The vast majority of foreigners consider Russian girls beautiful. As for other qualities and abilities, opinions differ. Today we will tell you what the British think about us, honestly and without embellishment.
Personal care
Nature has generously gifted Russian girls, and their mothers, older sisters and friends taught them how to properly take care of themselves. Slavic appearance- something that is valued always and everywhere, especially against the backdrop of unmade-up and, at times, uncombed Englishwomen. A girl from Russia does not forget about makeup and manicure even on an ordinary rainy day, and in order to style her hair, she does not need a special occasion or holiday.
Sense of style
A Russian girl carefully chooses her wardrobe. She will never wear a pink miniskirt with sneakers and will not go to the club in winter in an orange top with a low neckline and denim shorts. She has a lot of designer clothes, expensive dresses and brand bags in her closet. She knows what colors are trending now, how to properly highlight her strengths and skillfully hide her flaws, if she has any at all. And of course, business card Russian beauty - heels, and not just 10-centimeter ones.
Sexy Russian accent
Yes, yes, what you are so ashamed of and what you are diligently trying to get rid of is actually your advantage. In the company of British men, a Russian accent is considered the very highlight that will help you stand out from the crowd.
Whoever said that the British have the best sense of humor in the world clearly flattered them. The residents themselves Misty Albion they don't think so. Russians, according to the British, joke better than anyone else in the world. A non-standard view of the world, slight sarcasm even in relation to her own country and the ability to play with words distinguish the girl from Russia.
Love for coffee
A cup of tea with milk is something that an English woman will definitely ask for when she comes to visit, and then she will also inquire about the type of tea that the guy offered her. Russians don’t bother about this, especially since half the brands you know - Lipton, Pickwick or Indian tea “with an elephant” - don’t exist in England at all. But a Russian girl will happily go to a coffee shop, and not to the usual Costa, but to a cozy place like those in St. Petersburg. Inviting a Russian girl to Starbucks means hurting her feelings. So the British young man you'll have to look all over Tripadvisor to find anything worthwhile.
Demandingness
If it’s coffee, then in a beautiful cafe, if it’s dinner, then in an expensive restaurant. No fast food or cheap eatery. Not paying for it in a cafe means looking like a fool or a miser. It’s better not to come without flowers at all, but to give jewelry, perfume and other surprises for the holiday. It doesn’t matter that March 8th is not celebrated in England - if a girl is from Russia, she should receive a gift on this day.
Intelligence further enhances attractiveness. Thanks to school and university, as well as curiosity and a thirst for learning everything new, Russian people know much more than the British and other Europeans. The Russian girl will easily tell you what the Tower is famous for, what happened to Princess Diana and how many kingdoms are part of Great Britain, which will confuse the Englishman.
The British only know what the USSR is from BBC films and TV shows. So any information about the Union, life behind the Iron Curtain and rationed food, even if you only know about it by hearsay, from your parents and grandparents, will be received with a bang and with your mouth open!
It is believed that the character of the English nation was greatly influenced by numerous conquering tribes: the Angles, Romans, Celts, Normans, Scandinavian Vikings, Jutes and Saxons. It is precisely this multifaceted intervention in the life and history of England that explains the special character of the native English: it combines Celtic dreaminess, Anglo-Saxon practicality, Viking courage and Norman discipline.
More than 300 thousand Russian emigrants currently live in Great Britain, and this figure can be increased to one million if we take into account Belarusians, Ukrainians, emigrants from Latvia and Lithuania and some others who prefer Russian to their native language (due to lack of demand) more than English.
What Russians say about Great Britain
At first glance, this country is very welcoming and friendly - even people smile on the streets strangers, every careless action is answered only with “excuse me” or “sorry” and it seems that everyone treats you incredibly kindly.
But such impressions very quickly give way to the true state of affairs: the cordiality of the British does not exist, it is imitated by a polite mask, complemented by endless apologies that fly out of the mouth automatically and do not carry any emotional load. Who even compared the English “sori” with the “red” Russian word, bursting out if, for example, a hammer lands directly on a finger instead of a nail head.
There is an opinion that the majority of Englishmen treat all foreigners with a rather partial attitude: some with sympathy, some with disgust, some even with contempt, while considering their nation the best in the world. As one of the bloggers put it in his judgment about the British, “among British subjects, Russians occupy a place in the ranking of nations next to immigrants from of Eastern Europe, perhaps, giving way only to representatives of African countries and Indians.”
