An American in Britain

One of the charms of the British is that they have so little idea of their own virtues, and nowhere is this more true than with their happiness. You will laugh to hear me say it, but they are the happiest people on earth. Honestly. Watch any two Britons in conversation and see how long it is before they smile or laugh over some joke or pleasantry. It won't be more than a few seconds.

And the British are so easy to please. It is the most extraordinary thing. They actually like their pleasures small. That is why, I suppose, so many of their treats-teacakes, scones, crumpets, rock cakes, rich tea biscuits, fruit Shrewsburys – are so cautiously flavourful. They are the only people in the world who think of jam and currants as thrilling constituents of a pudding or cake. Offer them something genuinely tempting — a slice of gateau or a choice of chocolates from a box - and they will nearly always hesitate and begin to worry that it's unwarranted and excessive, as if any pleasure beyond a very modest threshold is vaguely unseemly. 'Oh, I shouldn't really,' – they say. 'Oh, go on,' you prod encouragingly.

'Well, just a small one then', – they say, and dartingly take a small one, and then get a look as if they've done something terribly devilish.

All this is completely alien to the American mind. To an American the whole purpose of living, the one constant confirmation of continued existence, is to cram as much sensual pleasure as possible into one's mouth more or less continuously. Gratification, instant and lavish, is a birthright. You might as well say 'Oh, I shouldn't really' if someone tells you to take a deep breath.

I used to be puzzled by the curious British attitude to pleasure, and that tireless, dogged optimism of theirs that allowed them to attach an upbeat turn of phrase to the direst inadequacies. - 'well, it makes a change', 'mustn't grumble', 'you could do worse', 'it's not much, but it's cheap and cheerful', 'it was quite nice really' but gradually I came round to their way of thinking and my life has never been happier.

I remember finding myself sitting in damp clothes in a cold cafe on a dreary side promenade and being presented with a cup of tea and a teacake and going 'Oh, lovely!', and I knew then that the process had started. Before long I came to regard all kinds of activities - asking for more toast in a hotel, buying wool-rich socks at Marks & Spencer, gelling two pairs of trousers when I really only needed one – as something daring, very nearly illicit. My life became immensely richer.

Text 4

Read the following text. Identify the key sentence of each paragraph. Put down key words of each paragraph. Ask 5-7 questions on the text.

The United States is not a “Melting Pot”

Many people believe that the United States is a mixture of many different cultures without a dominant or mainstream culture. The metaphor which is often used to reflect this assumption is the "melting pot." People from around the globe bring their cultures here and throw them into the American pot. The mixture is stirred and heated until the various cultures melt together. There is some truth to this idea. The U.S. is a culturally diverse society. However, there is also a dominant culture and immigrants became a part of this culture by giving up their differences so that they could fit into the mainstream of the society. A more historically accurate metaphor is that the U.S. has had a cultural "cookie-cutter" with a white, Anglo-Saxon, Protestant, male mould or shape.

Some people think of the United States as simply another European culture. But, the first immigrants who came to America in large numbers were not "typical" Europeans. Many were fleeing Europe to avoid religious or political oppression. Others were criminals who were sent to the "New World" by the British. Most of these immigrants had values and beliefs that were not at all common in Europe. They arrived in an area of the world where their values and beliefs were very highly rewarded or reinforced. Some social scientists would even claim they were exaggerated and perpetuated in America because of its unique physical and social environment.

The need to feel we are all one big family - a collective - may be even greater in the US because of the overemphasis on individualism. Consequently, during times of national holidays or international crises, Americans come together with great strength and unity. Patriotism in the U.S. is very important and it is often referred to as America's "civic religion." And, as with people who convert to a religion, immigrants are often more fanatical about their allegiance to America and its values than natives of the U.S. Rugged individualism in America has meant that many elderly would rather live alone - self-reliant and independent - than rely or depend upon their children. Many of young people may have difficulty co-operating with others and forming intimate relationships because they cannot stop competing as individuals. Siblings and friends, even husbands and wives, sometimes compete with each other. Today, this form of competitive individualism may be excessive and counterproductive. It may have a very negative impact on the psychological well-being of our families. After the year 2000, we may have to depend and rely upon our family members to provide economical and psychological stability and support.

Americans love modern-day science fiction cowboy movies. However, in the economically and politically interdependent world that we live in, cowboys may be dangerous. Perhaps in the new millennium, Americans need to balance their overemphasis on individualism and competition with collectivism and co-operation.

1. Reproduce the parts of text in which these words and phrases are used.

A mixture of many different cultures, "melting pot.", a culturally diverse society, to avoid religious or political oppression, the overemphasis on individualism, rugged individualism, intimate relationships, competitive individualism, the new millennium.

2. Complete a table.

American Cultural Values
Positive Aspects	Negative Aspects

Text 5

Read the text. Summarize each paragraph in one sentence. Write down 15 statements (both true and false) and let the class identify them and correct the false ones.