The British Character

Great Britain is an island on the far edge of the European continent, & it’s geographical situation has
produced a certain insular spirit among its inhabitants who tend a little more perhaps than the other
people to regard their own community as the centre of the world. The British people have also been
known as superior, snobbish, aloof & unsociable. These characteristics have been noted by people all
over the world but are they typical of all Englishmen? The ordinary Englishman was seen to be friendly &
sociable. There are indeed two nations with basically different outlooks & characters in Britain. The two
nations are defined simply as the rich & the poor.

The British are often viewed as the most boring people in the word. They wear unimaginative formal
clothes, eat tasteless food, practise slow sports and have a peculiar sense of humour which is usually not
understood by foreigners. They are also said to be conservative, reserved and cool. Indeed, the British
are not very open or spontaneous. They do not kiss or embrace by way of greeting so as not to allow
familiarity. They always keep a certain distance and are not willing to manifest their feelings and
emotions. They are even accused of being hypocritical because they might think one thing and say
another. It is not easy to make friends with them but once you have made a friend, it is a friend for life.

The best British characteristics The British say thay their best characteristics are culture, courtesy and
consideration for the needs of others. Indeed, they are very polite. They always queue when they are
waiting and hold the door open for the person behind them. Also, the British bobbies have a reputation of
being the friendliest and the most helpful policeman in the world. On the other hand, English football fans
are regarded as hooligans and vandals able to tear stadiums into pieces. Generally speaking, however,
the British are well-mannered. It is also true that they care for the needy, as there are a lot of charity
organizations all over Britain. The English are practical & realistic, common sense is a most English
virtue.

On Sunday mid-mornings most British people go in for gardening, washing the car, or taking the dog for a
walk. Another most popular activity before lunch consists of a visit to a pub. The national drink is beer, &
the pub (short for Public House) is a peculiarly English institution. The British people are the world’s
greatest tea drinkers. They drink a quarter of all the tea grown in the world each year. Many of them drink
tea at least on eight different occasions during the day.

Home sweet home ”There is no place like home” say the British. This phrase best expesses an
Englishman’s traditional love of his home. About 70 per cent of British people have their own houses.
Most homes have a garden in which the British spend a lot of time growing flowers and looking after the
lawn which is a national pride. Many houses, especially the older ones, are surrounded by hedges, which
sybolizes the desire of the British to protect their privacy. „My house is my castle” this well-known proverb
reminds a visitor that unless he is invited, he may expect to be treated as an intruder. Pets The British not
only love their homes but also their pets. Many people keep cats, dogs and other animals at home. They
are completely crazy about pets and obsessed with their animals. There are more animal rights groups in
Britain than anywhere else in the world. Animals are protected by law. If, for instance, any one leaves a
cat to starve in an empty house while they go on their holiday they can be sent to prison. There are
special dogs’ cemeteries. Paradoxically, the English still love the hunting of wild animals, such as foxes or
hares, with the aim of killing them. To sum up It is not easy to decide on the typically British
characteristics. Not all English people are cold, uncommunicative or boring, not all of them are crazy
about lawns or animals. Still, there is one thing that is typically British: a strong attachment to tradition and
a desire to keep their country’s uniqueness. Some people say that the British live in the past, but they are
simply proud of their originality.

British, American and Ukrainian Characters. Overcoming

Stereotypes.
In the modem world people of different nationalities often come into contact with each
other. To benefit from such contacts both sides should be free from prejudices and
stereotypes.

National stereotypes may breed dislike or distrust of a person, group or even the whole
people. As national stereotypes are based on ignorance, fear or false information they
may be overcome by quality education or through personal observations of people and
their manners. Quality education provides people with the knowledge of others that
dispels prejudices against individuals. Thanks to quality education, travel and unbiased
observations one gets to know generalized characteristics of different people that make
their behaviour predictable and understandable. For example, one will do well to know
that the English are a people that cannot be rushed, i.e. the English, as a rule, don't
allow others to impose on them, their views, ideas or opinions. They are distrustful of
extremes and resentful of interference. The English believe in themselves. They have
not got the inferiority complex and are indifferent to what other people think of them.
That is why they run themselves down, treat themselves with a sense of humour and
dislike boasting.

The Americans, on the contrary, take pride in their achievements, and want others to
admire them, to approve of them. They are cheerful, easy-going, keep on smiling no
matter what challenges they face up to. The American character is optimistic and
ambitious. The Americans are fond of great schemes, big sizes, open spaces, high
speed, innovations and changes. They are quick on the uptake, pragmatic and efficient.
The Americans are apt to change their occupations, and places of residence. They are
on the move to avoid getting into the rut.

Unlike the Americans, the Ukrainians are not given to sudden changes in their social,
professional and personal lives. They value stability, continuity and predictability. The
Ukrainians are inclined to stick to what they have got for fear of losing the little they
have. The Ukrainian character is inflexible, and dogmatic, softened by a saving sense of
humour and good – natured friendliness. It takes much persuasion to make Ukrainians
adopt new notions, ideas, innovative methods and reforms.

So these are some salient national characteristics to be reckoned with while dealing
with Britishers, Americans and Ukrainians.