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

by Jane Walmsley

An irreverent and indispensable guide to understanding the great cultural ocean that divides Britain and America.

Genres: Nonfiction, Travel, Humor, Language, Cultural, Psychology, British Literature

144 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1986

Reviews

[Keri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Brit-Think, Ameri-think by Jane Walmsley was recommended to me by the British bookstore in my local town which we visited before our trip to the UK (where we currently are!). The book doesn't focus so much on the differences in language, but rather on the differences in culture between the UK and the US. This book was really funny. Even though though some of her references were pretty outdated (like Brad and Jen), a lot of her commentary was spot on for both British and American behavior. I wouldn't take it as complete gospel, but it does shed a little light on why the Brits I've met act the way they do. I'd recommend it for anyone going across the pond for the first time - either direction.

SuBC bookstore rec and post a review - 25 points

[So Cal · Rating 2 out of 5]

The author and I have two things in common...

We are both American women married to British men.

We both live in the UK.

After reading the book I can only come to the conclusion that Jane Walmsley lives in a very different world from the average Brit and American! I seriously doubt that Ms. Walmsley has ever mixed extensively with the average, estate dwelling British citizen, which has led her to write a very unhelpful and inaccurate book. She spends far too much time trying to sanitize life in the UK and make it appear quaint. Of course, she may very well know the truth but will not dare to write about it for fear that her windows will be put out with bricks and her car petrol-bombed.

If you want an accurate portrayal of the British mentality AVOID THIS BOOK!

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the revised edition from 2003, so I must have bought it as preparatory reading for my study abroad year in England. This may even be the third time I’ve read it. Walmsley, an American in the UK, compares Yanks and Brits on topics like business, love and sex, parenting, food, television, etc. I found my favourite lines again (in a panel entitled “Eating in Britain: Things that Confuse American Tourists”): “Why do Brits like snacks that combine two starches? (a) If you’ve got spaghetti, do you really need the toast? (b) What’s a ‘chip-butty’? Is it fatal?” The explanation of the divergent sense of humour is still spot on, and I like the Gray Jolliffe cartoons. Unfortunately, a lot of the rest feels dated – she’d updated it to 2003’s pop culture references, but these haven’t aged well.

[Annie Harrison · Rating 3 out of 5]

Technology is making the world a smaller place. This is an amusing book, but global communication and social networking have erased, to a certain extent, some of our differences. The differences today are more subtle, and references to things that happened over a decade ago make the book seem very out-of-date. Nevertheless, it is a fun read and revealing insight into the ways American's think. I think the British bits might benefit from being written entirely by a Brit, rather than an American who thinks she understands the Brits.

[Joel Simon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of the funniest, most accurate books there is on the subject of the cultural connections and misconnections between the US and the UK. It is entertaining but also spot-on in its comparisons. I read the original, which is probably a little dated now that London has changed so much. The revised version probably is better. In any case, it is a good, tongue-in-cheek look at the two nations, separated by a common language.

[Rosey · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was mostly funny, but sometimes a little off in the analysis. I would have liked it more, but it was obviously outdated (why refer to couples like Brad and Jen or Madonna and Guy) which took away from some of the points. The chapter on Brit-cool vs Ameri-cool reminded me of when I was 10 or 12 and my uncle tried to pretend like he understood how Bad was Good - you just want to cringe and say "By talking about it, you've ruined it."

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious! Or shall I say "brilliant"! I laughed myself silly with this book. Of course, it helped that we have friends and colleagues who are British. The comparisons are great and the observations about American culture are very amusing. If you don't know someone who is British it might not be as funny.

[Sheila Beaumont · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written by an American who is married to a Brit, this is a fun, informative guide to the differences in British and American attitudes, covering cuteness and coziness, aspirations, Oprah, food, what's cool and hot, humor, religion, pets, and more. This revised edition is copyright 2003, so many of the pop-culture references are, of course, outdated. Time for a new edition, perhaps?

[Lyssrose · Rating 4 out of 5]

Altogether a very interesting read - I can't, obviously, comment on the accuracy of the Brit descriptions, but for the American ones, the majority were spot on. Granted, the book is dealing with broad generalizations, but taken with a hefty dose of reality, it was quite amusing.

[Angel Mar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book, not only educational but as well entertaining, I rarely read book in a few days or a few hours, I did read this one in a few train rides...Two thumbs up

[Sarah Ainger · Rating 2 out of 5]

Most of the info and opinions in this book are pretty dated, some just outright strange, but it did make me chuckle a few times.

[Bookworm · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mildly amusing book. Picked this book up on a whim since it was a bargain book. I've seen this book around and thought it would be a "cute" and different read but it's probably only for a very niche group of people. Supposedly author Walmsley wrote a whimsical, irreverent guide to the differences between how people in the US think and how British people think.
 
Everything from language to customs to pop culture are all covered. There are moments that are quite amusing and worth a giggle but it's mostly not incredibly funny or interesting. As other reviews note the book is out of date (or at least my version is) but I'd imagine that if you or someone you know has spent a good deal of time in either country you might recognize some of the bits here.
 
Might be a good book for a couple who is in a trans-Atlantic relationship or someone who is studying abroad, staying long term in one of the countries, etc. But it's not compelling and it wouldn't be on the top of my list as a good pick for a gift. Library if you're interested but I wouldn't make a huge effort to read it either.

