Brit-Think, Ameri-Think: A Transatlantic Survival Guide [Paperback]

Jane Walmsley (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 2, 1987

An irreverent and indispensable guide to understanding the great cultural ocean that divides Britain and America.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

An American broadcaster and journalist who lives in London with her British husband, Walmsley observes that Yanks and Brits have distinctly different "attitudes and aspirations." Here she catalogues some of those differences, and the subjects include pets ("What Joan Collins is to Yanks' fantasies, sheepdogs are to Brits' "); humor ("The vastly popular Johnny Carson Show laid a U.K. egg"); sports (cricket is "an exercise of such subtlety that only life long devotees can tell when the ball is actually in play"); consumerism ("British salespeople are very attached to merchandise and try hard to keep it in the store"); and public appeal ("To succeed in America, you have to be 'cute' "). Walmsley also covers sex, death, religion, war, television and ice cream ("the Great Levelerthe Yank version of pubs"). This is a fine, funny guide from a perceptive humorist.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

'Candid and humorous' Washington Post; 'Jane Walmesley furnishes hard and often very funny truths' Philadelphia Inquirer --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Penguin (Non-Classics) (June 2, 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140093672
• ISBN-13: 978-0140093674
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,757,975 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

37 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect as Half of the Whole Picture, July 20, 2004

By 

JR Peterman (Ukiah, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Brit-Think, Ameri-Think: A Transatlantic Survival Guide, Revised Edition (Paperback)

This book by an American born woman who has been transplanted to Britain is a very enjoyable read. Her anecdotal style makes the information fun and fascinating, and her insights invaluable, though one must have a sense of humor about both cultures as she is very tongue-in-cheek. As opposed to most other books I've read on the subject that are almost strictly technical, Walmsley tells the readers in a very conversational style about many differences that wouldn't occur to most travelers - differences in attitude (about sex, gender issues, finance, etc.), values, customs, etiquette and habits; and she may sometimes touch a little on why the discrepencies exist.

Because this is in no way a dictionary style book, she does not offer alternate words, phrases or technical info. Thus, as a supplement, I highly recommend "Divided by a Common Language" by Christopher Davies, who (as opposed to Walmsley) is a Brit who now lives in Florida.

All in all - a humorous, anecdotal insight into two very different cultures. Even though this may not be as technical as some travelers would prefer, the information is crucial for developing a truer understanding than is offered in any travel guide, so do not pass it over for the latter; buy it as well.

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very funny and very true, October 6, 1999

By 

Hugh Mason (Singapore) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Brit-Think, Ameri-Think: A Transatlantic Survival Guide (Paperback)

This book creases me up. As an angry young man growing up in England, it was fashionable to rage against the cultural imperialism of the folks with whom we share something of a common language but actually surprisingly little culture across the water. Now I thoroughly enjoy visiting the US and doing most of my business with Americans - and I put some of the fun and success I've had doing that down to this book. It was bought for me by an all-american gal with the words 'Hugh, read this if you want us get along!" (by the way that's 'get along' not 'get on' - just one example of a potential pitfall for the unwary!). Thank you Marly - and I hereby pass on your commendation to anyone else who's trying to have business or personal relationship across the atlantic divide!

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It's a HUMOR book, y'all ...., October 10, 2003

By 

JennyJuniper "regal188" (NC USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Brit-Think, Ameri-Think: A Transatlantic Survival Guide, Revised Edition (Paperback)

As a Brit married to a Yank, I had to laugh at a few of the customer reviews below. Some people seemed to be very seriously expecting a guide about how to avoid horrible breaches of business etiquette. Just because it has 'Survival Guide' in the title..... lighten up!

Admittedly, it probably is a little dated. I was given my treasured, tattered copy a number of years ago by an Anglophile Yank, and laughed my head off at the very accurate observations. I suddenly understood why my American friends thought I had a 'poor self-image' - they take all that self-depracating humor seriously!