An Aussie in America: Laughter and Lessons Across the Cultural Divide

by Maxwell High, Anne

• ISBN13: 9781594111105
• ISBN10: 1594111103
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2005-07-31
• Publisher: Midpoint Trade Books Inc

Summary

A small town's worth of Aussies is scattered throughout the USA. By the time the author joined this nebulous village she had been exposed to so much American culture in Australia, she assumed she had America pretty well figured out. Soon enough she found herself stumbling into the cultural divide. Take this insider's tour of the similarities and differences between the Australian and U.S. cultures. Witness the hilarious incomprehension that occurs between two English-es. Discover why Australians and Americans are not always satisfied with each other's cuisines, and taken aback by each other's eating habits. Unearth the assumptions Australians make about Americans, and the artefacts of Australiana that influence American perceptions of Australia. Delve into the historical and geographic forces that have shaped these two cultures. Aussies, get tips on tipping and other social minefields, and be cheered to find you are not alone! Americans, see your own culture in a new light

Table of Contents

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS	ix
INTRODUCTION	xi
ONE LANGUAGE: OUR RESPECTIVE ENGLISHES	1	(32)
TWO FOOD	33	(30)
THREE EATING	63	(14)
FOUR VIVA LA DIFFERENCE!	77	(18)
FIVE TRAVELING	95	(14)
SIX OUR SPLENDID COUNTRIES	109	(30)
SEVEN OUR SPLENDID SELVES	139	(28)
EIGHT CULTURAL BLIND SPOTS	167	(22)
NINE CULTURAL ARTIFACT OR FICTION?	189	(22)
APPENDIX A DICTIONARY	211	(10)
APPENDIX B VOTING METHODS	221