British people. National Character

Almost every nation has a reputation of some kind. An unusual geographical position of the UK has produced a certain insular (замкнутый) spirit among its inhabitants who tend (склонны), a little more than other people, to regard (почитать) their own community as the centre of the world. The British look on foreigners in general with a slight contempt (презрение) and think that nothing is as well done elsewhere (где-то в другом месте) as in their own country.

The British people are known to be profoundly (глубоко) conservative. They always prefer their glorious (знаменитое) past to the uncertainty (неуверенность) of the future. Their conservatism on a national scale (масштаб) may be illustrated by reference (упоминание) to the public attitude (отношение) to the monarchy, to the old traditions and ceremonies which are so carefully cherished (заботливо относиться).

The British are community-minded people. They have had a long tradition of democracy in the active sense of popular cooperation to uphold (поддерживать) the will of the people. The British have a strong civic sense and participate (принимать участие) in public affairs (делах) as their birthright.

The British are not only community-minded but individualist-minded people as well. British individualism is built into custom and practice, into local work and community organization.

“The Englishman’s home is his castle” is the saying known all over the world. The British people more strongly than other nations are attached to their country and to their homes. British patriotism is based on insular pride (скрытая гордость). Everyone in Britain dreams of living in a detached (отдельный) house with a beautiful garden and smooth lawn (ровным газоном) in front of it. A fire-place is a traditional symbol of warmth. A detached house is not only a status symbol for Englishman. Together with a garden and a lawn it separates the owners from the world and ensures (обеспечивает) their privacy.

The best known and universally marked qualities of the British people, especially English, are coldness and reserve (запасливость). They do not talk very much to strangers; do not show their emotions openly. But when you get to know the English better they will turn out to be very friendly and warm-hearted people.

Closely related to British reserve is British modesty (сдержанность). English people hate boastfulness (хвастливость).

The British people are great lovers of gardens, dogs and horses. Their devotion (привязанность) to animals and gardening is a tradition that is rooted not only in their own souls but in the minds of the rests of the world too. Animals are not only loved but protected by law. Nowhere in the world cats and dogs are so deeply cared for as in Britain.

One of the most striking (необыкновенный) aspects of the national character is the love of the countryside. Many people would say their dream home was a country cottage with roses growing over the door. Gardening is one of the most popular hobbies in the country. Many social activities are connected with gardening. There are flower-shows and vegetable-shows, with prizes for the best exhibits.

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 the British drink tea on at least eight different occasions during the day.

One of the points, which is difficult for foreigners to understand, is the English sense of humour. This is perhaps the most fundamental trait the British have in common. “He is a man of humour” or “He has no sense of humour” is often heard in Britain, where humour is so highly prized.

British people are polite in public much more than any other nation.

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