- Hardcover: 208 pages
- Publisher: Saint Martin's Griffin,U.S. (1 Sep 2006)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0312336659
- ISBN-13: 978-0312336653
- Product Dimensions: 21.1 x 14 x 2.5 cm
- Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 840,094 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- See Complete Table of Contents
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More About the Author
Product Description
Kate Fox, authot of Watching the English.
A godsend to Americans trying to negotiate the minefield of British life.. .
Product Description
How do you respond to a dinner invitation that said "Eight for eight thirty"? What might induce you to get off a London train at a place called Mud Chute? And why do the Brits keep saying "Who's she, the cat's mother?" "Rules, Britannia" is an invaluable resource for Americans who want to make a smooth transition when visiting or relocating to the UK. It is an entertaining and practical insider's guide containing scores of established do's and don'ts from across the pond that only a Brit would know: showing two fingers doesn't mean "peace" in the UK; when driving, never turn on red and for heaven's sake, keep left; and, don't stress over the salad plate. Covering such essential topics as vocabulary, house or "flat" hunting, business culture, child-rearing, and even relationship etiquette, this book will lessen the anxiety that comes with a trans-Atlantic move or extended visit, while giving the reader a leg up on the advanced communication ladder.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1.0 out of 5 stars
Absolutely Useless,
By
This review is from: Rules, Britannia: An Insider's Guide to Life in the United Kingdom (Hardcover)
I was put off by this book from the first pages. I am a US citizen living in Switzerland and considering a move to the UK. I travel to the UK often on business as I have a staff there and have many UK friends and acquaintances. There are many differences between our cultures. However this book focuses on the most trite aspects such as American English words that Brits find offensive. Nonsense. If Brits talked like us, and us like them, there would be no fun. It is the colorful slang that most endears us to one another. The Author advises we will be run off for such vulgarity. I never met a Brit who did not relish vulgarity. Have you ever seen British humor on TV? Further, the Author may not realize it...but she does not like Americans. Everything is imbued with how the Americans do it wrong, and the Brits do it right, and pretty much how vulgar and stupid we are. Yeah. This has to be the most mundanely written, gathering of useless and misguided information, that I ever purchased. In fairness, I did not get past chapter three. It was too painful. Perhaps there is a later renaissance, but I could not get there.
2.0 out of 5 stars
A working class manual,
By
This review is from: Rules, Britannia: An Insider's Guide to Life in the United Kingdom (Hardcover)
Although a good beginners guide to life in Britain it focuses far too much on the author's personal upbringing which is in some cases far removed from the life of the average British person. In addition to this it is all to clear what prejudices Hargis holds; she mocks and misunderstands the customs of (British) people who are different from her.However these issues could be easily resolved, especially if a co-writer from a different part of the country was ask to contribute their experiences. The tone is overly conversational and the author continously tries to speak directly to the reader with the use of brackets (do you know what I mean?). The first chapter is especially bad for this and would benefit from being revised. Moreover, the information is somehwat out of date. Although the British have not in themselves changed much in the last couple of years what it kept in their homes has.
5.0 out of 5 stars
British Manners and More: Britain Under the American Microscope,
This review is from: Rules, Britannia: An Insider's Guide to Life in the United Kingdom (Hardcover)
What I found intriguing about this book is finding how us, the British, are described to Americans.I was beguiled by the descriptions and liked the handy British-American, American- British translations at the end of each chapter. I now know what "silverware" means (cutlery) and why Americans tend to talk loudly. (This comes in really handily as an owner of a B&B on Hadrian's Wall and guiding international tourist groups along the Wall.) Books which describe varying cultures are always a godsend and this one is no exception. Think of it as an American/British dictionary with advice on how to behave when in Britain. It can be read by Brits or Americans alike. I particularly liked the section on "Sorry!" (p.221) There are many sections from which I could quote, overall I learned a lot from this book and I've barely set foot on American soil, sorry, I should say "dirt"! An added plus: Websites are mentioned galore so as Toni says at the end of the book: "Enjoy!"
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