Often Russian becomes the object of irony - a peculiar English humor, which sometimes manifests itself in very unpleasant moments: for example, in banks you can be faced with a mocking offer to cash a check in Russia, and instead of an apartment approved after viewing, you end up renting the wrong one at all.
By the way, about a sense of humor - in England its presence is considered one of the most important human virtues, and therefore everyone in this country tries to show themselves as a person with an excellent sense of humor, which often looks quite ridiculous. The British often plunge foreigners into sincere bewilderment with their penchant for physiological jokes, such as greasy, falling trousers and so on. At the same time, most jokes do not imply a particularly deep context, but rather serve as a kind of outlet for accumulated feelings and emotions. Many English people not only love to make fun of others, but also often laugh at themselves, which contrasts greatly with their stiffness and arrogance.
If we return to the topic of the fact that in the UK Russians are not very favored, then it is worth mentioning that big role Active anti-propaganda about Russia in the media plays a part in this. Many Russian emigrants living here complain that the news broadcast is entirely negative, portraying the Russian person as an ignorant “barbarian” who prefers to earn money through illegal means.
Vladimir Milovanov, who has lived in the UK since 2003, says that in ten years he has not heard anything good about Russia on official TV or read anything good about Russia in official sources. “The minimum information that can be found,” he writes, “is always negative. At the same time, they manage not to talk about what it is impossible to remain silent about.”
All of the above does not mean at all that a Russian emigrant will be an outcast in the UK, although, of course, one cannot count on a warm welcome. At the same time, it is within the power of the person himself to form a kind and positive attitude towards himself, albeit not immediately, but over time. And first of all, you have to start with good knowledge in English– until the ability to speak and understand is brought to the point of perfection, it is practically useless to expect respectful attitude towards oneself.
Despite the fact that the British are a rather closed and delicate people who do not openly demonstrate their emotions, especially negative ones, their attitude towards an educated foreigner is quite acceptable. By the way, the education of the Englishman himself also plays a role: if among the middle class and above it is difficult to find an ardent Russophile, then among the less educated you can find those who believe that the Russians (meaning the hardworking Baltic people) have captured all the jobs.
By the way, among immigrants there is an opinion that Russians in Great Britain are treated with sympathy, which is explained by Russian non-aggression, law-abidingness, hard work and rapid assimilation in this country. But the attitude towards other emigration ethnic groups is much more restless.
About life in the UK for Russians
The majority of Russians in England are middle class, with an apartment or house on credit near the center, work in middle management, a vacation to Europe once a year, and children attending an English public school.
In general, one can speak quite positively about life in the UK - there are a lot of jobs with low earnings and that do not require special qualifications. In this case, the funds received are usually enough to rent a room and food. For many Russians from the Baltic states, especially those who are older, this is quite enough - if you live up to 60 years, you can hope for a pension, which is due even to a person in the UK who has not officially worked a day in his life. Such a pension gives the right to free travel, a free apartment somewhere in a disadvantaged social reservation and benefits.
About the English mentality
The dominant feature of the English character is adherence to tradition. Moreover, the British strive to leave some of their traditions, habits and rituals in their original form in order to retain all the features of gentlemanly behavior. It is interesting that the British find it extremely difficult to part with the past - for them the process of getting rid of old furniture is a certain difficulty, they strive to plant gardens in the same style as their ancestors, and a restrained manner of dressing is characteristic of most British people - regardless of their financial situation.
As for the famous English coldness, it is actually just a special ability of the British to self-control. It is this coldness that is considered the basis of “gentlemanly behavior” and is a characteristic feature of the English mentality. In order to control oneself and wear a mask of equanimity, every Englishman from childhood has to struggle with his own temperament and accustom himself to strict self-control. By the way, an open or uninhibited display of feelings in public is considered in Great Britain a sign of bad manners and greatly affects every British person in foreigners (especially the emotional French and passionate Spaniards).
This is precisely what explains the excessive severity of the British when raising children - they are convinced that gentleness in relation to their offspring does not benefit them. As in everything else, the British treat children with restraint, thus trying to form in them the habit of curbing their own feelings. It is customary for children in the UK to be sent to study close to their parents’ home in order to instill in them independence and responsibility (often in boarding schools and famous schools, where British children are taught fairly strict rules and strict discipline, which, in the opinion of parents, contributes to the education of a true Englishman).
In general, the British are a special nation. In this country, every self-respecting Englishman is obliged to have a hobby - it doesn’t matter in what form, the main thing is that this hobby is brought to perfection. They say: “My home is my castle.” They are characterized by snobbery, arrogance towards other nations and stiffness. They don't share problems or difficulties because it's not accepted. And their main tradition is unwavering loyalty to the monarchy, although the queen has long become simply a symbol of Great Britain.
