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Review
'She has not only compiled a comprehensive list of English qualities, she has examined them in depth and wondered how we came to acquire them. Her book is a delightful read.' -- The Sunday Times 'I loved the section on mobile-phone etiquette. Shrewd ... I liked the chapter on English humour. This is an entertaining, clever book. Do read it and then pass it on.' -- Daily Telegraph 'Amusing ... entertaining.' -- The Times 'Watching the English ... will make you laugh out loud ("Oh God. I do that!") and cringe simultaneously ("Oh God. I do that as well."). This is a hilarious book which just shows us for what we are ... beautifully-observed. It is a wonderful read for both the English and those who look at us and wonder why we do what we do. Now they'll know.' -- Birmingham Post 'Fascinating reading.' -- Oxford Times 'An absolutely brilliant examination of English culture and how foreigners take as complete mystery the things we take for granted.' -- Jennifer Saunders, The Times 'If you like this kind of anthropology (and I do) there is a wealth of it to enjoy in this book. Her observations are acute...fortunately she doesn't write like an anthropologist but like an English woman -with amusement, not solemnity, able to laugh at herself as well as us.' -- Daily Mail
Review
'She has not only compiled a comprehensive list of English qualities, she has examined them in depth and wondered how we came to acquire them. Her book is a delightful read.' (The Sunday Times )
'I loved the section on mobile-phone etiquette. Shrewd . . . I liked the chapter on English humour. This is an entertaining, clever book. Do read it and then pass it on.' (Daily Telegraph )
'Amusing . . . entertaining.' (The Times )
'Watching the English . . . will make you laugh out loud ("Oh God. I do that!") and cringe simultaneously ("Oh God. I do that as well."). This is a hilarious book which just shows us for what we are . . . beautifully-observed. It is a wonderful read for both the English and those who look at us and wonder why we do what we do. Now they'll know.' (Birmingham Post )
'Fascinating reading.' (Oxford Times )
'An absolutely brilliant examination of English culture and how foreigners take as complete mystery the things we take for granted.' (Jennifer Saunders, The Times )
'If you like this kind of anthropology (and I do) there is a wealth of it to enjoy in this book. Her observations are acute...fortunately she doesn't write like an anthropologist but like an English woman -with amusement, not solemnity, able to laugh at herself as well as us.' (Daily Mail )
'I loved the section on mobile-phone etiquette. Shrewd . . . I liked the chapter on English humour. This is an entertaining, clever book. Do read it and then pass it on.' (Daily Telegraph )
'Amusing . . . entertaining.' (The Times )
'Watching the English . . . will make you laugh out loud ("Oh God. I do that!") and cringe simultaneously ("Oh God. I do that as well."). This is a hilarious book which just shows us for what we are . . . beautifully-observed. It is a wonderful read for both the English and those who look at us and wonder why we do what we do. Now they'll know.' (Birmingham Post )
'Fascinating reading.' (Oxford Times )
'An absolutely brilliant examination of English culture and how foreigners take as complete mystery the things we take for granted.' (Jennifer Saunders, The Times )
'If you like this kind of anthropology (and I do) there is a wealth of it to enjoy in this book. Her observations are acute...fortunately she doesn't write like an anthropologist but like an English woman -with amusement, not solemnity, able to laugh at herself as well as us.' (Daily Mail )
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Have you ever wondered why it is that when you bump into someone, they say sorry? Or why we appear to be obsessed by the weather? Or mused about the fact that where the rest of Europe has bars, we have public houses? If you have, then this is the book for you.
Kate fox is the daughter of a sociologist of some note, apparently, but as what you might refer to as a talented amateur, her book is by no means a dry scientific tract. I bought it because I quite like to read about social conventions and how they differ from place to place, but in fact although it is that, it's also funny, wry and well-observed, and written more in the tone of someone having a discussion in the pub than in the lab. As I read it, I did find myself going "Oh no, I do that!" at regular intervals, and watching the unravelling logic behind such social randomness as not contradicting people when they say the weather is bad was something I personally found fascinating.
It is in chapters and chunks, so if you think it might be a bit much all in one go, it'd make a great book for reading on the train or in the bath; but I personally found it very amusing.
Kate fox is the daughter of a sociologist of some note, apparently, but as what you might refer to as a talented amateur, her book is by no means a dry scientific tract. I bought it because I quite like to read about social conventions and how they differ from place to place, but in fact although it is that, it's also funny, wry and well-observed, and written more in the tone of someone having a discussion in the pub than in the lab. As I read it, I did find myself going "Oh no, I do that!" at regular intervals, and watching the unravelling logic behind such social randomness as not contradicting people when they say the weather is bad was something I personally found fascinating.
