home Zoology What is the lexical meaning of the word mercantile. What does a mercantile person mean in simple words. The meaning of the word mercantile

What is the lexical meaning of the word mercantile. What does a mercantile person mean in simple words. The meaning of the word mercantile

Often on the forums (and in real life) you can stumble upon people, mostly young people, who are interested in what the word "mercantile" means. The meaning of this word is easy to explain: from Italian and French it is translated as mercenary, commercial, prudent, petty. Even 25-30 years ago it was almost impossible to meet mercantile people in our country. Probably, the Soviet upbringing and the imposed belief that all people are equal affected. However, it was. It is today that every person has a lot of opportunities to become richer and more successful, but in those days, in order to be rich, they needed to be born, that is, to be the heir to some statesman or a descendant of a noble person who did not lose his fortune.

The way to luxury was ordered to the person from working class. But no one complained, everyone worked, honestly earned a living, and few even suspected that interpersonal relationships can be built based on personal self-interest. Moreover, any more or less materialistic person was despised, mocked at him. It is enough even to recall the hero Savely Kramarov in the old Soviet comedy "Big Break". Of course, he worked just like everyone else, but for the sake of an extra penny, he was ready to hold a large, heavy cylinder of water, even on a dare, as long as he had enough strength.

Today the situation has changed radically, and a mercantile person is no longer considered an outcast of society. On the contrary, the inclination to haggling is actively welcomed, because it is believed that only by knowing how to trade and bargain can one, if not get rich, then, in any case, not live in poverty. Nowadays, everyone is looking for a benefit for themselves in everything: the state appoints a ridiculous minimum wage with crazy taxes that go for no one knows what; private employers seek to profit by any means at the expense of employees; Banks issue loans at unrealistic interest...

And what can we say about interpersonal relationships when a mercantile girl seeks to marry a "major" or, even worse, a rich old man, just not to work and live happily ever after! From childhood, she was “hammered” into her head that the husband is obliged to earn a lot, and the wife to spend a lot. And such a thing as “feelings” is all from the realm of fantasy and fairy tales about Cinderella. The same can be said about friendship. Few people today will be friends "for no reason." Any mercantile person will not even look in the direction of someone whose wealth is lower than his own. And if you ask such a “friend” for a loan, then he will either not give it or give it, but at such a percentage that it will be cheaper to apply for a loan from a bank. Yes, and such people are friends only as long as the friends are doing well. If trouble happens, a mercantile person will not provide help, even moral. It's not beneficial for him.

These people are utterly prudent, mercenary, stingy, greedy. True, most of them prefer to call themselves frugal. The paradox is also that the richer a person is, the greedier he is. Sometimes it comes to the point of absurdity, when he even feels sorry for himself to spend an extra penny, not to mention someone else. He is literally "wrapped" on the benefits, like Uncle Scrooge from the famous cartoon. So money is money, but do not forget that, besides them, there is simply life that tends to pass by or break off at the most inopportune moment. And in old age, it suddenly seems that, apart from bank accounts, there is nothing more to remember.

Commercialism is nonsense or the psychological norm of our time

Commercialism is pettiness, prudence, frugality, which develops into a kind of bargaining. Mercantile we call that person who is preoccupied with material gain, in general, a selfish person.

The modern world provides services to us at every step and immediately announces their cost, people no longer perform selfless acts, they strive to get some benefit for themselves for everything.

Commercialism is a quality that was previously more common in women than in men. Today, almost any person can be characterized in this way, and this is no longer condemned as before. This quality begins to be instilled already “from the cradle”, as they say. That is, parents are very afraid that the child will be "cheated" in the future or that he will not take advantage of all the opportunities provided. In general, such behavior of adults is dictated by harsh reality, and therefore, to some extent, it is quite understandable.

In order to fully understand, consider the essence of the concept of "mercantilism". The meaning of the word is interpreted as "mercenary" and "merchant". The concept came to us from French and Italian. But commercialism in the Russian language is not limited to one interpretation of “self-interest”. A few more qualities are added to it, for example, prudence and frugality. Note that at the initial stage of their development, these qualities are positive and favorably affect the development of the individual. But their hypertrophied form no longer has anything good.

In general, a materialistic person is one who seeks to take advantage of the situation. As you understand, the benefit can be not only material. Moreover, the germs of such human behavior appear in childhood, because much depends not only on the family, but also on the environment.

