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The Xenophobe's Guide to the Americans by Stephanie Faul A guide to understanding the Americans which dispels or confirms preconceived
prejudices with humour and insight.
| Friends without friendship |
| Americans are friendly because they just can't help it; they like
to be neighbourly and want to be liked. However, a wise traveller realises that
a few happy moments with an American do not translate into a permanent commitment
of any kind. Indeed, permanent commitments are what Americans fear the most. This
is a nation whose fundamental social relationship is the casual acquaintance.
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| It's not a 'good day' unless it's a 'good hair day' |
| When asked in a survey what they notice first in a potential mate, the
answer from both men and women was hair. Having good hair is more important than
having a college education or a happy family. |
| Americans shoot from the lip | | American speech is remarkably straightforward. They tell it as it is,
even when it's not a particularly good idea to do so. Linguistic subtlety, innuendo,
and irony that other nations find delightful puzzle the Americans, who take all
statements at face value, weigh them for accuracy, and reject anything they don't
understand. |
| Always aim to win | | Winning is central to the American psyche. As American football coach
Vince Lombardi put it, 'Winning isn't everything. It's the only thing'. Virtually
every event in American life, from school graduation to marriage to buying an
automobile, is structured so that one party wins, or at least comes out looking
better than any of the other participants. |
| An excellent
cure for national chauvinism. This is a book to give to your solipsistic acquaintances
who think the United States is the centre of the universe. From her opening observation
that Americans are like adolescents, to her analysis of American materialism and
underlying insecurity and her samples of American English, the author maintains
a consistent balance between humor and truth. |
| San Francisco, California |
| This
is a great gift to give to someone coming to America or to a foreigner living
in the US. This little book irreverently captures what is unique about American
life - a topic that others have struggled with, starting with de Toqueville in
the 1800s. I just wish the author would now do one just specializing in Southerners!
I have read two other books in this series - one about the Swiss, one about the
Germans -and they are just as accurate and funny. These little books take no more
than an hour or two to read. | | Rome, Georgia |
| This
book is an excellent combination of humour and irreverence. It accurately captures
how a lot of us non-Yanks view Yanks :-) Non-Yanks will find themselves rolling
on the floor laughing at the incredibly accurate and witty observations of the
author, most of which they would have made themselves at some time but unable
to compile or put to paper in such an intelligent and well-written manner. Yanks
should read this concise paperback to understand how the rest of the world views
them. I'm sure they'll see the humour in the observations. I own eight of these
'Xenophobe's' guides and think they're all hilarious. |
| Boston, Massachusetts |
| A
humorous and irreverent overview of the American people, American customs and
other things American. It is short, and would be a good gift for someone moving
to America. Americans will find it interesting, amusing, and, for the most part,
accurate. | | Houston, Texas |
| An enlightened
new series, good natured, witty and useful. The Xenophobe's Guides to different
nations deserves a real cheer. | | The European |
|
Each book is an entertaining essay on the failings, foibles and good points of
their subjects. Their humour is relaxed and gentle and it would be a sour, churlish
native of a subject country who would object seriously. |
| The Northern Times |
Nationalism
and Identity
Character
Attitudes and Values
Happy Families
Manners
and Behaviour
Leisure and Pleasure
Drinking and Eating
Custom and
Tradition
Sense of Humour
Culture
Systems
Culture
Systems
Business and Commerce
Government
Language | |
| 
| Author:
Stephanie Faul
|
| Format:
96
pages, pb |
| Published:
01/03/08 |
| Updated:
New Edition |
| Price:
£4.99 |
| ISBN-10
& ISBN-13: 1-906042-19-5 |
|
