Brit-Think, Ameri-Think: A Transatlantic Survival Guide by jane walmsley

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

The British and the Americans, two nations separated by a common language, as the saying goes. There are indeed some rather interesting differences between them, especially when it comes to language.

The British have their own unique way of expressing things. For example, they might say "lorry" instead of "truck", or "flat" instead of "apartment". Their pronunciation can also be quite distinct, with a certain elegance and charm.

On the other hand, the Americans have their own brand of English. They tend to be more casual and direct in their speech. They might use words like "elevator" instead of "lift", or "cookie" instead of "biscuit". Their pronunciation can sometimes be more nasal and less refined.

These differences in language can lead to some misunderstandings and humorous situations. But at the end of the day, they also add to the rich tapestry of the English language and make it all the more interesting. Whether you're British or American, or somewhere in between, there's no denying the power and beauty of the English language.

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Jamesml9411

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

Maybe more like 2.9 stars.

This book, which is nearly 40 years old, is indeed a bit outdated. However, it still manages to be an amusing read that imparts some truths. The humor within it is a bit self-conscious and heavy-handed at times. Despite its age, it holds great anthropological and historical value. It offers insights into the past and can be a valuable resource for those interested in these fields.

Overall, it is lightly recommended. It may not be a perfect book, but it has its merits and can provide an interesting and enjoyable reading experience, especially for those with a particular interest in anthropology or history.

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DeadLord

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

Most of the information and opinions presented in this book are rather outdated.

Some of them are just downright strange.

However, to my surprise, it did manage to make me chuckle a few times.

The author's unique perspective and perhaps a touch of eccentricity shine through in certain passages.

Despite its flaws, there is something oddly charming about the book.

It's as if it's a time capsule, preserving a particular era's thoughts and ideas.

While it may not be a must-read for everyone, those with an open mind and a sense of humor might find some entertainment value in it.

It serves as a reminder that even in the world of literature, there are works that defy expectations and offer a different kind of reading experience.

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myrrhcat

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

This was mostly quite funny, yet at times the analysis was a little off. I would have had a greater liking for it, but it was blatantly outdated. Why refer to couples such as Brad and Jen or Madonna and Guy? This detracted from some of the points.

The chapter on Brit-cool vs Ameri-cool brought to my mind the time when I was 10 or 12 and my uncle attempted to pretend as if he understood how Bad was Good. You just have an urge to cringe and exclaim, "By talking about it, you've spoiled it."

It seems that the examples used in the article were perhaps from a bygone era and didn't quite resonate with the current context. However, the overall concept and the humorous tone still managed to engage the reader to some extent.

Maybe with some updated references and a more in-depth analysis, this could have been a really great piece. As it stands, it has its moments of entertainment but also leaves room for improvement.

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literaturenerd

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

I had high hopes that this book would be something I could recommend to my students.

As I work in the study abroad office of a university, I am always on the lookout for useful resources.

However, this book failed to meet that need.

At this point, the cultural references and insights it provides are out of date.

The author seems unable to accurately summarize the experiences of anyone outside her own age group.

If you are in your forties or fifties and did all of your travel to the UK before 2004, you might love this book.

But otherwise, you will probably find many of her observations to be off the mark.

It's a pity because a more updated and inclusive perspective would have made this book a valuable asset for students planning to study abroad in the UK.

As it stands, I cannot in good conscience recommend it to them.

Hopefully, the author will consider revising the book to make it more relevant and useful for a wider audience.

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liviz-library

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

This book truly served as a vivid flashback to the 1980s. While some of the broad stereotypes presented might potentially hold a grain of truth, it is rather concerning to note that the author seems to lack in-depth knowledge of any social class other than the upper classes in both countries. It is quite astonishing that an American author could have such limited and seemingly superficial knowledge about her own fellow Americans. I couldn't help but get the impression that perhaps she had never really ventured beyond the boundaries of New York during her time living here, even when considering the significant cultural differences that have emerged over the last few decades.

PS. It is an absolute fact that no one who has ever had the pleasure of tasting Devonshire ice cream could ever be under the misapprehension that ice cream in America is superior. The rich, creamy, and indulgent flavor of Devonshire ice cream is simply unrivaled, and once you've experienced it, you'll never look at American ice cream in the same way again.

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beerotan

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

Funny, but out of date. Generalizations about Americans are unfounded. It's not the case that everybody wants to be famous and not everybody worships at the church of Oprah. In fact, we Americans like a wide variety of things, not just ice cream. There are countless interests and hobbies that we pursue. I did enjoy the language and the more direct comparisons in the original text, though! It makes me curious and anxious to see how accurate the generalizations about the British are. Are they as unfounded as those about Americans? Or is there some truth to them? I look forward to finding out and seeing if the same kind of humor and insights can be applied to the British as well.

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Kryptonot_7471

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

The statement "Amusing at first but full of stereotypes that no longer ring true three decades later" holds an interesting perspective.

At first glance, something might have seemed amusing, perhaps due to the novelty or the way it was presented. However, as time has passed, those initial amusements may have given way to a realization that the content was based on stereotypes.

Stereotypes are generalizations about a group of people that often do not accurately represent the individuality and diversity within that group. What might have been considered acceptable or even humorous three decades ago may now be seen as outdated and inappropriate.

As society has evolved and become more aware of the importance of equality and respect, our understanding of what is acceptable has also changed. We now recognize that stereotypes can be harmful and can perpetuate unfair judgments and discrimination.

It is important to be critical of the media and other forms of entertainment that we consume and to question whether they are reinforcing stereotypes or promoting a more accurate and inclusive view of the world.

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Brit-Think, Ameri-Think: A Transatlantic Survival Guide

jane walmsley

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