Analyzing the present and past of our country, let us recall the fact that earlier our grandparents and parents worked even for an idea, they could not receive money and engage in community service absolutely free. No one is saying that we should leave comfortable jobs with good salaries and join the ranks of the idealists. But sometimes it just becomes scary how much the value system in our world has changed. Commercialism is also the fruit of society. If earlier we could say that a woman who is looking for a profitable groom is selfish and prudent, now the search is more favorable conditions labor is also a sign of commercialism.

Take, for example, the modern woman. She wants to marry successfully, so that her husband earns well, has a spacious living space, or, in other words, is completely “packed”. As for the modern man, he seeks to find a life partner who will also be not poor, moderately smart. In addition, she must be a good housewife and an excellent mother to his children. Based on the foregoing, we see that both are mercantile, that is, everyone is looking for some kind of benefit for themselves.

What about the Cinderella story? Have wonderful feelings gone into the background, or even the third plan?

As it turned out, commercialism can be characteristic of every person who has created conditions for this type of thinking. Well, he (or she) has seen enough of films about a rich and beautiful life, but in the end of such films, as a rule, they show how this life can end. But everyone chooses for himself, and you need to pay alone.

Of course, commercialism is a negative quality that deprives us of humanity and nobility. But we choose, and no one pushes us to anything. After all, you also want the best for children, and you should not deprive yourself ... But where is the cherished line that separates us, people, mercantile robots, we do not always know and do not always know how to adhere to it. So think for yourself, decide for yourself!

Mercantile is:

commercialism

commercialism(from lat. mercantile- mercantile, mercenary) - excessive prudence, huckstering, stinginess, self-interest, pettiness (not only from a financial point of view).

Commercialism is formed in childhood, but its appearance can be prevented family education. Commercialism or its absence is influenced by the national-cultural environment. It is believed that modern American culture is most conducive to the development of commercialism.

AT modern Russia commercialism is common among young people - even in the Sergiev Posad region, most of the youth are guided precisely by acquisitive values when choosing a job. It is noteworthy that among the already established Russian businessmen the level of mercantile people is relatively low. He is even lower among the intelligentsia. It should be noted that mercantile people often deny their own greed (this behavior is especially typical for hysteroid personalities).

Some well-known writers addressed the topic of commercialism. N. V. Gogol had an extremely negative attitude towards her.

Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of All Russia

Commercialism (from French and Italian mercantile - commercial, selfish) - excessive prudence, huckstering, self-interest, pettiness (not only from a financial point of view).

Commercialism is formed in childhood, but its appearance can be prevented by family education. Commercialism or its absence is influenced by the national cultural environment. It is believed that modern American culture is most conducive to the development of commercialism.

In modern Russia, commercialism is common among young people - even in the Sergiev Posad region, most of the youth are guided precisely by acquisitive values when choosing a job. It is noteworthy that among the already established Russian businessmen the level of mercantile people is relatively low. He is even lower among the intelligentsia. It should be noted that mercantile people often deny their own selfishness (this behavior is especially typical for hysteroid personalities).

Some well-known writers addressed the topic of commercialism. N. V. Gogol had an extremely negative attitude towards her.

Sadova tanyusha

Meaning
1 history economy adj. to mercantilism, commercial, based on a purely commercial calculation, on the pursuit of immediate benefit ◆ Mercantile system.
2 rev. petty-prudent, mercenary ◆ Mercantile interests. ◆ And everywhere a mercantile spirit. AS Pushkin ◆ He is too mercantile. ◆ Here is the only place where people are shown not out of necessity, where their need and mercantile interest, embracing the whole of St. Petersburg, have not driven them. N. V. Gogol, "Nevsky Prospekt"
[right. ]
Synonyms
trade, commercial, prudent, industrial, merchant, mercantile
petty, mercantile