Your application is accepted
Our manager will contact you soon
Close
There was an error sending
Send again
Whether you like it or not, to communicate with native speakers, good command of the English language is not enough; you also need to be familiar with the culture and traditions of the English-speaking people, so as not to get into trouble by asking a question from.
“The British nation is unique in this respect: they are the only people who like to be told how bad things are, who like to be told the worst.”
“The British nation is unique: they are the only people who like to hear that everything is very bad, and even worse”
~ Winston S. Churchill
The national character of the English people is felt better than that of any other people. There is a sense of superiority in him, which can also be called “island pride”. British patriotism is based on a deep sense of security, in which they, as a nation, have been for centuries.
Appearance and character of a typical Briton
The British are easy to recognize by their appearance and demeanor. And by looking more closely, determine what part of the country this person is from
Appearance of a typical Briton
A middle-aged Englishman is usually tall, his face is wide, reddish (rarely tanned), with soft, saggy cheeks, and often with blue, expressionless eyes. Women, like men, are often also very tall. Both have long necks, slightly bulging eyes and slightly protruding front teeth.
Compared to the English, the Scots and Irish look simpler, but more colorful. Squat with a lively face and a firm gait, the Scots often have thick red hair. Scots usually have light eyes - gray, blue, green. Also, the inhabitants of Scotland are characterized by fair skin, which is not reddened by the cold northern sun.
Scotland has the most high percent red-haired people in the world - about 13% of the population have red hair.
Many often confuse the Scots with the Irish, they say, Irish appearance — it’s bright red hair, freckles and blue eyes. So, this is a stereotype. On city streets you will more often meet guys with dark hair and a red beard. The performer of the role of Harry Potter is a typical representative of Irish appearance: a narrow face, often elongated, sunken cheeks that turn red in spots, not “apples.”
Order and calm
The British value discipline very highly and are considered the most well-mannered and polite in the world. Since the British have a specific politeness, it is often confused with coldness. Violent temperament and ardent passions rage under the guise of coldness and superiority. Principles of “gentlemanly behavior”(exemplary self-control), were elevated to a cult under Queen Victoria, but are still active today.
The British are slow to move and tend to get around sharp corners that they have an inherent desire to be outside of prying eyes, which gives rise to a cult privacy. Sometimes it's enough to watch the English crowd at national holiday or at a football match to feel how the national temperament is breaking from the reins of self-control.
For example, they politely respect and respect their and your personal space, do not poke their nose into your affairs, do not ask questions, even just finding out a person’s name without a good reason is indecently rude.
The English are distinguished by moderation, which they do not forget about both during work and in pleasure.
There is almost nothing ostentatious about the Englishman. He lives first of all and most of all for himself. His nature is characterized by a love of order, comfort, and a desire for mental activity. He loves good transport, a fresh suit, a rich library.
Among the bustle of people, it is not difficult to recognize a real Englishman. No noise or scream will confuse him. He won't stop for a minute. Where necessary, he will certainly step aside, turn off the sidewalk, swerve to the side, never expressing the slightest surprise or fear on his important face.
Naturally, they want to see the same manners in others. Therefore, the best reason to start a conversation with an acquaintance or even an unfamiliar Briton is
Habits and lifestyle of the British
“My home is my castle,” the British joke, preferring to spend their evenings in quiet family circle, discussing the events of the past day in front of the fireplace.
Conservativeness or loyalty to tradition?
The British really appreciate public order and they are never rude. Their passion for gaming is widely known, but despite this, the British are very serious in business matters.
The British are often called conservatives because of their adherence to traditions, which they passionately try to preserve in their original form. But it is this commitment that is most attractive to tourists from all over the world.
In Britain, anything that has stood the test of time is considered a tradition.: rituals and habits, features of life and behavior (for example, green hedges, bright red letterboxes, right-hand drive and left-hand traffic, double-decker red buses, judges in eighteenth-century robes and powdered wigs, fur bearskin hats on the royal guards that they They don’t take it off even in 30 degree heat).
You can find out more about the way of life of the British in the article
After work, residents of England like to spend time in pubs, football matches and various clubs (for example, fans' clubs, gardening clubs). They really like these places, because here they feel more relaxed, make new friends more easily, united by a common interest.
Therefore, today we will try to understand what underlies the attitude of subjects of the British Crown to the population of the Russian Federation. What is it like overall - positive or negative? Isn't it better to hide yours? Russian origin or, on the contrary, flaunt them at every convenient and not so convenient opportunity?
