Why do Americans eat rice with a fork, are fascinated with ice, or burp in public? These are just some of the questions that callers asked in a lively call-in segment when author Diane Asitimbay sat down with KPBS "These Days" radio host Tom Fudge.
San Diego, CA (PRWEB) September 28, 2006 -– Judging by the sheer number of listeners who flooded the call-in lines at KPBS radio station, it's clear that Americans want to know more about what foreigners think of them.
When callers had comments or embarrassing questions for the guest, Diane Asitimbay answered “why” Americans act the way they do by giving listeners useful data from the extensive research she has done on American behavior.
Asitimbay is no stranger to weird questions. To write her book, Asitimbay collected real questions from her international students and friends and answered them in her funny guide called What’s Up America? A Foreigner’s Guide to Understanding Americans (Culturelink Press, 2005)
Her book has won the “Fresh Voices 2006” Travel Guide Finalist award.
American and foreigners alike are consuming the book like fresh fruit.
Unique in its format, readers get a visual picture of the American people in illustrations, pie charts and informational graphics. It is organized into 20 chapters with each chapter tackling a controversial topics such as food habits, the legalistic nature of our country, and patriotism in chapters entitled “Eat Now, Pay Later,” “Crazy for Rules,” and “Flag Fever.”
Companies with foreign medical employees and engineers refer to the book for their relocation trainings. The International Council of Visitors of Philadelphia bought a box of What’s Up America? as a gift to their corporate donors.
The United Nations International Gift shop carries the book for international tourists who visit San Diego. In Portland, Oregon, The Intercultural Communication Institute stocks the book for their intercultural classes.
“We are looking to improve our relationships with people from other countries. Finding out what others think of us is a great way to start," Asitimbay says.
Visitors to http://www.culturelinkpress.com can listen to the entire KPBS interview on the events and happenings page or go directly to the KPBS radio station's direct link at http://kpbs.org/radio/programs/these_days?id=6033
What’s Up America? A Foreigner’s Guide to Understanding Americans (ISBN 0-9759276-0-4) is available for $14.95 at fine independent bookstores, www.culturelinkpress.com or by calling Book Clearing House toll free at 1-800-431-1579.
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