British, American and Russian

Characters. Overcoming 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 Russians are not given to sudden changes in their social,
professional and personal lives. They value stability, continuity and predictability. The
Russian character is inflexible, and dogmatic, softened by a saving sense of humour and
good – natured friendliness. It takes much persuasion to make our people 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 Russians.

to benefit from – извлекать пользу; to impose on smb. - давить на кого-

л; inferiority complex – комплекс неполноценности; to be quick on the
uptake – быстро соображать; to get into the rut – идти по накатанной колеи,
поступать привычным способом.

What Are Americans Like? The United States is always compared with a 'melting pot' as
people of different nations have immigrated to the USA. In 2000, white Americans were
about 75% of the population, blacks or African Americans — about 12% of the
population, Asians and Pacific Islanders — nearly 4 %, and American Indians and
Alaska Natives — about 1%. About 8% were of mixed race and other races. Between
1492 and 1880 many immigrants came from Britain, Ireland, and Northern Europe. In
the 19th and early 20th century European immigration to the USA increased massively,
and another era of heavy immigration is occurring right now. The USA still accepts
more immigrants each year than any other country in the world. People come to the
USA as they all see this country as a land of hope and opportunity. The term 'melting
pot' implies that all immigrants have become alike and have adapted to their new
homeland. In the USA the aim of upbringing is to raise a responsible, self-reliant
individual. At the age of 18 young people usually move out of their parents' house and
live independently. A grown-up person who is still living with his or her parents may be
considered 'immature', or 'tied to the mother's apron strings'. Americans believe that all
men are created equal. It means that one tends to treat other people as peers, and that
everyone expects to have equal opportunities to achieve his or her goals of life. As a
result Americans are quite informal in their general behavior and in their relationships
with other people. People of high standing can be seen in public wearing jeans, sandals,
or other informal clothes. Americans call each other by their first names irrespective of
a person's social position or age. When people talk, they usually smile a lot and use a lot
of jargon and slang. Americans always feel uncomfortable with silence. They prefer to
talk in order to fill the pause. Working hard is greatly valued in the United States.
Americans respect doers, problem solvers and achievers. Great importance is attached
to such qualities as efficiency, punctuality and practicality. Self-improvement is very
important to any American. Idleness is considered to be shameful. Americans can't
afford to waste time, to daydream, or to do nothing. There are many workaholics and
people who are addicted to their work in the USA. Such people think constantly about
their job and feel frustrated if they are kept from it, even during weekends and holidays.
Americans see as heroes those people who have overcome a great number of obstacles
in order to succeeded in life. In the USA the words 'This is a self-made man' are the best
praise. People are placed in the stratification structure based on their individual merits
or achievements. Americans are individualists. They consider themselves as separate
individuals who are responsible for their own lives. Americans value privacy and
personal space. Americans seem to be constantly in a hurry. They are extremely
punctual and well-organized and hate to be late for meetings. Americans often say that
'time is money'. They become quite irritated if they have to wait more than 15 minutes
beyond the scheduled time for appointments. Americans like to be open and honest.
They ask direct questions and expect 'straight' answers. But at the same time, they are
reluctant to discuss financial and health matters or to talk about their private life.
Americans hate to argue or to refuse point-blank. Instead of saying 'no' directly, an
American will say something like 'it is not convenient now'. Many Americans know very
little about other cultures and the world beyond the borders of the USA. They are sure
that their country is superior, probably the 'greatest' country in the world. Americans
don't like foreigners and they tend to think that people born in other countries are not
so lucky as they are. Most Americans are proud of their political system and they believe
that it has advantages which other political systems lack. Democracy has become a
synonym for the American way of life.

1. Read the following sentences and circle TRUE or FALSE:

1) In 2000, white Americans were about 45% of the population. T|F
2) In the 19th and early 20th century European immigration to the USA increased
massively. T|F|
3) At the age of 21 young people usually move out of their parents' house and live
independently. T|F|
4) Americans believe that all men are created equal. T|F|
5) Americans are very formal in their general behavior and in their relationships with
other people. T|F|
6) Self-improvement is considered to be shameful in the United States. T|F|
7) Americans see as heroes those people who lead a modest life. T|F|
8) Americans ask direct questions and expect 'straight' answers. T|F|
9) Americans usually say 'no' directly. T|F|
10) Americans are sure that their country is superior, probably the 'greatest' country in
the world. T|F|

2. Complete each sentence (A—J) with one of the endings (1-10):

1. Between 1492 and 1880
2. The USA still accepts
3. The term 'melting pot' implies that
4. A grown-up person who is still living with his or her parents may be considered
5. Americans call each other by their first names irrespective of
6. When people talk, they usually
7. Great importance is attached to such qualities as
8. Americans can't afford to
9. People are placed in the stratification structure based on their
10. Americans are reluctant to discuss
A. individual merits or achievements.
B. 'immature', or 'tied to the mother's apron strings'.
C. efficiency, punctuality and practicality.
D. more immigrants each year than any other country in the world.
E. financial and health matters.
F. all immigrants have become alike and have adapted to their new homeland.
G. waste time, to daydream, or to do nothing.
H. a person's social position or age.
I. many immigrants came from Britain, Ireland, and Northern Europe.
J. smile a lot and use a lot of jargon and slang.

3. Answer the questions

1) Why is the United States compared with a 'melting pot'? 2) Why do many immigrants
come to the USA? 3) What is the main aim of upbringing in the USA? 4) What do
Americans think of people's equality? 5) What do you know about Americans' behaviour
in public? 6) What kind of person is respected by Americans? Why? 7) How can you
describe a typical American workaholic? 8) What is the best praise in the USA? Why? 9)
What do Americans think about other countries? 10) What are Americans especially
proud of? Why?

4. Summarize all the information you have learnt and make up a short
description of a typical American (10-12 sentences)

5. Read what other people think about Americans and comment on their
opinions.Are there any statements you can't agree with?

Americans are so dedicated to their jobs.' (Jamelia) 'Too many of us look upon
Americans as dollar chasers. This is a cruel libel, even if it is reiterated thoughtlessly by
the Americans themselves.' (Albert Einstein) 'Americans are very friendly and very
suspicious, that is what Americans are and that is what always upsets the foreigner, who
deals with them, they are so friendly how can they be so suspicious they are so
suspicious how can they be so friendly but they just are.' (Gertrude Stein) Americans
love to fight. All real Americans love the sting of battle.' (George S. Patton) Americans
are so enamored of equality that they would rather be equal in slavery than unequal in
freedom.' (Alexis de Tocqueville) 'As one digs deeper into the national character of the
Americans, one sees that they have sought the value of everything in this world only in
the answer to this single question: how much money will it bring in?' (Alexis de
Tocqueville) 'I think the American Dream says that anything can happen if you work
hard enough at it and are persistent, and have some ability. The sky is the limit to what
you can build, and what can happen to you and your family.' (Sanford I. Weill)

6. What is a typical American like? Describe him using some adjectives from the
table if you find them suitable. responsible, self-reliant, independent, hard-working,
ambitious, informal, punctual, friendly, efficient, practical, persistent, well-organized,
open, honest, patriotic, diligent, active, pushy, realistic, egocentric, self-confident B.
Read the text 'What Are Americans Like?' What is the main difference between
Americans and other nations?