So, if you decide to conduct an experiment by stopping the British on the street and asking them the sacramental question “How do you feel about the Russians?”, It is quite possible that after your victims come to their senses, discouraged by surprise, from their confused speeches it will be possible understand the following:
Confusion
Many English people don't know anything about Russians. Rice. pikabu.ru
The British know little about the Russians. Therefore, the first reaction to your question will very likely be a confused “I know nothing about Russians.”
It's a bit like being casually asked how you feel about the Laotians. Can you quickly describe your attitude towards them? So the British are at a loss.
It is quite possible that in their entire lives they have only crossed paths with a couple of either Russian or “Soviet” citizens (and most Englishmen are unable to make a distinction between Russians and the same Ukrainians - in their minds, everyone who speaks Russian - this is one big nation, including Belarusians, Moldovans, Uzbeks and other immigrants from the post-Soviet space).
Many Englishmen still associate Russia with communism, Soviet Union and the Cold War. It is not so easy to erase the sad Soviet past from the British memory. However, we must pay tribute, most of them do not equate the concepts of “state” and “people”. And even if the British may have a generally negative attitude towards the state, this does not mean at all that such an attitude extends to the entire population of the country. Not at all.
The British are smart and educated enough not to succumb to the propaganda pouring on them from the media, and to form their own independent opinion about events in the world and people inhabiting a particular country.
Yes, the British themselves admit this, and I see it with my own eyes: the British media persistently demonize Russia, creating an image of an aggressive, backward country with a cruel and unpredictable leader. And yet, paradoxically, despite all the efforts and eloquence of local journalists, in general the British sympathize with the head Russian state. They are impressed by the strength and will that Putin openly demonstrates to the world - something that, in their opinion, soft-bodied British politicians lack.
But still, if you ask the British their opinion about Russian people, it is unlikely that they will give you a detailed answer. Russia is too far away and mysterious country to have a clear idea of its inhabitants.
Maybe it's the French neighbors. The attitude towards them is clear and long-formed. The “paddling pools” should be secretly ridiculed and teased in every possible way, something the British have been doing quite successfully for centuries. Or take the same Indians. Although they arrived from afar and look exotic, they are familiar, familiar and understandable. Having not completely gotten rid of their large-scale colonial legacy, the British treat them in a paternally patronizing way, with a bit of sympathy and repentance for their own historical wrongs.
Curiosity
Some English people are curious to know more about the Russians. Rice. wikia.com
One more possible reaction British people may be curious about the news that you come from Russia. This logically follows from the previous point - the British know little about Russia. Outwardly, we look like the Poles, whom England frankly do not like, and we speak a similar language, but if the English are a little tired of plumbers coming in large numbers from Poland, the Russians are still an unread book for them.
It is very likely that you will be asked clarifying questions about where exactly you are from, although it is unlikely that your interlocutor knows anything other than Moscow and St. Petersburg. So, you can take advantage of the moment and arrange a small educational program on the geography of Russia. Moreover, there is a chance that the Englishman’s interest is not purely formal, but quite sincere.
Stories about the climate and harsh Russian winters are always a great success - something that the inhabitants of rainy Albion are deprived of. At the mention of snow and snowdrifts, a spark of envy always flashes in the eyes of the British, although I have no idea what to envy here.
Respect
The British who have interacted with Russians before usually show respect for the Russian nation. Rice. memecdn.com
If the British had the good fortune to communicate with the Russians earlier, and they were lucky to turn out to be decent, educated people, they forever become fans of the Russian nation. You can hear a sea of compliments addressed to you and mentions of the names of famous people from Russia. Most likely, you will be reminded of Leo Tolstoy and Dostoevsky. Particularly advanced ones can go further and, wanting to please you, list the names of Tchaikovsky, Gagarin and Maria Sharapova.
In a word, they will make you understand that Russia has something to be proud of and that you, as its representative, deserve to be treated with respect until you prove otherwise.
Those Englishmen who have gotten to know Russians better note that the initial wariness and severity of Russian people is quickly replaced by sincere friendliness and warmth in further communication.
The British are also pleasantly surprised by the erudition and education that Russians demonstrate - in modern England Few people are able to talk about books for hours.
Sympathy
Russian model Natalia Vodianova with ex-husband- English Lord Justin Portman - and their common children. Photo from uznayvse.ru
As a rule, men all over the world, and the British are no exception, sympathize with Russian women. This sympathy is confirmed by the eloquent statistics of marriages with Russian women. There are countless examples in my environment happy couples Englishman + Russian (read about how to marry an Englishman).