It is in chapters and chunks, so if you think it might be a bit much all in one go, it'd make a great book for reading on the train or in the bath; but I personally found it very amusing.
43 of 45 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Kate Fox is a well-known anthropologist who now turns her attention to the very strange behaviour of the English people. The book's chapters cover various aspects of this one by one, including mobile phone use, dress codes, food rules, rules of sex, driving and many other topics. Her basic conclusion is that the English are a buttoned-up race who use many displacements behaviours to cover up their essential embarassment in all social situations. Remove from us our dogs, our gardens, our pubs and our "weather talk" and you uncover a people who would run a mile rather than engage realistically with their fellow humans.
Kate Fox intersperses her study by telling the reader about the research she undertook and it is amusing to read of occasions when she deliberately bumped into many English people to see whether they would say "sorry" (the invariably did). Her visits to pubs result in some instantly recongisable behaviours which seem to have the force of law behind them for woe betide anyone who transgresses.
I enjoyed reading how humour suffuses all English social situations. It is impossible to interact with the English without making jokey, ironic comments, as anyone who works on a daily basis with English people will testify to.
The book is itself humorous and light-hearted but is by no means light-weight for it has some serious messages which will interest anyone who is English or who has to deal with the English in daily life. By the end I admired Kate Fox for providing us with what is really quite a scholarly study, but one which draws you on chapter by chapter, smiling at her insights as you read.
130 of 139 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
When I heard there was a book coming out about English "quirks" I knew I had to get it. I love people-watching and love the idea that certain traits are inherent to the English tribe.
I'm not sure what I was expecting, but I wasn't disappointed. This is a hefty book, and I'm not a "read-the-book-in-a-night" person, preferring to dip in and out whenever I get a chance, but I have found myself preferring to pick up the book rather than watch the TV. I've even missed breakfast a few mornings this week, preferring to sit with a cuppa and read so it must be good!
Have you ever wondered:
* Why we talk about the weather so much?
* Why we can't accept compliments without embarrassment?
* Why WE apologise when someone bumps into us?
* How we use humour/irony as a defence mechanism
And did you know, men gossip as much as women? The proof is in here!
The one that has made me laugh the loudest so far was the section on gossiping / bitching.
This is low-brow anthropology but don't get me wrong, it's not for stupid people! There's a lot of academic terminology, which can at times be confusing, but Kate follows this up with clear examples and definitions to clarify her points. The characteristics covered thus far, I have to admit, ring too true. Getting off the phone to realise I have just fulfilled so many "English" stereotypes is shocking but amusing. Kate’s style of writing is conversational, but not patronising. It’s intricate but not complicated. Her accurate observations are alarming, entertaining, and really quite fascinating.
I would recommend this to anyone with an interest in culture; tribalism; communications; sociology; or simply the English and our eccentricities.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
fun and informative
Loved this book as did my teenage children. Its serious enough not to feel too lightweight but really funny too. Highly recommended.
Published 11 hours ago by Cat Oswyn
But hasn't it all been said before?
I was in two minds about buying this, and now wish I hadn't bothered. If you didn't know already that the English have an above-average tendency to get embarrassed about things,... Read more
Published 1 month ago by jfp2006
A brilliant book.
Closely observed (if a little overweight on middle class values) and written in a warm accessible style. Give a copy to all your friends -- they will love it.
Published 2 months ago by Oliver4Stuff
Goes on and on!
This book would be more readable if it stopped trying to be an academic tome. It should have been cut by 50%. Some relevant points are made but avoid the psychology, please!
Published 3 months ago by Bedtime reader
A amusing read
Despite this being serious social science research the author's style makes it compulsive reading. I laughed out loud in places at how we English behave and loved Fox's talent for... Read more
Published 5 months ago by E. Braben
Watching the English
An amazing little book. I have thoroughly enjoyed the few chapters I have read so far. Kate Fox's approach to her study is unique, and in many ways challenging. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Teach
Good Book
This product arrived speedily and was just as described. It is a good read and as a teacher of English in a foreign country, it gives a good insight into those living on the... Read more
Published 7 months ago by Alan Tyson-Carter
Quite amusing
Quite amusing and easy to read, even for a Spanish person eager to know more about english culture. It describes all the english facets or everyday behaviour in a amusing and... Read more
Published 8 months ago by Bookreader
very good
the book is very new, just like a new one. very light and i can carry with it anytime. very nice book to read
Published 8 months ago by Crystal
An analytical (and entertaining) view of the English
This was one of those books that I kept talking to other people about as I read it. What I liked about it was the analytical approach it took to the subject, rather than simply... Read more
Published 8 months ago by Aldo
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