The British Character and English Humour
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.
Like being positive, it avoids
confronting facts and issue directly,
Structuration is a
neurotic process. When our mind, or society try to put thinks in order and
have some system.
Not only English class
system produces elite, middle and down classes and put attention where you was
born, studied and who are your parents.
Conclusions +
observations :
British people should have a
special system in their mind which classify others according to social
positions. If it is difficult for them to do this (with non British) they
become nervous and try to joke.
Also England is very classified
society with many symbols, words and different behaviour patterns for each
subclass in classes.
It stops mix between different
people, energy, information and decreases level of development in society .
It should be difficult to find good
friends
Lets talk about
thinking
British paradigm
includes rational and systematic framework. Before starting normally they have
an optimism. Thinking based on precedent not a theory. British are sceptical
about big scheme (but created complicated social structure) and very proud in
getting through difficult situation.
Conclusion :
Mind and thinking of British people
is a key point/factor
Most of activity pushed in this
sphere and may find release through :
reading
science
research
I expect more readers and reading
per capita in England - The British should like to read a
lot.
Good publishing system :
newspapers, books, magazines ets.
Between Russian and
British I found some common characteristics, such as the famous empire
mentality. Great Britain, as we know, was once geographically very great and
many British people still think or their land as great an strong. They still
think that British is the "best." I can see similar in the Russian
attitude. Here. perhaps I am close with my wife, even though she does not like
to admit this mentality.
I would like to add
that countries that have the same attitudes as Britain and Russia also have
major problems. Because they think they are the best, they may not be so good
at learning new attitudes or for example other nationalities and be incentive.
In a way, us Russian
also live on an Island.
There Is one other
major similarity. The British are definitely romantic, much more romantic then
Italians. and this is the result of being shy and reserved. The Russian are
also romantic, but the reason is different. It has more to do with vastness
and emptiness of the Russian landscape that, I believe, help make Russian
philosophy and has something to do with the famous "Russian soul".
When the British relax
and let themselves go, they may be very talented artists - real artists,
without pretence (a French tendency, I think) and with intense emotions. I
found that Theatre is very good in Britain, and theatre has a lot, of cause, to
do with body movement. Those who are good at it, get very good at it.
And there are plenty of
things that I like about British, of cause, besides their humour whatever is
hides. I like the British breakfast, English tea, gardens, romantism and
English language. Also I like Scottish whisky, I like it much more then
vodka.
Drinks and Culture
I don't know why British
people think I should like vodka so much. I bring 4-5 bottles of Vodka to my
British friends in London. Anyway, there are things that easy to share with my
British friends.
|