What is commercialism

MERCANTILITY (from French and Italian mercantile - commercial, mercenary), excessive prudence, huckstering; self-interest.
Synonyms: self-interest, greed, self-interest, mercantilism, non-selfishness, thrift, self-interest, self-interest, greed, money-grubbing, bargaining, selfishness, frugality
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Commercialism - (from the Latin mercantile mercantile, selfish) excessive prudence, bargaining, stinginess, self-interest, pettiness (not only from a financial point of view). Commercialism is formed in childhood, but its appearance may be ... ... Wikipedia
MERCANTILITY - from the word mercantile. Trade, trading spirit. Explanation 25000 foreign words that came into use in the Russian language, with the meaning of their roots. Mikhelson AD, 1865. MERCANTILITY, MERCANTILISM (from the word mercantile). 1) trade, trade ... Dictionary of foreign words of the Russian language
commercialism - selfishness, selfishness, acquisitiveness, bargaining, selfishness, prudence, avarice, mercantilism, selfishness, selfishness, selfishness, selfishness Dictionary of Russian synonyms. commercialism n. , number of synonyms: (13) ... ... Dictionary of synonyms
Commercialism - excessive prudence, self-interest. Dictionary of business terms. Academician. RU. 2001 ... Dictionary of business terms
commercialism - MERCANTILE, oh, oh; flax, flax (book). Overly prudent, mercantile. M. spirit. Explanatory dictionary of Ozhegov. S. I. Ozhegov, N. Yu. Shvedova. 1949 1992 ... Ozhegov's Explanatory Dictionary
MERCANTILITY - excessive petty prudence, extreme frugality, turning into bargaining. Raizberg B. A. , Lozovsky L. Sh. , Starodubtseva E. B. . Modern economic dictionary. 2nd ed. , corr. M. : INFRA M. 479 p. . 1999 ... Dictionary of Economics
Commercialism - (from French and Italian mercantile commercial, selfish) excessive prudence, huckstering; self-interest. Political Science: Dictionary Reference. comp. Prof. floor of sciences Sanzharevsky I. I. . 2010 ... Political science. Dictionary.
commercialism - (from French and Italian mercantile mercantile, mercenary), excessive prudence, huckstering; self-interest. * * * MERCANTILITY MERCANTILITY (from French and Italian mercantile commercial, mercenary), excessive prudence, huckstering; … … Encyclopedic Dictionary
commercialism - well. (stinginess, prudence) mercantilisme m ... Large French-Russian and Russian-French Dictionary
Commercialism - (from French mercantile merchant, selfish, from Italian mercante merchant) greed, prudence, bargaining ... Great Soviet Encyclopedia

MERCANTILITY

mercant and fidelity

Distraction noun by value adj.: mercantile (2*).

Efremov. Explanatory Dictionary of Ephraim. 2012

Commercialism: evil or norm of life?

"Mercantile". We often hear this characteristic in the address of this or that person. And what a sin to hide - in your own address in some cases. Let's see if this word is used in the correct meaning.

Love money or...
The expression "mercantile person" is used right and left, without much thought about the meaning. Usually commercialism is understood as something connected with greed, love of money, self-interest.

But is it so bad to love money in our material world? Is there even one person who does not need money? Is it so reprehensible to act in your own interests, for your own benefit?

If we consider the word "mercantile" in this sense, then there is nothing wrong with it. She simply states the fact that money is one of the main human passions, and also that we all pursue selfish goals. And that's okay.

Nevertheless, “mercantile person” is clearly a negative, disapproving assessment.

… to love FOR money

As always, it's all about the nuances and details. An example is indispensable here.

Example 1. Olya loves expensive restaurants, resorts and luxury cars. This is bad? By itself, no. The question is how she gets it.

Example 2. Olya is friends with Kolya because he takes her to expensive establishments, promised to take her to Courchevel and give her an SUV. Mercantile girl? Definitely yes.

Example No. 3. Olya has real feelings for Kolya, with the same restaurants and promises. Here it can no longer be called mercantile. It's just that the girl was lucky with the boyfriend. Kolya is a good guy.

What conclusion follows from these examples? That loving money, striving for material goods is natural. A mercantile person achieves this by any means, puts material gain above all else.

Strokes for a portrait

From a practical point of view, it is important to distinguish between the manifestations of commercialism, characteristic of most people, and total commercialism. If the first can be attributed to ordinary human weakness, then the second is already serious. As a rule, a totally mercantile person mixes the sphere of personal relationships (friendship, love, communication, help, support, etc.) with the material side of life.

Such a person does not respond equivalently to the disposition, affection and other best feelings of other people, but uses them to solve his financial problems. It is unlikely that he is capable of feelings at all, because close person sooner or later it can become an obstacle on the way to material gain.

So, to recognize such a person will help the following observations:

he subordinates all aspects of life to the material sphere;
ignores the feelings of other people, puts them at the service of his monetary gain;
in the sphere of personal relations, he uses techniques that are more appropriate in commerce (bargaining, dictate of his interests, etc.).

mental differences

Its origin will help to supplement the meaning of the concept of "mercantile person". In the XV-XVII centuries Western Europe developed the philosophy of mercantilism. Its representatives dealt with the issues of the country's wealth, ways to increase it and forms of welfare. Mercantilism and commercialism obviously have a common basis: french word mercantile translates as "pertaining to trade". Over time, the concept of "mercantile" acquired new meanings. This is a merchant, based on monetary calculation, and even mercantile.