However, I have to note that English women are still less favorable towards Russian men and counter examples I haven’t met a couple (English + Russian) in 5 years of living in England.
English men are very willing to marry Russians, have children with them, and the presence of offspring from a woman’s previous relationship is not a problem for them.
What captivates them? Undoubtedly, last but not least is the external attractiveness of Slavic women. But the main thing is still not this, but the willingness to support your man in word and deed, take care of the farm and home, give birth and raise heirs - in a word, share all those traditional family values, which most normal men dream of since childhood.
From what else appeals to the British, we can mention the sound of Russian speech and the unique Russian accent. In their opinion, the Russian language sounds melodic and provides rich opportunities for the artistic expression of thoughts.
Those who have visited Russia usually note the beauty and grandeur of Russian architecture, and Moscow Metro and is completely considered a work of art - in this regard, Moscow really has something to be proud of: the London underground looks frankly pathetic and dull.
Indifference and antipathy
Political relations between Russia and Great Britain can hardly be called warm. Photo from rt.com
How else can the British treat Russians?
If not with sympathy and curiosity, then with indifference, and in some, fortunately rare cases, with outright antipathy.
The British may be put off by the straightforwardness and even rudeness of Russians, of which the latter may not be aware. Therefore, before communicating with the British, it is very useful to master some basic rules of behavior - I wrote about this in the article “How to communicate with the British: 10 behavioral mistakes.”
Of the qualities that make Russians a generally unsympathetic nation, the British also recall assertiveness and toughness, using such unflattering epithets as “mean”, “blunt” and “tough” (it’s best to look up their meaning in a dictionary).
By the way, about dictionaries: the British are frankly offended by the Russians’ ignorance of the English language. It is difficult for them to understand how their native language can be incomprehensible to someone. After all, nowadays everyone is simply obliged to speak English, period. This is how the British think and therefore are too lazy to learn anything else, but the Russians think in the same way about their own native language. In this sense, our nations are similar.
I would like to finish my story about the attitude towards Russians with the words of one Englishman, giving hope:
“Russians are wonderful people. I would say this: don’t count every Russian bad person just because you know a couple of Russian scoundrels. Personally, I prefer Russians to the British, although I am an Englishman myself.”
Almost every nation has a reputation of one kind or another. For example, it is generally accepted that Russians are generous, sincere, and kind; Spaniards are noble and very proud; the French are amorous, cheerful and frivolous, the Germans are very skillful, but boring; Americans are boastful, energetic, technically minded and at the same time carefree. What about the English? What is he like, a typical Englishman?
Today we will try to figure this out together with you. We will tell you about the morals and customs of the English people, introduce you to some traditions and laws of England, advise you on how to behave in a foreign country and debunk some established prejudices.
We have read many books and articles on this subject. Some of them are full of praise and admiration for this country and its people, others are quite critical; some present a serious examination of the subject, others are merely humorous; some are reliable, others may be erroneous. But they all help us better understand and get to know these people.
But you should not have the illusion that all Englishmen are the same. This is wrong. But we have every right talk about the English national character, because there are certain features and traits that are typical of the English.
The British attitude towards animals.
The British love animals, any kind. The variety of fauna in English cities is amazing. Foxes, hares, raccoons, badgers, hedgehogs, partridges, pheasants and other wild animals live near city houses. Tame squirrels run straight into the courtyards to taste the nuts.
And how many birds there are on the lakes and rivers, the darkness! Ducks and geese fly in flocks, swans swim in families in city ponds, peacocks walk proudly in central parks.
Everyone lives side by side and is happy, people do not shoot birds, do not kill animals, but only feed them and monitor their population. And when they see a person, they rush in a crowd to taste the delicacies he brought. A complete idyll of the urban world and wildlife!
Not only birds in the parks - any living creature in England is accustomed to seeing a person not as an enemy, but as a friend and benefactor.
As for domestic dogs and cats, this is a completely separate conversation.
If it is true that you will not find greener grass in the world than English grass, then it is even more indisputable that nowhere in the world are dogs and cats surrounded by such passionate adoration as among the reputedly impassive Englishmen. For them, a dog or cat is a beloved family member, the most devoted friend and, as you sometimes inevitably begin to think, the most pleasant company.
When a Londoner calls his terrier a favorite member of the family, this is not an exaggeration at all. IN English families pets clearly occupy a higher position than children. It is the dog or cat that serves as the center of everyone's concerns.
