13. The English

Almost every- nation has a reputation of some kind. The French arc supposed to be amorous, gay; the Germans dull, formal, fond of military uniforms and parades; the Americans boast, energetic, gregarious and vulgar. The English are reputed to be cold, reserved, steady, easy-going and fond of sport.

The English are a nation of stay-at-home. There is no place like home, they say. And when the man is not working, he withdraws from the world to the company of his wife and children, and busies himself with the affairs of the home. «The English- man's home is his castle", is a saying known all over ihc world; and it is true that English people prefer small houses, built to house one family, perhaps with a small garden.

The lire is the locus of the English home. What do other nations sit around? The answer is they don't. They go out to cafes. For the English it is the open lire and the ceremony of English tea. The English are among the mosi amiable people in the world: they can also be very ruthless. They have a genius for compromise, but can enforce their, idea of compromise on Others with surprising efficiency. They are generous in small mailers, but more cautious in big ones.

14. Americans

What's the difference between an American and a European really? There's the rhythm of life, but one can exaggerate this. In Europe there people who have lived in the same house and been in the same job for many years, and who would hate to pull up their roots and change to something new. That's not the American way of life. They love change, they call it «the spirit of adventure», a spirit that they think is more characteristic of America than of Europe.

There is an interesting remark in a book by an English writer giving what he thought was a reason for this American characteristics: «We in England, and the French, the Germans, the Italians, the Russian, have all got one thing in common - we are descended from the men who stayed behind. In the States they are descended from the folk who moved away.»

And so they still like to «move away», to homes and jobs. They seem to be constantly pulling down old and often quite beautiful houses or throwing away things merely because they are old. They have none of the Englishman's sentimental love for tilings because they are old.

One often hears of the Englishman's «reserve»; how he likes to keep himself to himself. That wouldn't be the case in America.

The Englishman thinks it is ill-mannered to ask personal questions. Hie American doesn't feel that at all. The Englishman prizes privacy, the American prefers sociability.

I he Englishman's suburban house has its little garden with a hedge or a ice all round it to shut him off from his neighbours. The American houses Ve no hedges or fences separating them from the pavement or from each other, ere are none о Г those little shut-off gardens; generally just a strip of grass with Si on it.

With this sociability goes overwhelming hospitality, from the first minute are on «first пате» terms with the people you meet; they all show the test interest in your affairs and ask you to let them know if they can help

U.

I lowever, American society mustn't be regarded as all or one piece. No one knows America even a liltlc would make the mistake of thinking of all

15. Famous friendships

You've often wondered, seeing yet another photograph of Hollywood stars d chummily together in each other's arms, if it's all for show. Sometimes it , but al other times it isn't. Hollywood actors are normal people with normal "Cds — not least of these being the need for friendship. When die stars look for ends, they often find them among, other stars who know all about showbiz pressures.

Danny DcVito and Arnold Schwarzenegger have been friends lor years, despite the height difference played up in the film «Twins». Danny remembers their first meeting, in New York; «1 was with my wife and our children, and we'd had the most horrendous journey from I.os Angeles, a terrible flight, and then hours on the road with the children fighting in the back of the car. By the lime we arrived at the hotel, it was night and we were all exhausted. 1 was just struggling to gel the baggage out of the car and 1 felt a hand on my arm, and here was this «mountain» standing there. He said, uDanny. I think you need some help with the kids». 1 said, "Arnold that's very nice of you". So he helped me out.

Liza Minnclh and Elizabeth Taylor have been friends for years. When Liza was at the depth of her drinking and drug problem, she most appreciated the support of her old friend. «I was feeling really ill. I didn't know what was wrong with mc, so I called up Elizabeth, who is a wonderfully kind and generous friend, and said, 1 feel awful all the lime. I lie in bed all day, ( have no energy. I get up to my show, and then 1 come home and collapse. Could it be some of the puinkillers I'm taking? Elizabeth didn't mess around, she just said, "Most likely it could be. Even if it's not you should investigate it." I did and she was right. ЛИ that time 1 was getting clean, she was very supportive.