NATIONAL CHARACTERS AROURND THE WORLD

National character is a set of traits of character that are very similar in a nation. National character can be formed under the influence of different circumstances: climate, historical events of the countries, cultural habits and traditions, political and economic situation in the countries. Each nation has developed strong national characteristics, which separate them in custom, habits, religion, law and language.

Some nations that have been living together for a long time have something in common but at the same time there are a lot of examples when the nations being neighbours differ in their cultural traditions and habits and as the consequence in their national characters. Some cultural traditions and habits were formed under the influence of the peculiarities of national characters and vice versa. We can hardly say what is primary, national character or culture traditions and habits because they are closely interconnected. Almost every nation has a reputation of some kind.

The Russians are people of an original national character because they have combined some traits from Asian nations some ones from European nations. Probably this is the reason of appearing of a “mysterious Russian soul”. Russian national character is similar to Asian in respect to the chiefs and elder people. In previous centuries it was a usual type to spend very long winter evenings- to knit, sew, or embroider and to listen to mothers’ or grannies’ stories of life. In the 20th century these traditions were abolished by new style of life. But fortunately they have been revived recently.

The Russians are rather lazy but when they need very much they can work extremely hard from the dawn till sunset. Russian people are very hospitable and generous to their guests. You can come to a Russian family without any notice and you will be fed for sure because national tradition demands it.

When it is a holiday the table is full of different tasty national dishes. When Russian people go to or visit their friends or relatives they traditionally bring some presents, usually a bottle of wine, or flowers, or some sweets or something valuable for a special occasion. It is important to give an odd number of flowers. This cultural habit is similar to German one.

Also as many European nations, the Russians are great singers. They are fond of singing on any festive occasion. Russian people are rather sociable. They associate themselves as a part of a group. Relationships are very important.

The Germansare thought to be dull, formal, efficient, fond of military uniforms, and parades. Handshaking all around are customary on meetings and leaving, but the Germans do not kiss. A German’s home is his private castle and invitations to German homes are a special privilege.

Britishpeople are conservative to the traditions, ceremonies, culture. Monarchy is and example of their conservatism. They are community-minded people, they have had a long tradition of democracy. As well they are individualist-minded people.

They are spoken to be practical, realistic, polite, punctual. They are quite careful about time. It is considered to be very rood if you are late. Thanks to these traits of character they respect law and order very much.

The English are reputed to be cold, reserved, rather haughty people who do not yell in the street; they are steady, easy-going and fond of sport. The English are a nation of stay-at-home, they say. And when the man is not working he withdraws from the world to the company of his wife and children and busies himself with the affairs of the home, “The Englishman’s home is his castle” is a saying known all over the world; and it is true that English people prefer small houses, built to house one family, perhaps with a small garden, but nowadays the shortage of building land and inflated land values mean that more and more blocks of flats are being built, and fewer detached and semidetached houses.

The fire is the focus of the English home. Other nations go out to cafes or sit round the cocktail bar, for the English it is the open fire, the toasting fork and the ceremony of English tea. Even when central heating is installed it is kept very low. An invitation to home are possible on special occasions. English people prefer to spend the free time with their friends in pubs.

Englishmen’s humour is unusual as well their national character. The Englishmen’s humour specificity roots in reserve of the English national character. English anecdotes as a part of cultural traditions reflects the English national imperturbability, when a comical situation is presented in a serious way.

The Scots are not English, English and Scots derived from different mixed sources racially and historically. Scottish people are known for their dourness, implacability and splendid courage. The Scottish people have also a reputation of being the stingiest people on earth, which is not true, of course. As the Scottish people admit they do not like to spend money, but they like spending money on their friends and visitors-not on themselves. The Scots are very clever and simple people with a natural sense of humor. And they are hard-working people although they like to dance very much. Glasgow, the biggest city of Scotland, has more dancing schools than any other European city. They are proud of their own national traditions and have been keeping to them very strongly. Every Scotsman belongs to a clan, a big family group. Each clan has its own special tartan. On festive occasion many Scotsmen wear their traditional clothes with great pleasure.

The Welsh are the remnants of those pugnacious Celtic people who were subjected to centuries of Roman rule. An old Welsh proverb says “The Celt always fights and always loses”

Irishpeople are reputed as optimistic, reckless, “leg-pulling” and ironical about themselves. But there’s an introversion too, a tend to melancholy and self-absorption.

The French are supposed to be amorous, gay fond of champagne. The handshake is and important part of normal social relations in France and not just something you do first time you meet someone, it is done on greeting and parting, between strangers, close relatives, and even children. Kissing is also a common form of greeting between close friends and relatives. It is done two or three times, alternating cheeks. One shouldn’t be surprised to see men embracing.

The citizens of other European countries such as Spain, Italy, Greece are considered to be very generous, hospitable who seldom hide their feelings and attitudes. Greek hospitality is sincere, incredibly generous, and sometimes overwhelming. A guest must be careful not to praise a specific object or the host may insist on giving it to him or her.

Asian people tend to environmental learning especially in China, Japan, and India there are a lot of beautiful parks, where they enjoy watching nature. Most of the Asians are very curious and value education. Every culture has its own unwritten list of behavior that is acceptable. For example, Asian people tend to be more soft-spoken, and might think that someone who is speaking or laughing loudly is rude and aggressive. In manу Asian cultures, however, making direct eye contact with someone is often considered bold and aggressive.

The Asians are hard-working, that’s why they have many examples of brilliant architecture, for example, Taj Makhal in India, The Great Chinese Wall, many Buddhist and Hindu temples. They respect elder people and parents, value their families, and love children. They are shy, because kissing anyone in public – it’s very rude. They are modest and punctual (they never late to appointments, and don’t tell jokes people who they don’t know very well). And when they give someone a present, the give it with both hands, it means that they are respectful.

Arabs are charm. They are capable and quick-witted. They are open and witty. They have material values, and they think that the world is a big market. Any action is commercial deal.

Latinas are lightheaded and amorous because they can’t live without loving someone. They are little lazy and prefer to learn something very fast.

Africansare children of nature. They are divided into two cultures: English Africa and French Africa. English Africa is pragmatic and rational. French Africa is another. They are nearly French: wear elegant clothes and smell expensive French eau-de-cologne. Element of creative is always with them. Their glance is pensive, but judgments are spontaneous. Also they have a sense of humor.

With help of some interviews scientists have done some conclusion about values of from other countries. The Africans put money on the first place, Latinas put love, Hindu put family and mother, but Arabs put business. Citizens of Thailand have religion tolerance, that’s why different communities live in Bangkok, they belong to different confessions. The most numerous of them is Islam community. The Hindu and citizens of Bangladesh like freedom.

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