Kalengirl's Weblog

I spent almost three months in the UK and I read three books while I was there, one of three books was Welcome to Everytown A Journey into the English Mind by Julian Baggini. The writer feels like an outsider in his own country and as a foreigner (Me), it was nice to get some inside information about the new people I was living with.Julian lived for six month in a district he thought would have more natives English. He did everything the people from his new home did; he even read their favorite newspapers the Sun and Daily Mail. In Panama, those newspapers would be La Critica y El Siglo, which are working-class newspaper.

The English culture and the Panamanian Culture are very different. In the first few days you spend in the UK, your tolerance will be test and it is best to know a little bit about the culture before interacting with the people. You could get upset when things are not done the way you are use to. Besides, if you have asperger syndrome you might feel frustrate at times too.

Welcome to Everytown, gives you information about the English way of eating and their food. Where lunches are base on sandwiches, chips and cola drinks; something I also saw in the USA while I was studying there. The most popular television shows for my surprise are the same as in any other Latin-America country. (talk shows, entertainment shows and soap operas)

Julian Baggini’s book is an-easy-to read book and most first time visitors to the UK will agree with many of his thoughts. The book has 256 pages and you can find Julian’s book in two pounds bookstore or new for 14.99 pounds.

If you’re planning on living in the UK for a few months it will be a good idea to read a book about the culture and the people, you’re adaptation to the new culture will be less difficult.

I recommend this book to foreigners spending a long time in the UK