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English- Speaking Countries: Culture and Traditions

The word '‘culture” has different meanings. It often refers to music, literature, art, and higher education. It also means the customs of a society and the way in which people interact with each other.

Every culture has certain basic ideas which everyone takes for granted. These are fundamental things that everyone “knows” from his or her childhood, and which are automatic to the people who live in that culture. They include everything — from the common courtesies and details of daily life to the deeper issues of a person’s place in society, of family, of life and death.

When a person enters a new' culture, the basic customs and ideas that he or she automatically accepted may no longer be true. The person faces a new set of customs and attitudes to try to understand. Let us learn some elements of English-speaking countries’ culture and traditions.

Introducing yourself there is very simple: you give your name, where you live and your occupation. In a formal situation use your first and last names. At a party or in a social setting, use your first name only. Men are introduced to women, young people to older ones, old friends to newcomers, and young girls to married. Usually women are not presented to a man.

When introducing somebody one says something like: “Mrs. Smith, may I introduce Mr. Brown” and then turning to Mrs. Smith simply says “Mrs. Smith”. The usual response to the introduction is “How do you do?” which is a kind of greetings and not a question, and the best reply to it is “How do you do?” One can say something less formal: “Nice to meet you,” “I am glad to meet you,” or “Happy to have met you.” If you do not know a person’s name, say “Sir” to a man or “Madam” to a woman. If a lady’s marital status is unknown, she should be addressed as Ms [miz]. However, it would be much more civilized to learn a person’s surname and say: “Nice to meet you, Ms. Brown.” People usually shake hands firmly especially when formally introduced, but they do not always shake hands with people they see often.

Certain types of behavior are expected in English-speaking countries. American identity is much bound up (связана) with home origins. Conversations between two Americans meeting abroad will commonly include an early focus on the home states or colleges, whereas this is unlikely with two Britons (assuming (при условии) they talk to each other at all). Nicknames are much more often used in the USA than in Britain.

People in both countries consider time as an expensive object or material. They talk about it in many different ways. They save it, waste it, spend it, kill it. They have free time, leisure time, spare time. They invest in it and carefully budget (планируют) it. Then never be late. It is not the custom to drop in on acquaintances (заглянуть к знакомым) without calling. Be polite and friendly in public places. Phrases like “Excuse me” and “I am sorry” are used far more frequently than in Russia. People there are also very concerned (озабочены) with grooming (уходом за собой). Daily showers and a fresh set of clothes are the norm. Never ask a person about his\her age. Smile and people will smile with and to you.

 

II. Ответьте на вопросы

1. What are the two meanings of the word “culture”?

2. Does every culture have certain basic ideas which everyone takes for granted?

3. What do certain basic ideas include?

4. May the basic customs and ideas be no longer true when a person enters a new' culture?

5. How do you address the strangers?

6. Introduce yourself formally?

7. Introduce yourself informally?

8. What is American identity much bound up with?

9. Are nicknames much more often used in the USA or in Britain?

10. How important is time for the British?

11. Is it necessary to make appointments in Russia? When is it necessary'? When isn’t it necessary?