What's up, America?: A Foreigner's Guide to Understanding Americans

by Diane Asitimbay

The second edition of WHAT'S UP, AMERICA? A Foreigner's Guide to Understanding Americans is another frank and fearless look at American behavior based on real questions international visitors ask. Asitimbay serves readers the American apple pie as she did in her popular first edition, but they also get to peek at what lies under the crust in this updated and expanded guide. What's New in the Second Edition The book's second and expanded edition contains updated statistics and features a new chapter on sports called A Game for All Seasons . It shows readers how Americans play sports in schools from elementary school to college level and continues into the professional leagues. Another new chapter takes a humorous look at our health care system in Ills, Pills & Medical Bills .

271 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2004

Reviews

[Jenne · Rating 1 out of 5]

I picked this up because I was curious what they'd have to say about American culture, but it was kind of terrible. Not well-written, way too subjective, and in this weird condescending tone like an elementary school teacher.
Also just confusing and wrong in many places, e.g. "The southern accent sounds like this: 'Y'all want a cup of tea?'"
Not to mention the many personal value judgments, incorrect etymologies, and weird uses of idiomatic phrases.
Verdict: Don't buy this for your visiting foreign friends! I will investigate and see if there's anything better.

[Shataraflowers]

this book show me how much i love my city