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What are readers saying about Watching the English?
| Reviews of Watching the English - Page 1 of 4 |
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A Reader posted a review at 2011-03-24 06:20:45.
(Language: English)
 
If you happen to live for a while with Enslish people, reading this book is even double fun. It puts meaning behind the everypeculiar behavior you see around. Even if you are coming from mediterranean backgroung more fun. Great book
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A Reader posted a review at 2007-08-14 05:34:27.
(Language: English)
I guess this woman really never meet people from other country.I had been in 40 countries, most people would say sorry first even someone touch their bodies first. I speak 4 languages, and people can tell your education and class when you open your mouth. Of course, mother language is really very clear. Even people can tell your parent's education by your name. Everywhere is the same, not only in English. Maybe because most English really can not speak another language, so she does believe that only happen in English. I am sorry for her.
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A Reader posted a review at 2010-07-26 12:12:05.
(Language: English)
Kate Fox - Watching the English: The Hidden Rules of English Behaviour
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A Reader posted a review at 2008-12-07 02:00:25.
(Language: English)
As insightful as this book is, it is as boring, repetitive, and subtle as English culture itself. Definitely one to skim. It's written by an anthropologist; expect it to read like an academic text. If you are moving to or visiting England or Britain, it is a must read. I agree with an earlier review that the introduction chapter is the most entertaining part of the book.
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A Reader posted a review at 2010-07-07 10:50:29.
(Language: English)
Fun and fascinating. Although it did occasionally get a little bogged down in information and statistics, I frequently found myself laughing out loud at the sheer absurdity of the British people. One thing that did bug me a little was her frequent use of the adjective 'Eeyorish' like it was something I would automatically comprehend.
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A Reader posted a review at 2007-08-21 12:13:34.
(Language: English)
I loved this book. Being Italian & German and having grown up in Luxembourg and then moved to the UK 17 years ago, I found it fascinating. I was very amused by all the little things I've so often noticed about the English myself and didn't know whether to laugh or cry at so many very English habits/mannerisms I've picked up myself. One thing's for certain, I can't hear a conversation about the weather or an exchange of please's and thank you's anymore without smiling to myself! :)
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A Reader posted a review at 2010-08-21 01:12:47.
(Language: German)
Very funny!
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Olga posted a review at 2008-09-29 06:15:28.
(Language: English)
Advicing everything people, and espesially who was in Great Britain, who lived in Great Britain, who know who are english, who have english friends, or work with one, its humour interesting book, and its book for people who will work with english or want to work, or go to england for it, when its help to understand better this "strange" people. I lived in England and can talk , a lot what was write in this book about english, its 100% true, really that. Its very funny, good book.
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A Reader posted a review at 2009-09-22 06:58:27.
(Language: English)
This book uses one of my words "Eeyoreish" except I say "oreEeyish" as it is easier to say.
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Olga posted a review at 2010-09-14 03:06:38.
(Language: English)
Very interesting funny book about english people, them traditiones, and all base sides of the life. I start to read it in bookshop and cant stop laughing, all people near me smiled too, a some of them take it, cant understood what i read.
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A Reader posted a review at 2009-08-23 12:30:01.
(Language: English)
I'm an Australian who's lived in England now for many years. A friend lent me her copy of this book after I told her of my amusement at English queueing rules, amongst other things. This book covers that, but a lot more too, and was a wonderful read. Kate Fox has a great sense of humour, which shines through throughout. I didn't agree with all her observations, and I suspect that the English aren't quite as unique in a few of the areas she covers. But they're minor gripes. Read this book if you live in or are visiting England, and especially if you enjoy the odd spot of people watching.
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A Reader posted a review at 2010-05-29 07:24:40.
(Language: English)
I wanted to read it because I'm trying to figure out why, on a trip to the U.K. several years ago, some very upper-middle class relatives of my travel companion strenuously insisted I use the term "serviette" instead of "napkin" (which is the usual term in my country). I was bewildered by it at the time, but even more so after I learned that "serviette" is the "non-U" term. Were they trying hard to seem non-U, or were they embarrassed to hear me, as a working-class American, use "U" terminology? More as I read the actual book ...
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Stephanie posted a review at 2010-08-23 11:44:13.
(Language: English)
“Watching the English” was written by an English anthropologist about her own nation’s behaviour. There are some interesting explanation on why British people are so uneasy socializing, talking about money and may sometimes talking in the opposite way (hypocrisy). While many of the explanation suggested by Fox are convincing, I find those behaviour not unique to the British, they can be observed in our Chinese society as well! So it’s useful in understanding people’s behaviour. ~Apr 2007
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A Reader posted a review at 2008-10-01 07:35:11.
