British, American and Ukrainian Characters. Overcoming Stereotypes.

In the modem world people of different nationalities often come into contact with each other. To benefit from such contacts both sides should be free from prejudices and stereotypes.

National stereotypes may breed dislike or distrust of a person, group or even the whole people. As national stereotypes are based on ignorance, fear or false information they may be overcome by quality education or through personal observations of people and their manners. Quality education provides people with the knowledge of others that dispels prejudices against individuals. Thanks to quality education, travel and unbiased observations one gets to know generalized characteristics of different people that make their behaviour predictable and understandable. For example, one will do well to know that the English are a people that cannot be rushed, i.e. the English, as a rule, don't allow others to impose on them, their views, ideas or opinions. They are distrustful of extremes and resentful of interference. The English believe in themselves. They have not got the inferiority complex and are indifferent to what other people think of them. That is why they run themselves down, treat themselves with a sense of humour and dislike boasting.

The Americans, on the contrary, take pride in their achievements, and want others to admire them, to approve of them. They are cheerful, easy-going, keep on smiling no matter what challenges they face up to. The American character is optimistic and ambitious. The Americans are fond of great schemes, big sizes, open spaces, high speed, innovations and changes. They are quick on the uptake, pragmatic and efficient. The Americans are apt to change their occupations, and places of residence. They are on the move to avoid getting into the rut.

Unlike the Americans, the Ukrainians are not given to sudden changes in their social, professional and personal lives. They value stability, continuity and predictability. The Ukrainians are inclined to stick to what they have got for fear of losing the little they have. The Ukrainian character is inflexible, and dogmatic, softened by a saving sense of humour and good – natured friendliness. It takes much persuasion to make Ukrainians adopt new notions, ideas, innovative methods and reforms.

So these are some salient national characteristics to be reckoned with while dealing with Britishers, Americans and Ukrainians.

to benefit from – извлекать пользу; to impose on smb. - давить на кого-л; inferiority complex – комплекс неполноценности; to be quick on the uptake – быстро соображать; to get into the rut – идти по накатанной колеи, поступать привычным способом.

Economy of the United States

The economy of the United States is the world's largest national economy and the world's second largest overall economy, the GDP (Gross Domestic Product Внутренний валовый продукт) of the EU being approximately $2 trillion larger. The U.S. is one of the world's wealthiest nations, with abundant (богатый, обильный) natural resources, a well-developed infrastructure, and high productivity. The U.S. is the world's third-largest producer of oil and second-largest producer of natural gas. It is the largest trading nation in the world. Its four largest export trading partners are as of 2011: Canada, China, Mexico and Japan.

The United States has a mixed economy and has maintained a stable GDP growth rate, a moderate unemployment rate, and high levels of research and capital investment. It has been the world's largest national economy (not including colonial empires) since at least the 1890s. As of 2010, the country remains the world's largest manufacturer, representing a fifth of the global manufacturing output. Of the world's 500 largest companies, 132 are headquartered in the United States. This is twice the total of any other country. The labor market in the United States has attracted immigrants from all over the world and its net (чистый) migration rate is among the highest in the world. The U.S. is one of the top-performing economies in studies such as the Ease of Doing Business Index, the Global Competitiveness Report, and others. The United States is ranked first globally in the IT (Information Technology) industry competitiveness index.

About 60% of the global currency reserves have been invested in the United States dollar, while 24% have been invested in the euro. The country is one of the world's largest and most influential financial markets. The New York Stock Exchange (formally known as NYSE Euronext) is the world's largest stock exchange (фондовая биржа) by market capitalization. Foreign investments made in the United States total almost $2.4 trillion, which is more than twice that of any other country. As of 2010, the European Union as a whole was the largest trading partner of the U.S., whereas Canada, China, and Mexico were the largest individual trading nations.