Cultural Stereotypes Britain Vs Usa

454 Words2 Pages
Do you think cultural stereotypes may sometimes be good for intercultural communication or do they just hinder cross-cultural contacts? I believe that this issue is a double edged sword. On the one hand, undoubtedly, the knowledge of stereotypes helps a lot in intercultural communication and can help to make it more successful. Due to certain stereotypes, one can learn a lot about the interlocutor and build the successful communication with him. To illustrate clearly my point of view I have decided to analyse the most famous and sometimes rather absurd stereotypes. For example, there is a stereotype that the British are quite reserved, conservative, and sometimes even secretive people. Thus at the first meeting with the Englishman one should not, for example, kiss him twice (as it is usually done in Spain); one should not ask his interlocutor about his or her personal life and should not stand too closely when talking to him, so as not to violate the private space of the person and not make him or her nervous. But cultural stereotypes may sometimes hinder cross-cultural contacts. One should always distinguish between stereotypes and prejudices. For example, for some reason, many people believe that in Russia there are wild bears walking along the street in all the cities. Unfortunately, this statement is quite serious. When we lived in Spain, many Spaniards - not only youth but adult educated people who have never been to Russia - have asked us how we can survive in such a dangerous, wild country, where bears roam the streets and whether we are not afraid to go out for evenings. And when we have replied that we have only seen bears in the circus, and that these rumours are a myth, they were very surprised and did not seem to believe us. Another famous prejudice, or as it is sometimes is called autostereotype, is that the British are willing to talk about the
Open Document