(Language: English)
I read this while living among the English, so it was very interesting to compare notes. Her observations and conclusions generally matched my own, though I think she should have discussed the generation gap more. (Though some things are ageless, others, like reserve, do seem to be affected by age at least a little.) It's a fairly sizable book, but it was well-paced and well-written. I've already recommended it to an Anglophile friend, as I think it does offer some insights.
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A Reader posted a review at 2007-08-14 12:37:48.
(Language: English)
I laughed so much reading this book, but also I learnt a lot of things.. It was like opening my eyes on all the things I live and experience everyday in England being a French girl. I highly recommend it to anyone, english or not, to get a better understanding of how people see english but also to understand our differences. Why do pleople queue, hoy do they do it? How do a bartender knows who's next ordering at the bar? Why can't english just take a compliment? etc..
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A Reader posted a review at 2010-06-19 05:39:26.
(Language: English)
light and humorous book yet it's true
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A Reader posted a review at 2010-10-10 10:02:31.
(Language: English)
As an unrepentant Anglophile, I found this book quite interesting, with a good sense of humour (of course, being written by an English woman). Alot of stuff I recognized as being not strictly English mannerisms, etc.(male bonding rituals for example), but true of most Western cultures. But quite a bit of it was very enlightening, being quite "foreign" to us Westerners (I'm Cdn!), like why there are no waiters in bars, or why there are no house numbers on people's houses..
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A Reader posted a review at 2010-04-18 03:24:45.
(Language: English)
This book was my survival guide when I first moved to the UK. Hilarious and very enlightening!!
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A Reader posted a review at 2010-09-25 07:18:40.
(Language: English)
Cute book.
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A Reader posted a review at 2010-07-16 02:00:39.
(Language: English)
somehow... so true...
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A Reader posted a review at 2009-10-01 01:08:44.
(Language: English)
Very interesting read and really helped me understand the English (the book is written by a British anthropologist). Also, good fodder for the blog: http://wp.me/pxVLz-2E Very educational and good fodder for my blog: http://wp.me/pxVLz-2E
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A Reader posted a review at 2008-03-02 06:33:45.
(Language: English)
I found myself chuckling in recognition. I loved the chapter on Pubs, the rituals of getting served and how waiting at the bar we are suddenly allowed to speak to strangers. As an English woman living overseas,It was great to read, and It even made me feel a bit homesick. After reading the book I soon found myself standing next to the bus stop in my 'orderly queue of one' while others around me sat or stood around and had to laugh at myself.
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A Reader posted a review at 2010-03-01 11:31:29.
(Language: English)
Great book and any one who wants to visit UK SHOULD read it
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A Reader posted a review at 2009-08-11 04:50:20.
(Language: English)
Simply the finest, most insightful and laugh-out-loud hilarious anthropology book I've ever read. Fox's prose reads with the wit and charm of someone who not only sees the discrepancies of others lives but also her own and has no problem highlighting the humour for all to see. A superb read for anyone, no matter how keyed up on the subject matter they may consider themselves to be.
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A Reader posted a review at 2011-01-18 08:44:57.
(Language: English)
This book has been hugely successful and has tons of rave reviews. I am only 70 ages in, but I have to say, the first 60-65 were beyond disappointing. The first chapter is a waaaaay too long mea culpa, that anyone writing about culture really has to do, because someone will always get offended. I get that. But she should've left it at 2 pages. Not 20. We get it. Not everyone in a given culture is an automaton. Then she spends about 40 pages with her first brilliant insights! [sarcasm] Like, wow. Can you believe that the English aren't ACTUALLY OBSESSED with the weather? No! Talking about the weather is...get this...a form of small talk. An icebreaker amongst strangers. What an amazing insight! Those crazy English. Who would have ever seen THAT coming? Also, did you know that the English are terribly bad at leaving, say, a dinner party by simply saying "well, bye!" and walking out the door? Well they are. In some strange foreign ritual, they feel they must act like they are not eager to leave. They must thank the host over and over. Wave good bye. Make the hand signal for 'call me'. etc etc. Who ever heard of such a thing? Sorry to be snippy, but as an Anthropologist myself, I give myself the right to be offended by those who take themselves too seriously. And I see no reason why any of these things should be considered "English". Or how in the world anyone would be surprised by them. Now at page 70(ish) - it's finally interesting. We'll see how the rest of the book holds out, but I'm astonished so many people have made it through Ms. Fox's first, overlong, self-indulgent chapters.
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