Kallisti,
Why does the concept of "national mentality" unethical in the using to european nations.
1) the common information space (radio, internet, TV- the using the same information agency)
2) the same degree of penetration the world's cultural products - (kino, music, film and music festivals, the art - exibitions, days of world nation's culture etc.)
3) the interpenetration european cultures, erosion of national cultural characteristics, caused by extensive migration of people within the EU (visa-free policy)
4) the dominant Christian religion in Europe
5) the recognition and acceptance of common philosophical thinkers, their inclusion in the humanities educational programs of European universities.
6) the unification education, the using of the world's scientific achievements and knowledge.
7) The adoption of and adherence to the convention of "human rights".
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This all cause to the common way of thinking independently of the language in which these ideas are expressed.
You can refer to the national character traits towards to underlining the temperament, but it will unfairly and no polite way!
For example (sorry, it's theoretically only), If we'll say the Gypsies are thieves, it will not true! In the Czech Republic theft is thriving! I think in Germany there are thefts enough too and the Germans, going away on vacation, will not leave the house open more as it was done your grandmothers and great-grandmothers ( sorry, it's complaints from my German ex familiar).
On the contrary, If we'll begin to assert and to allocate that one or the other nation has such qualities such as punctuality, honesty, love of order, etc. This means that the neighboring nation does not possess them, and it sounds insulting already...
Given all the above, the habitual crushing of a common European mentality on narrow national I consider as unethical and wrong.
I still don't see any special qualities of Germans, which would dramatically affect to the nation's way of thinking.
Give me, please, at least one argument, which make me agree to say: "Yes, it belong to the German mentality only!"