英国文化学期论文

Differences and Similarities of British and American Characters

As the saying goes, each place has its own way of supporting its own inhabitants. Different environment, lifestyle, geography, weather, ideology and history lead to different characters. Such as, diligent Chinese, adventurous Americans, romantic Frances, rigorous Germans and so on. This paper is to have a contrastive study of British and American Characters and find the similarities and differences of these two countries’ characters.

At first, we begin the study with British. British is the first country to industrialize,and English is the language that is used most widely in the world. What on earth is this nation’s character? I’m very curious about this. So I find a few features of British character by information searching.

As a whole, the most significant character of British is conservation. British is symbolized by “John Bull”,and conservation is one of the bull’s characters.

Second, British like solitude and freedom. Many British do the first thing which is put fences around their house when they move to a new house so that they can be isolated from the outside. There is an idiom: Good fences make good neighbors. And Chinese have a similar proverb as well: A hedge between keeps friendship green.

Third, they are cold and detached. British people don’t like talking with strangers. They are hardly excited, and they even look down upon the people who are excitable. Maybe you will never know where they live or what they like, although you work with them for many years. But once they make friends with

you, they will be loyal to your friendship.

Forth, British people are antiforeign and overweening. As many other island countries, British have a island country’s psychology. They also have an deep superiority. “So English!” is the highest compliment When British praise something. And they always say: “Truth on this side of the Channel error on the other.” Wherever they travel or business to, they often check in the hotel where waiter or waitress speak English. And more, Only few British people will to learn other countries’ languages and realize other nations’ tradition.

Fifth, they are humorous. British people laugh at their own fault, failure, awkward situation and even ideal. This sense of humor is not only a joke to make people laugh, but also a attitude of life. They never laugh at other people’s misfortune or failure at any time, so it’s a respectable nation.

Last, British is well famous for their gentleman. Britain has the longest modern public administration system, so everyone behave gently.

Next, we talk about the characters of American. First,It is very important for American to leave a good expression on other people. The real problem which they worry about is being seen indifferent so that they may be isolated . For normal person., it means lonely. For politicians, it means failing election. So American like making friends broadly, and their relationships are always harmonious.

Second, American are independent so that they don’t like depending on others and being depended by others.American parents think that offspring being independent from childhood is beneficial to their social life in the future. But this independent spirit of American may become a tragedy for the old.