To avoid running over a puppy or kitten, a London driver will not hesitate to drive the car into a lamppost or risk his life by crashing into a wall. When walking on a rainy day, an Englishman often holds an umbrella not over his head, but carries it at arm's length so that the drops do not fall on the dog.
A person who does not like domestic animals, or who, God forbid, is disliked by them, finds it difficult to win the favor of the English. And vice versa. If you come to visit and a huge Great Dane joyfully throws its paws on your shoulders, you shouldn’t worry about your soiled suit. From this moment you are a welcome guest of this house. The British are convinced that a dog is able to accurately recognize the character of a person it sees for the first time. There is little doubt that the owner will share both the likes and dislikes of his dog. If the same Great Dane suddenly shows hostility towards one of the guests, people in the house will begin to treat him warily, and it is unlikely that they will ever invite him to visit again.
A person who comes to England for the first time will note how impeccably the children are raised here and how unceremoniously, even impudently, dogs and cats behave. And whether you want it or not, you have to put up with it.
Once sociologists conducted an experiment on the streets of London. They asked different groups of Englishmen the same question. A traveler meets a beggar and a dog, dying of hunger. In his bag he has only one piece of bread, which is not enough for two. Who should you give it to: a beggar or a dog? A continental resident in such a situation will certainly feed a beggar. But all the English were surprisingly unanimous: “What can we talk about? Of course, you need to take care of the dog first! After all, the dumb creature is incapable of even asking for itself!”
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has existed in England for about 200 years, but, for example, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children appeared in this country 60 years later.
The Animal Welfare Society has a very serious material base: 3,000 local branches, hundreds of veterinary clinics, and most importantly, a staff of inspectors whose report can easily lead to prosecution or even imprisonment.
In the UK, requirements for pet owners are becoming more stringent from year to year. Here last news. Owners of fat cats and dogs may well end up in court on charges of cruelty to animals.
A well-fed animal is not a reason for fun and affection. It, like a person, can suffer from all the diseases associated with obesity, including diabetes and heart failure. And its owner is to blame for this - legislators rightly considered.
The penalties are severe: some breaches of the new law will be punishable by a fine of up to £20,000 and up to 51 weeks in prison.
Legislators believe that such measures are fully justified. Those who keep an animal as a living toy or abuse it should be punished in the most serious manner. And who knows, maybe this is what will help them remember the simple truth that “you are forever responsible for those you tamed.” Or refrain from purchasing a pet.
English newspapers are full of articles on how to put an end to whaling, how to save newborn lambs whose skins are used for making karakul from death, or how to persuade English tourists boycott a bullfight in Spain. When Soviet scientists sent Laika into space as a passenger on one of the first satellites, knowing in advance that she would not be able to return to Earth, this caused a truly storm of protests in Britain.
You can't even imagine how difficult it is to adopt a kitten or dog in England.
In this country, there are numerous support centers for disadvantaged animals everywhere, one of such networks is called “Cats protection”.
These are small elongated houses with luxury cages for each cat. Basically, they are kept alone, but in some rooms there are two or three cats, depending on their sociable character and who prefers it. Each suite includes a heated bed, toys for fun and sleep, space for outdoor play and, of course, the necessary food and drink.
People who want to buy a kitten or cat walk around this cat house, look at the animals through the transparent doors and choose the pet they like.
But the procedure does not end there. Now you must answer 60 questions in writing regarding future life your pet. Namely, is your house suitable for a cat to live in, is there a plot of land there for her to walk around, how many children and what ages live in the house, where will the cat sleep, where will she eat, where will she go to the yard, how many toys can you buy? her a month. How much do you earn and what part of your salary are you willing to spend on a cat?
And a special commission will decide whether you are worthy of becoming the owner of an animal.
Then the future owner of the cat signs an agreement, where he swears to properly follow the terms of the agreement, groom, cherish, feed, properly clean up after the cat, and let him out into the yard for a walk. It is necessary to make a special cat hole for her in the door for entry and exit, because the cat is a freedom-loving creature and walks on its own, and not at the direction of its owners.
After agreeing to all the terms of the contract, you will not be able to take the cat home on the same day. If you are lucky, then only after a week an inspector will be sent to you to check the living conditions of the cat.
When he arrives, you will need to prepare all the proper cat supplies: a bed with a soft mattress, bowls for water, milk and food, soft toys for sleeping and playing, a peeing tray and a special training tool for claw points.
The cat representative will carefully check everything and interview all family members. After that, having signed the contract, received the cat’s birth certificate and a bunch of other papers, you need to pay a “voluntary” donation of 50 pounds sterling (about three thousand rubles) for the cat to stay in the shelter. And now you are the happy owner of a yard mongrel cat or dog.
