What's Up America?: A Foreigner's Guide To Understanding Americans

By Diane Asitimbay

Now in a completely updated and expanded edition, What's Up, America? A Foreigner's Guide to Understanding Americans takes international newcomers on a tour of the real U.S. by answering some of their... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0975927604
• ISBN13: 9780975927601
• Release Date: October 2004
• Publisher: Culturelink Pr
• Length: 214 Pages
• Weight: 0.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.5" x 0.5" x 5.5"

Customer Reviews

Entertaining and Illuminating - for visitors and citizens!

This breezy book skips, digs, and zooms across the United States' cultural landscape. The author, an ESL college instructor, entertains readers with unconventional insights based on census figures, national surveys, and personal experiences. Sometimes provocative, often witty, and always direct, the book deserves a wide readership among visiting students, recent immigrants, and American citizens. Of course, being a college instructor, I try to resist the considerable appeal of the broad generalizations, but these snapshots of "typical Americana" illuminate the nation's many eccentric traditions, habits, and lifestyles with humor and style. Easier to read than David Brooks or Bill Bryerson, this accessible book fills a niche between popular culture and the academic world. Call this sociology light with a comic twist. I strongly recommend this clever book of accessible, enjoyable cultural criticism. Perfect for a beach day - or gift to a friend traveling to the United States for the first time.

I have learned a lot from tis book too

This is a witty, comprehensive, and carefully researched book. The author's experience with different cultures and her deep understanding of her own culture makes for fascinating reading for both international people and Americans. I consider it a long overdue exposé of American behavior because Asitimbay is fearless in the issues she covers--they are the very same topics we are afraid to discuss in public. For example, the author explores how we self-identify ourselves in the U.S., both racially and ethnically, versus how our government categorizes us. When Asitimbay reveals the various ways we practice our patriotism and religion in the U.S., she clearly breaks new ground as a cultural commentator. In addition to being an important book from a sociological standpoint, What's Up America? is also a beautifully written one. It will appeal to readers of many backgrounds because it is so easy to read. --Dr. Omar Ayed Professor of Sociology, Queensborough Community College and St. John's University, New York

An extremely useful guide for foreign travelers or exchange students visiting America

What's Up America? A Foreigner's Guide to Understanding Americans is an extremely useful guide for foreign travelers or exchange students visiting America, as well as American hosts who may not be aware of the unconscious, ingrained aspects of their culture that their foreign guest will have to adapt to. What's Up America? succinctly summarizes in plain terms the broad history, unwritten social mores, and generally accepted rules of conduct in American society, in particular emphasizing both the difference between American society as it really is versus how it is portrayed in TV and movies, and particular American language idioms that may be confusing to a non-native English speaker. Chapters cover dating, religion, eating habits, economic and business customs, and much more. Though especially intended for foreign travelers, What's Up America? is fascinating reading for Americans as well, since it gives a no-nonsense, plain-terms summary of America's modern culture, revealing subconsciously internalized forces that drive us in spite of ourselves.

An Excellent Book- My Review

"The way the author describes American culture by showing the similarities and differences between American, Asian, Latino, and European practices, will undoubtedly help the international newcomer in America. By explaining the peculiarities of Americans and the reasons behind their actions, the book helps to dismantle misconceptions and attitudes found among foreigners. The author picks out and engages in the nuances of American behavior that Americans themselves rarely notice, but which foreigners can easily distinguish." -Annie, Chinese-American

A Rare Insight into American Culture

This book presents an insightful look into the hearts and minds of Americans. It comprehensively presents the nuances of American culture that would take one years to figure out for oneself, making it an indispensable tool for visitors to the United States. At the same time, its objective layout presents Americans with a systematic analysis of their own culture. If you ever wondered how you may be perceived by the rest of the world, or how the American culture differs from others, this book has the answer! Overall, it makes for delightful reading.