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A review by jasminenoack
Watching the English: The Hidden Rules of English Behaviour by Kate Fox
5.0
I read this book because an english person came into the store and bought it, and I figured, I wouldn't buy a book like this on america so it must be good. Now it certainly didn't hurt that John is also English and that Barsby yelled at me for commenting that he sounds like Ringo star (I hold fast he does, this is not a british thing on the basis that I do not think any other people sound particularly like Ringo star,only Barsby). Moving on, basically I read this book and I was vindicated, the book is hilarious, the author spends a good deal of time making fun of bill bryson, which I'm sure he would appreciate and just generally making fun of British people while still managing to sound pompous when discussing how the colonies do it. I thought the depiction of America was commonly very flawed, but it was a small part of the book a contrast not a topic and she has not spent nearly as much time studying it, although her sister is "American" so I forgive her. Just as Bryson cannot get inside the British mind she seems inherently unable to get inside the American mind.
Things I have learned from this book:
British teenage girls are much better (or worse depending who you ask) at losing their virginity than Americans.
England has the highest teen pregnancy rate in Europe.
"come off it"
Growing up in rural New England is a bit like growing up in england sans the class structure and possibly with a slightly less developed sense of humor.
English people are always lying liars.
Upper class english people eat peas in the most inefficient manner possible. honestly chopsticks would be easier.
English men think being born male is a possible sign of homosexuality (okay that is an exaggeration, but basically the only things that appear not to be signs of homosexuality are buying rounds and swearing).
British people do not tend to watch too much TV.
British people like the internet because it allows them to interact with people without interacting with people.
Things not included in this book that perhaps should be:
the british women's obsession with Bingo.
Why it is insulting to be compared to Ringo star.
Pop Idol.
Pop culture generally (sub cultures were included but not mainstream except to say people avoid it. they can't all be avoiding it)
why upper class children have stupid names. Some of the names are included but no explanation of why a parent would name a child Saskia.
all in all worth a sit down.
Things I have learned from this book:
British teenage girls are much better (or worse depending who you ask) at losing their virginity than Americans.
England has the highest teen pregnancy rate in Europe.
"come off it"
Growing up in rural New England is a bit like growing up in england sans the class structure and possibly with a slightly less developed sense of humor.
English people are always lying liars.
Upper class english people eat peas in the most inefficient manner possible. honestly chopsticks would be easier.
English men think being born male is a possible sign of homosexuality (okay that is an exaggeration, but basically the only things that appear not to be signs of homosexuality are buying rounds and swearing).
British people do not tend to watch too much TV.
British people like the internet because it allows them to interact with people without interacting with people.
Things not included in this book that perhaps should be:
the british women's obsession with Bingo.
Why it is insulting to be compared to Ringo star.
Pop Idol.
Pop culture generally (sub cultures were included but not mainstream except to say people avoid it. they can't all be avoiding it)
why upper class children have stupid names. Some of the names are included but no explanation of why a parent would name a child Saskia.
all in all worth a sit down.