101 American Customs: Understanding Language and Culture Through Common Practices

by Joe Kohl and Harry Collis

Book Overview

What is sold at garage sales? Why does no one get wet at a bridal shower? For non-native speakers, here's a humorous approach to understanding common American customs and the expressions related to them. Customs are explained, one to a page, with conversational examples and whimsical cartoons. Topics range from age-old traditions, such as shaking hands and bachelor parties, to more modern American practices--coupon clipping, TV dinners, and tailgate...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0844224073
• ISBN13: 9780844224077
• Release Date: October 1999
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill Companies
• Length: 136 Pages
• Weight: 0.56 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 5.9" x 8.8"

Customer Reviews

The best for non-native speakers

If you really want to undrestand American people you have to read this book. 101 American Customs : Understanding Language and Culture Through Common Practices Jorge Vazquez G

Great coverage

I was pleasantly surprised by this book. It has far more material in it than I expected. There are eight sections: special occasions, courtship and marriage, body language, enjoy, all in the family, let's have fun, red letter days, and the icons of America. Most of them are not customs per say but cultural aspects and oddities. It includes such diverse topics as the tooth fairy, separate phone lines for teens, and demolition derbies. Each topic includes an example of how it would be talked about. There is also a cartoon which is cute but unrelated to understanding the custom. The only real disadvantage is the language level. I would expect a book on this subject to have fairly simple English but this is far from the case. Of bedtime stories it says they "provide the stimulation so necessary for children's intellectual growth." Also some of the explanations don't really capture the spirit of the custom: "Tupperware parties are gatherings where people display and sell versatile plastic products to their friends." I think this definition would greatly puzzle someone who had never been to such a party.