Waubonsee Community College

101 American customs, understanding American language and culture through common practices, Harry Collis ; illustrated by Joe Kohl

eng

illustrations

index present

non fiction

101 American customs

41320038

Harry Collis ; illustrated by Joe Kohl

understanding American language and culture through common practices

Intended for or non-native speakers of American English, this volume presents a humorous approach to understanding common American customs and the expressions related to them. Customs are explained, one to a page, with conversational examples and whimsical cartoons. Topics range from age-old traditions, such as shaking hands and bachelor parties, to more modern American practices such as coupon clipping, TV dinners, and tailgate parties. There are eight sections: special occasions, courtship and marriage, body language, enjoy, all in the family, let's have fun, red letter days, and the icons of America

[pt. 1:] Those special occasions. A visit from the stork -- Blue is for boys, pink is for girls -- Passing out cigars -- Baptism -- Singing happy birthday -- Birthday spankings -- The birthday cake and candles -- First communion -- Bar mitzvah -- The sweet sixteen party -- Hazing -- Caps and gowns at graduation -- The homecoming parade -- Going with a date to the prom -- The retirement watch -- Sending greeting cards -- [pt. 2:] Courtship and marriage. Marking X for kisses -- Spin the bottle -- Parking with a date -- Going Dutch -- The Sadie Hawkins dance -- Asking for a woman's hand -- Bridal showers -- Bachelor parties -- The bride's family paying for the wedding -- "You may kiss the bride" -- Throwing rice at newlyweds -- Cutting the wedding cake -- Anniversary gifts -- [pt. 3:] Body language. Shaking hands -- The "OK" sign -- Thumbs up-thumbs down -- The high five -- Crossing your fingers -- Crossing your heart -- Shrugging your shoulders -- Winking -- Sticking out your tongue -- A hand over the mouth when yawning -- Saying "bless you" when sneezing -- The man walks on the outside -- [pt. 4:] Enjoy! Giving thanks before a meal -- Keeping elbows off the table -- Cornflakes for breakfast -- Bacon and eggs -- Having salad before the entrée -- TV dinners -- Ketchup, the American flavor marker -- The backyard barbecue -- Potluck dinners -- Eating fish on Friday -- Drive-thru fast food -- Hot dogs at a baseball -- [pt. 5:] All in the family. Fall shopping sprees -- Kiss it and make it better -- Regular toothbrushing -- The tooth fairy -- Sibling rivalry -- The weekly allowance -- Bedtime stories -- An apple for the teacher -- Separate phone lines for teens -- Coupon clipping -- Garage sales -- Tupperware parties -- Spring cleaning -- Church collections -- [pt. 6:] Let's have fun! A game of bingo -- Square dancing -- Going to a rodeo -- Demolition derbies -- A visit to the amusement park or theme park -- Eating contests -- TGIF (thank goodness it's Friday) -- Tailgate parties -- Baseball, America's game -- Playing on little league teams -- Listening to one's favorite music -- Lighting matches at a rock concert -- [pt. 7:] Red letter days. Honoring Martin Luther King's birthday -- Celebrating Mardi gras -- Presidents' Day sales -- Wearing green on Saint Patrick's Day -- Sending flowers on Mother's Day -- Wearing a poppy for Memorial Day -- Independence Day parade -- "Trick or treat" on Halloween -- Voting on Election Day -- Gathering for Thanksgiving dinner -- Celebrating Kwanza -- [pt. 8:] The icons of America. Visiting the Statue of Liberty -- Taking in a Broadway show -- Stargazing in Hollywood -- Enjoying popcorn at the movies -- Ordering an ice-cream cone -- Chewing gum -- Having a coke -- The morning cup of coffee -- As American as apple pie -- Wearing blue jeans -- Reading personal advice columns

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