Watching the English
The Hidden Rules of English Behaviour
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Watching the English
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Narrated by:
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Joan Walker
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By:
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Kate Fox
About this listen
The international bestseller and unofficial guidebook to the English national character by anthropologist Kate Fox.
Have you ever been unable to explain the idiosyncrasies of English humour, bizarre mobile-phone etiquette, or the endless obsession with class? In this classic bestselling book, social anthropologist Kate Fox puts a nation under a microscope. The result is a biting, affectionate, insightful and often hilarious look at the English in all our glory.
Based on extensive field-research, experiments and observations, Fox deciphers a strange and fascinating culture, governed by complex sets of unspoken rules and bizarre codes of behaviour. She uncovers the roots of English self-mockery and demystifies peculiar cultural features such as 'weather-speak', class anxiety tests, the paranoid pantomime rule and the apology reflex. If you're English, this book will help you understand yourself and your fellow countrymen in a new way. And if you aren't English, you'll finally understand why we talk about the weather so much.
A worldwide bestseller, translated into multiple languages, and a set text for university anthropology courses, Watching the English is a timeless classic on the quirks, habits and foibles of the English people.
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What listeners say about Watching the English
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Henry
- 29-11-22
Inspired and engaged from beginning to end
Not too shabby.
Thoroughly enjoyed listening to Watching the English while out walking the dog.
Would recommend it to anyone interested in learning about ‘what it is to be English’.
Henry James (Cambridge, England)
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- nkiru nwankwo
- 30-01-23
insightful reading
absolutely loved it. its an interesting read, just as the book says- understanding the English
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1 person found this helpful
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- Mitchell Westra
- 08-12-20
Compulsory reading for anyone in England
This book made me laugh aloud at various points. As a foreigner living in England, this book should be required reading for anyone living here; including the natives
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3 people found this helpful
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- Anonymous User
- 09-11-20
Amazing!
Read this book three years ago. love it!!!
Find it even more enjoyable listening to it.
love Joan Walker's reading and of course the writing from Kate Fox !!!
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- Anonymous User
- 16-07-24
Great book and performance
Excellent book on Englishness, behaviour and habits. It would be attractive for locals and foreigners
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- Lucas
- 17-03-23
One of the books ever written
If you are looking to better understand British culture, class systems, things we do and how we do them, there is no better guide than this book! It’s a must have for foreigners as well as homelands :)
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1 person found this helpful
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- Lindsay BLACKMAN
- 03-11-23
a captivating exploration of English culture and behaviour
Her book is written from an anthropological perspective. She delves into the subtle nuances of English society, dissecting the unwritten rules that govern everything from queuing etiquette to tea-drinking habits. Her keen observations and witty anecdotes make this book not only informative but also highly entertaining.
Her approach to anthropology, which she dubs "participant observation," is both insightful and humorous. She manages to unravel the quirks and idiosyncrasies of the English with a light-hearted touch. From the concept of "Englishness" to the intricate class system, she dissects these elements in a way that is accessible to both newcomers and those well-versed in English culture.
One of the strengths of "Watching the English" is her ability to balance academic rigor with an engaging narrative. She supports her observations with research and interviews, but the book never feels dry or overly academic. Instead, it reads like a conversation with a knowledgeable friend who is unraveling the mysteries of English culture.
Whether you're like me simply someone curious about the intricacies of our unique society, "Watching the English" is a must-read. and it will leave you with a deeper appreciation for the culture of this island nation.
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- fcarouge
- 05-06-23
Very useful book for a foreigner
I've been leaving in London for 15 years and still learned a lot. It was quite a cultural shock for me, coming from a latin country.
Of course we observe and figure most of it out through the years but gardens races, pubs and a few more rules of behaviour were completely new to me.
I loved the details on the social class element for each chapter, as they bring a deeper understanding.
It's the book I wish I read before moving to this country.
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- DD
- 22-07-22
One of the best book I ever read
The topics are very well explained and read.. There are repeated topics whichcould theoretically be eliminated and reduce the book to the unique contents.
Amust to read to understand the English culture.
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- Amazon Customer
- 23-01-23
Brilliant
I’ve lost count on how many people I recommended this book to already! It’s spot on when it comes to English behaviour and so funny! It should be part of top books to read for people doing business in the UK or newcomers. Just brilliant!
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