The British People

Great Britain is an island on the outer edge of the European continent, and its
geographical situation has produced a certain insular spirit among its inhabitants, who tend, a
little more perhaps than other people, to regard their own community as the centre of the
world. The British look on foreigners in general with contempt and think that nothing is as
well done elsewhere as in their own country. The British people have also been known as
superior, snobbish, aloof, hypocritical and unsociable.
The ordinary Briton was seen to be friendly and sociable. Englishmen tend to be rather
conservative, they love familiar things. They are hostile, or at least bored, when they hear
any suggestion that some modification of their habits, or the introduction of something new
and unknown into their lives, might be to their advantage. This conservatism, on a national
scale, may be illustrated by reference to the public attitude to the monarchy, an institution
which is held in affection and reverence by nearly all English people. The royalty is much
respected though some people think it is getting out of touch with modern attitudes.
Defenders of the monarchy claim that the royal family, nicknamed ‘the firm’, pays for itself
because it attracts tourists and business to Britain.
The apparent coldness of Englishmen and their reserve has been almost universally
noted by foreigners. If English people are making a journey by train, they will try to find an
empty compartment. If they have to share the compartment with a stranger, they may travel
many miles without starting a conversation. If a conversation does start, personal questions
like “How old are you?” or even “What is your name?” are not easily asked.
Closely related to English reserve is English modesty. If a person is, let us say, very
good in golf, and someone asks him if he is a good player, he will probably give an answer
like “I’m not bad”, or “I think I’m quite good”, or “Well, I’m very keen on golf”. English
people do not readily ask each other to do anything; they prefer to wait for a service to be
offered before asking for it. If they do ask, then they say something like “I don’t really like
asking you, but…”. “Sorry” takes the place of “no” when you cannot do something for a
person or give a positive answer in situation like “May I use your pen?”, “Do you know the
time?” or “Have you any size seven shoes?” “Pardon” is the polite way of asking somebody
to repeat what he has said.
The English sense and feeling for privacy is notorious. England is the land of brick
fences and stone walls (often with glass embedded along the top), of hedges, of thick
draperies at all the windows, and reluctant introductions, but nothing is stable now.
The British people are prudent and careful about almost everything. Their lawns are
closely cropped, their flower beds primly cultivated, and their trees neatly pruned.
Everything is orderly. Drinks are carefully measured, seats in a cinema are carefully assigned
(even if the theatre is empty you are required to sit in the seat assigned to you), closing hours
rigorously observed.
A tradition that is rooted not only in their own soul, but in the minds of the rest of the
world is the devotion of the English to animals. Animals are protected by law. If, for
instance, any one leaves a cat to starve in an empty house while he goes for his holiday, he
can be sent to prison. There are special dogs’ cemeteries. The Royal Society for the
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals was founded half a century before its counterpart for the
prevention of cruelty to children.
The famous English sense of humour is similar. Its ideal is the ability to laugh at
oneself – at one’s own faults. “He is a man of humour” or “He has no sense of humour” is
often heard in Britain, where humour is so highly prized.
outer edge –
insular –
contempt –
superior –
snobbish –
aloof –
hypocritical –
unsociable –
affection –
reverence –
to be keen on –
notorious –
embedded –
prudent –
primly –
rigorously –
counterpart –

Section recap:
1. Why do some British people tend to regard their own community as the centre of
the world? its geographical situation has produced a certain insular spirit among its
inhabitants, who tend, a little more perhaps than other people, to regard their own
community as the centre of the world.
2. What is the attitude of British people to their monarchy? . The royalty is much
respected though some people think it is getting out of touch with modern attitudes.
3. How do you understand the British snobbery? Give some examples.
4. Can you give examples of British people’s prudentness and carefulness? The British
people are prudent and careful about almost everything. Their lawns are closely cropped, their flower
beds primly cultivated, and their trees neatly pruned. Everything is orderly.
5. What is the English people’s attitude to animals? A tradition that is rooted not only
in their own soul, but in the minds of the rest of the world is the devotion of the
English to animals. Animals are protected by law.
6. How do Britons like to spend their week-ends?
7. What is the most popular leisure time for most English people?

Talking points:
1. The British sense for law and order is well known. What do you think about the
Britons’ habit to do everything in a certain way? Is it a good habit?
2. What should parents (teachers) do to make their children (pupils) prudent and
careful? What is your opinion?
3. The British people are also known as superior, snoblish, aloof, hypocritical and
unsociable. Does this characteristic refer to all of them?
4. What do you think about English vanity and arrogance? Can you give any
examples borrowed from books and films characterizing the British people?
5. What do you think about the people of Great Britain?
6. Everybody knows about the devotion of the English to animals. It is also known
about their cruelty to children, even in schools. What do you think about all of this?
 Can you understand and explain the English people’s attitude towards animals and
children? What do you think about it?
7. The British expect the royal family to have high moral standards and to display all
the ideals of family life. Give examples to illustrate the statement.