USA - Culture Smart!: The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture

I wanted to read this because I like Alan Beechey's novels, and also I thought it would be fascinating, as an American born and bred, to read about a very different perspective on us. I'm glad I did, because it was fascinating, with some solid insights and an entertaining voice.Naturally, the USA is big, and we span quite an assortment of subcultures- all of whom are very good at misunderstanding each other as well as non-natives do! So while the generalizations are true in general, "patriotism" has vastly different nuances and behaviors depending on where you are and who you're with. Similarly manners: I grew up in the northern Midwest, and while we can come across as being rather stand-offish, especially compared to the South, I don't think there's a lot of inherent difference in meaning, just in how it's expressed- which can certainly be confusing! Like, Minnesotan for "Yes, yes PLEASE!!!" is something like "Well, I wouldn't mind." In other words, we and Southerners both have a lot of nuances, and these are frequently diametrically opposed!The brief run-downs of both American history and our system of government were some of the clearest I've ever read, although the latter does not begin to cover the political strife that is escalating currently.Likewise, while we tend to idealize rugged individualism, I'd bet almost all of us are not actually rugged individualists ourselves, and would not actually like it if we had to live thus.One seeminly minor error that I do want to mention, which is especially important for guests to our country to know: Tipping. Tipping in various venues is utterly necessary. The book suggests for restaurants a 15% tip and says that the servers make minimum wge, which they do NOT. They make substantially BELOW minimum wage per hour, rely on tips to fill in the gaps, and this is why in general one needs to tip 20%- and not doing so will lead to prejudice against whatever country the guest hails from.In general, though, this was a fun and educational summarizing of the USA and its people in 164 pages, from a very different perspective. I would love to read more such guidebooks!

Americans with their independence would love to forget who they are. There is nothing like reading a book written about you by a foreigner to remind you that you are an American. These books written for foreigners do an amazing job of describing American businesses protocols and I would recommend them to any American struggling to do business in America.

In general I liked this book. And I like books from culture smart series.But this book about gave nothing really new about US people behaviour and belives.

Great series. i use them at work....and have bought several of their different country guides. they are consistently helpful and easy to read. Recommended for air flights en route to your next adventure.

READ THIS BOOK BEFORE TRAVELLING TO THE USAAll you need to know before arriving in the US. It is a perfect guide for all situations you may face in American soil.

Easy read, accurate assessments of US culture. Nice cross-section of all facets of culture including employment, politics,education, arts and economics.

Not interesting

good explanations

C'est un livre très intéressant, complet de tous les informations sur la vie dans les EU. Si vous voulez aller là, je vous conseil de le lire.

very crisp information....

Klar und realistisch geschrieben. Hilfreich um die Mentalität und Werte von US Amerikaner zu verstehen.Wurde es empfehlen für allgemein Reisende und Geschäftsleute.

Compendio di tradizioni usi e costumi negli USA. Preso per la mia fidanzata, è rimasta soddisfatta, per cui lo consiglio.