But then, during the year, the inspector must check you 4 more times to see if you are offending the animal. And if the inspector doesn’t like something. Then your pet will be taken away from you and eventually given to another owner.
This is how the British treat animals. And it is not surprising that when the residents of Foggy Albion are asked what sound is the most pleasant and shallowest in the world. 80% of respondents answer: the purring of a cat.
About raising children.
I also really want to talk about raising children in England.
It is customary to keep children strictly, and the higher in society you are, the more strict there is. We often see how in a rich English house, with a huge living room, a gigantic bedroom, a majestic study, the so-called children's room is located almost in the attic and is a miserable closet, and this is done quite consciously, for fundamental reasons, so as not to undead, but to harden.
There is an old English truth - “children should be seen, but not heard.” In English pubs you can often see a sign on the door “No children, dogs are welcomed.”
Deep down, the British are convinced that it is better for parents to be too strict than too soft, that “to spare the rod is to spoil the child” (a common proverb). In Britain, it is generally accepted that punishing children is not only the right, but also the responsibility of parents, that even if spanking traumatizes the child’s psyche, it is ultimately beneficial, and that parents of spoiled children are much more worthy of blame.
So, spoiling children means, in the opinion of the British, spoiling them. And the most striking examples of such spoiled children are, of course, the children of foreigners.
If a child sits on his father’s shoulders or clings to his mother’s hem, if he whines, asks for something, in a word, demands attention to himself, or if, on the contrary, parents constantly turn to their children, sometimes urging them, then pulling them back, be We are sure that this family is not English.
The British believe that the manifestation of parental love and tenderness harms a child’s character, and that kissing a child again means spoiling him. It is their tradition to treat children with restraint, even coolness.
If English child If he decides to torment a cat or dog, if he offends a younger person or damages someone else’s property, he will face severe, even cruel punishment. At the same time, English children are free from petty supervision, which teaches them not only independence, but also responsibility for their actions.
Having barely learned to walk, an English child already hears the favorite phrase in this country: “Pull yourself together!” From an early age, he is weaned from clinging to his parents for comfort in moments of pain or resentment. Children are taught that tears are something unworthy, almost shameful. A baby who cries because he hurt himself causes outright ridicule from his peers and silent disapproval from his parents. If a child falls off a bicycle, no one will rush to him or show alarm about the bloody abrasion on his knee. It is believed that he must get to his feet, put himself in order and, most importantly, move on.
Encouraged to be independent, the English child little by little gets used to the fact that, when experiencing hunger, fatigue, pain, resentment, he should not complain or bother his father or mother over trifles. He needs to be really seriously ill to decide to tell his parents about it.
English children do not expect anyone to cluck at them, indulge their whims, or surround them with immoderate tenderness and affection. They understand that they live in the kingdom of adults, where they are supposed to know their place, and that this place is by no means in the lap of dad or mom.
Regardless of family income, children are dressed very simply - the younger ones wear what was once purchased for the older ones. And at eight o’clock, not only children, but also schoolchildren are unconditionally and uncompromisingly sent to bed so that they do not disturb their parents, who may have their own affairs and plans for the evening.
Spoiled children who constantly demand attention to themselves, constantly asking for something or complaining about something, are a rarity in English families. The child here, from an early age, realizes that the world around him is the kingdom of adults. He is used to being left to his own devices and reminding his parents of his existence as little as possible. While children are growing up at home, they should not be heard. And with school age Ideally, they should not be visible. This is a characteristic feature of the English way of life.
A country where dogs don’t bark and children don’t cry—that’s what I sometimes want to call England.
Commitment to tradition.
One of the main features of the English character is adherence to traditions - many call this trait conservatism. Indeed, the desire to preserve in their original form the peculiarities of life and behavior, rituals and habits, sometimes brought to the point of absurdity, distinguishes the British from all other peoples. But it is English traditions that attract crowds of tourists from all over the world.
By the word “tradition” the English mean something that has stood the test of time and therefore should definitely be preserved, for example: bright red mailboxes, double-decker red buses, fur bear hats on the royal guards, which they do not take off even in their 30s degree heat, green hedges.
The judges still sit in eighteenth-century robes and powdered wigs, and the professors of England's oldest universities wear black robes with scarlet lining and square caps, the royal guards still wear 16th-century uniforms, but none of the English bat an eyelid. Members of Parliament, when reporting the agenda in the House of Commons, put on antediluvian folding top hats, and at least someone would giggle!