[Kristen Spangler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Regardless which side of the pond one is/you're on (See the trans-Atlanticism there?), Walmsley's short work is enjoyable to read, especially if read with an open mind. Sure, well-travelled readers will scoff at some of the tongue-in-cheek references or explanations that one's culture be checked at the airport door, but that's as many comparative culture books should be. Not everyone leads a NY-LON life, so some things ought to be detailed a little more thoroughly. As for those who say she doesn't know the real England, keep in mind that these are generalisations: not every Americanism she noted is a blanket depiction of the country, is it? (I personally deplore most American television, for example, and I grew up in a rural locale surrounded by others who felt the same way.) Read this with an air of curiosity and, if possible, a cuppa and a bickie. Or a tub of mocha chip. Your choice.

[Dawn · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was quite the flash back to the 80s. Some of the broad stereotypes could possibly be said to be true, but I don't think the author can be said to have any knowledge of any except the upper classes in either country. I was amazed that an American could have such little apparent knowledge about Americans - I got the impression that she had never ventured outside of New York when she lived here (even when taking into account the cultural differences that the last few decades have made).

PS. No one that has tasted Devonshire ice cream could ever be under the impression that ice cream in America is better...

[Jill · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had high hopes that this book would be something I could recommend to my students (I work in the study abroad office of a university), but it failed to meet that need. At this point, the cultural references and insights are out of date, and the author is unable to accurately summarize the experiences if anyone outside if her own age group. If you are in your forties or fifties and did all of your travel to the UK before 2004, you will love this book. Otherwise, you will probably find many of her observations to be off the mark.

[Matthew · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some interesting observations of the differences between the way Americans and British people view the world and interact with it, but as other commenters have noted, not always spot on. As a British-American who grew up in America, it had me reflecting on my own way of looking at the world and laughing at many of the memories it brought back of my British grandparents. But take this book with a grain of salt. While I found some things to be keen observations, I felt like other parts of the book were way off for both cultures. So enjoy what you can, but don't take it too seriously.

[Helen Savore · Rating 2 out of 5]

Its hard to give a rating since I'll need to test the knowledge against other sources and such. I did not realize how old this was originally, noting the revised date of 2003 rather than the original date of 1986. This explains some of the dated feel of the more familiar American material, and lack of impact of recent events and technology. A few references are inserted but seem to break with the flow.

The information is broken into nice small sections making it easier to remember and reference. The writing is interesting, often making memorable facts through subdued exaggeration.

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Written in the 80s, revised in 2003, and still needs a major update. 80s references are everywhere and distracting (Americans love their aerobics!) and (the UK is one of the places where the gay population hasn't been decimated by AIDS)..whhaaat??
There's a whole chapter about how Americans think Oprah is God :/
However somewhat amusing and insightful at times even if it's just lumping every American and every Brit into certain stereotypes.

[Randi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Funny, but out of date. Gemeralizations about Americans are unfounded; not everybody wants to be famous and everybody does not worship at the church of Oprah. We like more things than ice cream, too. I enjoyed the language and more direct comparisons, though! I'm anxious to see how true the generalizations about the British are...

[Janet · Rating 2 out of 5]

A cheeky insight into British and American differences. I disagreed with a lot of what the author said but some things were true. (I'm American and lived in the UK for the past eight years. A lot has changed since she wrote this edition.) After awhile the author's writing style got on my nerves. I don't think I would recommend this book.

[Sara Lewkowicz · Rating 1 out of 5]

The worst book I've read in a hot minute. Dated and stale and trying too hard to be witty. I bought this on impulse when buying Watching the English. Don't fall into the same trap. Or better yet just pay the shipping and I will mail it to you myself, if for no other reason than to get it out of my sight. Oh and her attempt to explain coolness made me want to kill myself.

[Corrie Aw. · Rating 3 out of 5]

You know what to expect when the author starts the book with "In writing this book, I've tried to be evenhanded, and fair to both sides. If there's someone I haven't insulted ... I'm sorry." It's funny, though a bit outdated.
Being neither British nor American, I am in no position to judge the accuracy of contents, but much of it rang true.

[Melanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is designed for someone looking at living and / or doing extensive business in the UK. I don't think it will be very helpful for my one week visit as a tourist. While I think the book tried to be funny it wasn't to me. I do appreciate learning that no all countries think like we Americans think.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a member of a support line for Britist people who have fibromylagia. This book has helped me a lot with saying the wrong things! Will take it with me when I finally go to the U.K. to search for my roots.

[Sasha Strader · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting insight to the behaviours of ourselves and our neighbours across the pond. Personally I felt the American portion was more thought provoking, but I'm an American, so I guess I would. (We're terribly self-centered you know)

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm only upset that I didn't get the updated version as it's obviously outdated but makes for some interesting popular culture observations. This is a really funny read and one that kept me entertained for the day and half I spent devouring it. This book is deliciously insulting and easy to digest.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

It absolutely goes for the stereotypes, but in a humorous way. As an American living in Britain I definitely see how these come about, but would take these as a humorous view and with a big handful of salt.

[Loni · Rating 4 out of 5]

At times very outdated, but still funny and insightful enough to make it a worthwhile read if you've experienced both cultures.

[Shanna · Rating 1 out of 5]

This looked interesting at first glance, but already it's proving to be a dissapointing read.

[Rae · Rating 4 out of 5]

A somewhat tongue-in-cheek look at the differences between the British and the Americans, focusing especially on language.