英美概况 教学配套课件 齐智英 unit 7.pdfVIP

LOGO Unit Seven British and American Social Life 《英美概况》 主编：齐智英 Contents 1 British and American Characters and Customs 2 British and American Holidays and Festivals 3 British and American Religion 《英美概况》 主编：齐智英 Unit Seven  7.1 British and American Characters and Customs  7.1. 1. The British Characters and Customs  It is difficult to generalize about the British. The characteristics and customs of the people living in different regions and of different social classes vary enormously. Some of the descriptions which follow are limited to the upper and upper- middle classes, particularly in the south of England. Unit Seven  Exclusiveness  The best-known quality of the British people and, in particular, of the English people is their exclusiveness. This means, “I am English. You stay away from me. I am exclusive. I am quite happy to be myself. I do not need you. Leave me alone.” It is very difficult to know such a man who does not talk much, never says anything about himself, does not show much emotion and hardly ever gets excited. Why do the English people have this characteristic? Perhaps there are many reasons. Of these reasons, two are very important. One is the special geographical location of Britain; the other is the distinct development of its history. Unit Seven  Conservativeness  The English people are generally regarded as conservative. The Americans say that the English people always need 20 or 40 years to do things