Modern synonyms for the word mercantile are selfish, prudent, petty, stingy. However, the attitude towards mercantile people is different in Western society and in Russian. Since mercantilism is a tradition of the Western world, then mercantilism there is treated without negativity. A mercantile person in Europe means economical, practical, pragmatic.

We have a mercantile person - unreliable, ready for a lot for the sake of material gain, including bad deeds. Commercialism in the understanding of our compatriots is a condemned quality. The truth is somewhere in the middle.

How to relate to mercantile people?

The main thing is to understand that we all behave mercantilely in certain situations. When the vital, fundamentally significant interests of any person are affected, he is unlikely to stand on ceremony and give way to a competitor. On the other hand, it is not necessary to make a cult out of commercialism. It's no secret that in modern society there is also such a trend: to achieve material well-being at any cost. We must remember that the rich also cry.

A person who is mercantile to the marrow of his bones is unlikely to be able to experience the best feelings in life - love, inspiration from selfless help to one's neighbor, compassion. Most likely, he will be doomed to loneliness. He will not be loved in essence, but will only be highly valued for a thick wallet.

Most of us almost daily hear or use such a familiar phrase as a mercantile person. But what does it mean? Not everyone knows the true meaning. Let's try to figure it out and state the essence of the issue, in a simple language for the perception of information.

To begin with, let's take a look at the history of the origin of commercialism.

The concept of "mercantilism" was born from the definition of "mercantilism". What is hidden behind this terrible word? Mercantilism is one of many economic theories based on an obsessive desire for state participation in everyday activities. The meaning of the theory is that values, and in particular such as precious stones, gold, silver, have become the main manifestation of wealth. The first mercantilists who appeared at that time declared that the main wealth of a person in this life consists in expensive metal, land and other benefits, one way or another related to finances.

Based on the foregoing, we can safely give a definition that a mercantile person is a person for whom material values come to the fore in life, i.e. are the main motivator. What does the meaning of the word mean, it can be applied not only financially, but also prudently in choosing a life partner, friends, sphere of communication, new acquaintances. We can safely say that commercialism develops in a person from early childhood, and has a strong dependence on national and cultural affiliation.

Ways to deal with commercialism. Are there any? Do you want to change the world? - Begin with yourself!

First of all, it is possible and necessary to fight commercialism with the help of the proper upbringing of your children. No one promised that it would be easy in this life. Raising offspring in itself hard labour, especially in conditions of frequent financial crises. At these moments, you have to save every penny, scroll through all sorts of options for additional income in your head.

How to recognize such a person?

It is hard to imagine how many mercantile people are around us. And among them women, as long-term statistics show, are still more than men. Let's find out with you the defining features characteristic of mercantile behavior:

constant search and change of job, in order to find a better paid one;
it is unlikely that a mercantile person will make his choice in favor of a financially insolvent person, as a life partner;
Mercantile people never do anything for free. They are accompanied by the rule in life: "bash on bash";
people who have the quality of commercialism in their character are always and everywhere interested in the financial condition of the people around them, even without always noticing it themselves;
in the above category of people, always life goals, dreams, aspirations for something, are associated and usually accompanied by huge financial costs;
a mercantile person very often complains to the people around him about his unstable or poor financial situation.

What danger is fraught with commercialism?

Initially, it may seem to someone that being mercantile in modern world- this is quite normal and even inalienable, because people need money and are in the first place in the list of the most important needs. But it's no secret to anyone that even for a very large amount it is impossible to buy love, health, friends, family, and many others. life values. And when a person constantly stays only in search of benefits for himself, then often he does not notice the most important thing, and if he suddenly notices, then unfortunately it is too late.

Commercialism is a guide of people to loneliness. The reason for this is the lack of a partner who would meet all the basic requirements and satisfy all the selfish needs of a mercantile partner, who sooner or later is caught in self-interest and subsequently left alone with his problems, which are his usual way of life. Commercialism absolutely deprives a person of the joys that we encounter daily. Whether it's sunrise, fresh snow, a rainbow after rain, children's laughter, the smile of people close to us. It fences off everything beautiful with an impregnable wall and turns life into torment, into which such people, without realizing it, push themselves.

Commercialism is a serious shortcoming that should be eradicated as soon as possible. And mercantile people should not be allowed into your circle of friends. It’s just worth a moment to think about what values the life of mercantile people revolves around and what awaits them next? ...