float the picturesque corners of France.

However, the French themselves seem unnecessary to the British, and therefore it is hardly able to claim any international ambitions. According to many in England, several decades of permanent English influence could significantly improve French.

The judgments of the British regarding the Germans less evasive. They believe that the Germans are distinguished by the organization, a somewhat excessive seriousness and a certain propyness to do everything; In addition, he is not given to even such a saving property, as the ability to cook delicious. As for the Italians, they, according to the British, are too emotional, the Spaniards are cruel to animals (bulls), Russians are too sullen, the Dutch is overwhelming (although quite prudent), scandinavines, Belgians and Swiss are stupid. All the eastern peoples of incomprehensible and dangerous.

Only to representatives of one or two nations, the British are experiencing something like child senses.

They, for example, support close ties with Australians, although they are confused by some incontinence of the latter, and with Canadians, who, however, are young people, embittered permanent snowfall and excessive proximity to America.

The Americans them, in general, like and liked even more if they didn't sneeze so much ... Hmm ... American! The British consider Americans, too, the British, only those who are not completely understandable as a result of an unsuccessful coincidence of circumstances and universal misunderstanding. And, of course, the Americans would be much happier if they just had enough mind to turn back. In addition, then they would definitely spoke in the right English!