Title: What Foreigners Need To Know About America From A to Z
Subtitle: How to understand crazy American culture, people, government, business, language and more
By Lance Johnson
Reviewed by Kristin Johnson
Five of Five Stars
As an American traveler,
I have often been asked questions I found difficult to answer. Luckily, there
is a resource, for me and for the people I have met in different countries.
This guide, What
Foreigners Need to Know About America From A to Z, answers questions such as:
what would you do if...
...you were from another
culture and had to negotiate a business deal but you found your American
counterpart direct and rude (especially if you are from Japan)?
...you were a student at
a university baffled by American students who talked back to professors?
..you disliked a
particular food or could not eat it but didn't want to offend your American
host?
...you were courting and
dating an American?
...your friends from
your culture living in the US criticized your attempts to dress like an
American?
...you were invited to
an American's home for dinner in Hawaii* or in the Midwest?
Our world may be global,
communication instant, but this only ramps up (increases) cultural
misunderstandings among cultures. As a businessperson, actor, author, teacher,
and world traveler, Lance Johnson realizes that making sense of our
"crazy" American ways can be a challenge for immigrants, tourists,
and businesses from other countries doing business with their American
counterparts. What he has done in his book America From A to Z is take the
equivalent of several university courses' worth of information on America and
present his information in an informal, conversational one-on-one manner, as if
he were talking to a friend, such as a Vietnamese guide Lance met during an eye-opening
*enlightening) trip to Vietnam.
Each of the book's four
major sections stands on its own (if you are wondering about the construction
of this sentence, check page 477), and depending on what aspects of American
culture you want to learn, you can look at the particular section you would
like to study. Each section is available as its own separate book, but to get
the most out of Lance Johnson's lessons, having the complete book is ideal.
Section I: America's
Heritage
Useful for:
Understanding US History, US Law, US Government (baffling to all), where the
Bible Belt is versus Dixie, the American Dream, contributions of/history of
immigrants as well as Americans of foreign descent (such as Governor Piyush
"Bobby" Jindal of Louisiana), national parks, religion (baffling) and
measurements (an even more baffling subject made simple here).
Section II: America's
Culture
Useful for:
Understanding American painters, writers, sports, film (easily one of our
biggest exports), how to get along in American social situations, greetings,
navigating high school and college, dating/marriage guides, formal to fast food
dining tips, dressing tips, Americans' views on themselves and other cultures,
and foreigners' experience of America.
Section III: America's
Business
Useful for: giving you
all the information to understand how Americans do business (straightforward),
negotiate, hire, fire, do finance, start a business, and so on.
Section IV: America's
Language
Useful for: Foreigners
AND Americans who want to speak better English by avoiding common errors,
learning the alphabet, grammar and vocabulary, learning from famous sayings, understanding
slang and abbreviations, recognizing most commonly used words, and getting
speaking tips (my favorite: "Do not be afraid to try").
Appendices:
--Lincoln's Gettysburg
Address ("Four score and seven years ago our founding fathers...")
--Top 50 Liberal Arts
Colleges in America (#1 Williams College)
--Top 50 Universities in
America (#1 Harvard University)
--Colleges With Largest
Percentages of Foreign Students (New School, NY)
--Sample Income Tax Form
--The Pulitzer Prize for
Literature (1937-2011)
--Academy Awards for
Best Picture (1927-2011)
--Newspaper Column:
"Yes, Virginia, There Is a Santa Claus"
--The 50 US States
--US History Government
Quiz (Hint: You might ask that your American friends take this, too!)
EASY FEATURES
This book has "a ton
of" (many) lists and tables (I counted 278). The lists, tables and charts
make the text easily readable. Another equally helpful feature are the numerous
hints and tips, as well as "Here's an assignment for you" exercises
sprinkled like gems throughout the text.
Some of my favorite
hints...
Hint: As another example
of our crazy language that we discuss in Section IV on America’s language,
coins are minted (made) at the U.S. Mint. Something is in mint condition if it
appears to be brand new. We have a green aromatic plant called mint that is
used in teas and to flavor foods. And we have candy after-dinner mints made
with chocolate and the flavoring from mint plants.
Hint: It is also fine to
bring unwrapped gifts with only a small gift card attached, especially for
items like flowers, candy, and wine.
Hint: Just as women like
men who are confident, most American men like women who are confident. If a
woman is shy and unable to express her opinions and wishes, as some foreigners
can appear to be, she will not impress most American men. On the other hand, if
she is controlling and domineering, she won’t either. Try to strike a good
balance.
Hint: You will learn in
Chapter Y on using better English grammar that we have three levels of grammar:
formal, general, and informal. I suppose you could say we have the same levels
for table etiquette based on who you are eating with. I must admit I do not
practice all of the good manners, especially when I am with close friends or in
a fast food restaurant. Just be aware that the more of our rules you practice
the more favorable you will appear. Over time you will note the manners used by
your counterpart and will see which ones are most important to him or her.
A WEALTH OF INFORMATION
AND WIT
Surveys on American
morals and values reveal our character. Personal stories humanize the American
experience, whether from the point of view of a Frenchman, foreign exchange
students and Muslim-Americans, an Englishman (the delightful Alistair cooke),
or a Vietnamese immigrant as well as a Chinese teacher of English. The message:
We all can learn from each other. This is the most enduring message of the
book, and Lance Johnson's commitment to his vision shines.
This book should be a
staple in: US embassies, foreign embassies in the US, high schools and
colleges, corporate libraries, travel agencies...the surface has barely been
scratched (meaning there's much more to share).
* In Hawaii, if you are
invited to someone's home for a potluck or party it is a huge gesture of
respect and inclusion. In Hawaii social activity typically revolves around the
family (ohana). Ask the host/hostess what you should bring in terms of food.
Take your shoes off before entering someone's home.
~Special Offer:
This book and a Valentine booklet are available as free e-books with only a couple clicks. All you do is go to http://amzn.to/12JoVsa on Jan 13, 14, 15, or 16th and click and then to http://amzn.to/UabAn7 and
click. Both e-books will come directly to your computer or your Kindle.
~ More About the Reviewer:
As a screenwriter, journalist, author (BUTTERFLY WINGS, CHRISTMAS
COOKIES ARE FOR GIVING, co-writer of THE HIGH-TECH GOOSENECK PUTTER), blogger,
award-winning poet/short story writer, and traveler, Kristin Johnson has spent
time in exotic lands such as Cambodia, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Japan,
Taiwan,and Texas (more than a state--a state of mind.) She has also spent considerable time in various Canada locations such as Ontario, Nova Scotia and Prince
Edward Island, and France. She
works on creative projects with people based all over the world. View her
Amazon.com profile at https://www.amazon.com/gp/pdp/profile/A1ZCYC0RHTRMZF?ie=UTF8&*Version*=1&*entries*=0
.
-----
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