Everyone knows about right-hand drive and left-hand traffic. We will tell you about English houses.
Survive in an English house to a normal person, frankly speaking, it is not easy. Mainly because of the cold.
And today, in the 21st century, about a third of English homes do not have central heating. Moreover, their inhabitants often do not strive to acquire central heating. They use electric heaters.
And in cases where there is central heating, the British also use it inhumanely: they set a special mode when the boiler works only a few hours a day - only in the morning, for example, and in the evening. And at night, rest assured, it will turn off. Because it’s already warm in bed under the feather bed, and why heat the room in vain when everyone is sleeping anyway?
Maybe there is some rational grain in this, maybe this results in cost savings, which is always good, of course, and environment this causes less suffering, the ozone hole grows slower, and penguins have a better chance of surviving, but this is somehow little consolation if your nose gets cold in your sleep.
All progressive humanity uses a heating pad exclusively for illnesses. That's why they are sold in pharmacies. In England, a heating pad is a common everyday item (in winter time), each house has a special cabinet where they are stored, each family member has their own, and a few more in reserve for guests. When going to bed, everyone takes a heating pad with them, because it’s really impossible to get into an icy bed without a heating pad, even if you have two pairs of them. wool socks!
The British are sure: “It should be cold in winter, because it’s winter. Winter means you need to wear a warm sweater, preferably two warm sweaters, go to bed in socks. And what kind of nonsense is this, why do you suddenly want to walk around the house in a light shirt or, God forbid, barefoot? What kind of strange fantasy do you have for this?
And all because the British are committed to traditions and religiously observe them, often without any respect for common sense.
There are, of course (very rarely!), houses in England that are warm in winter. Where you can go to bed without wool socks, where steam doesn’t come out of your mouth and the water in the bath doesn’t get cold after five minutes. But on closer examination it will certainly turn out that one of the household members is half French or half Russian, so it will still be impossible to honestly consider this house a real, classic English house.
English plumbing, namely separate taps, causes great bewilderment among foreigners.
This, however, sad fact. The British don't wash under flowing water. To wash your hands, you are asked to plug the sink with a stopper, fill it with water and wash your hands with soap in this water. Then remove the cork and dry your hands with a towel. Without rinsing! The British never rinse anything. They don’t rinse the dishes - they wash them in a plugged sink and put them on the drying rack as is - in shreds of melting foam. They don’t rinse themselves - they just get up from the soapy bath and wrap themselves in a towel. And the hair is washed in the same water, sitting in the bath, and also not rinsed.
That's why they don't have faucets. The bathtub, the sink, and even the kitchen sink will be equipped with two taps, separately hot and cold. And get out as best you can. It is impossible to wash your hands properly, because boiling water pours out of one tap and ice water from the other. But even if you are ready to wash your hands with cold water, it is still impossible - the taps are located so close to the edge of the sink that you cannot get your hand under them.
What should I do? Fill the sink, wash your hands, flush, refill the sink, rinse your hands, flush, repeat as necessary. Hand washing thus takes approximately eight times longer than in civilian life.
We told you about the classic typical english houses. Of course, the younger generation in England is no longer so conservative. Many of them have a warm bedroom, a shower, and faucets. But approximately one third of the residents still live in the old way and are terribly proud of it.
The British have great respect for their history. Museum work in this country is at the highest level, and for good reason. At every corner, around every turn, in every remote place there is a museum, and it is never empty, and it is filled primarily by the inhabitants of the country themselves, who study with constant interest the peculiarities of the life and way of life of their ancestors.
Conclusion.
As he says folk wisdom: “You need to know your friends and enemies by sight.” And indeed, knowing character traits other nations, we can better understand the political and public views their countries. That is why it is necessary to get acquainted with the culture of other peoples, with their customs and characters in order to improve international relations and simply for our own development, as well as so that, by comparing the culture and customs of our country with them, we can change something and improve them.
Since we are very interested in the life, history and people of such a mysterious country as England, we study in depth the culture of this country, the life of the British and their native language. And working on this performance was very exciting for us, and most importantly, useful. We hope that you also found our work interesting, and that someday you will find the knowledge gained today useful!
Bibliography.
- Pavlovskaya A."Peculiarities national character, or why the British love queues”, magazine “Around the World”, No. 6 (2753), 2003.
- Ovchinnikov V.V.“Oak Roots”, “Drofa Plus” Publishing House, 2008.
- Fragments of films by A. Pavlovskaya “England - Russia”, “Oatmeal. sir!”, Center for the Study of Interaction of Cultures, 2005.
