Реферат: The British Character and English Humour

Igor Zyrianov

The British Character and English Humour

"The British are definitely romantic,

much more romantic then Italians ..."

Generally British people are polite. During my first visit to London I remember seeing a man in the underground asking for information from a ticket seller. The latter didn't replay and the man said "Thank you very much", started working off, and then turned around and said "fuck you, stupid".

So, for me, the British people are polite, but this way of behaviour is probably a mask for all kind of other feeling. They may be polite partly because they are afraid of drama and of confrontation. For this reason, they also may be attracted to "dramatic" people, like the Italian.

I would like to research into English people (my first wife is, in her own words, "a Londoner”). In our life, I find that Clare reacts and behaves in ways which I would describe as "British", or more specially English.

For the sake of simplicity I will use the word "British", although we should not, as my fife keeps on telling me, forget that the Scottish, for example (yes she has Scots blood too) are an altogether different species. More immediately expressive, direct and hot-tempered, for example, then the English and the Welsh.

Scottish people may be more open to foreign countries and contacts because they have traditionally looked for contacts.

The British people

My conclusion :

British people are obliged by society stereotyping to be polite

British accumulate negative emotions and feelings and do not as a rule express their real feeling spontaneously.

They should expect a high level of hart attack, that's my hypothesis, anyway

The powerful stereotype influence body gestures and movements.

The British are not confident with their bodies, most British men dislike dancing, unless they have had a bit to drink.

I think conservative dress reflect this luck of body confidence.

Interpersonal Contacts are generally rather cool and formal. Handshakes are not so warm. British punctuality should connect with this formality but also with a kind of respect and consideration for other people that helps avoid embarrassing confrontations.

Adaptability is low

My recommendation :

The British should try to be a little more aggressive and outspoken, especially in Belgium where people consider being polite as a sign of weakness.

Next, Humour

Humour is very developed in Britain. It's very dry and ironic. Russian humour may be more visual then verbal and more surreal

I remember that we studied British humour in Russia and found it very interesting. Humour help to relax people and the British understand exactly how important that is.

Humour, however, may cover other feelings. I agree here with Sigmund Freud who said humour helps us to express things in a round about way. It's a way of releasing repression and this is important for average British character.

My conclusion :

Other form of expression then humour and other feeling are not so developed

Humour plays not only positive, but also negative role.

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