Living in the USA

Before the 3rd grade junior high students graduate in March, I wanted to to do a cross-cultural project where they discover the differences that exist between Japanese and American culture in the most mundane of things (ie how people ride the bus, etc.).

I thought it would be an interesting exercise, but coming up with the activities to demonstrate this point was much harder than expected.

To help me produce ideas, I looked for books about everyday life in America and Japan. My friend pointed me to a used bookstore by the International Center and luckily, I found several useful books. The most interesting of all is this book called "Living in the USA."

Here are a few excerpts.

On Asian Americans:
"Asian-Americans tend to have a single-minded concentration on getting ahead. They are doing notably well academically and are surging into the top universities coast to coast..."
"Most Asians distance themselves from both blacks and Hispanics. They date and mate readily with white however."

On Adult Dating:
"Men and women go out together a great deal, especially in the cities of America; they ski together, work together, and dine together, either at restaurants or in each other's apartments. This does not mean that they are necessarily interested in having sex together, though it may appear so and, of course, with some men and women it is so."

"If you have a wife at home, be sure to let this fact be known to the woman early in your acquaintance. It will not necessarily make any difference, but the woman wants to know the situation."

"A woman will not feel that she owes you sex because you have paid for her dinner." She will feel that her company and her acceptance of you have contributed to a pleasant evening for both, but not that she owes you more."


On Silence
Many Americans find silence uncomfortable. They will babble on to fill any silence if it extends for more than a moment."


Needless to say, a book like this, being less than 3/4 of an inch thick, has utterly offended me in mere paragraphs. Those lines offended me as an Asian American, as a woman, and sadly, as an American.

I guess it's fair to point out that this book was first published in 1973 (but updated in 1988). I know that's 20+ years ago, but give me a break! That's a bunch of bull.

I can't believe the choice of words the author used in describing certain groups of people. It also made so many assumptions about the background of its readers. "If you have a wife at home, be sure to let that fact be known..."?!? Are you for real?

I also can't believe this book was published to introduce foreigners to American life. While it provided some shocking amusement, I think I can summarize my views of this book in one line. What a waste of paper!