Gebrauchsanweisung für Amerika
After reading the The Pursuit of Unhappiness I discovered that Paul Watzlawick has written a Guide to America?
Not before long I will go to this country myself so why not broaden my horizon a little. 
The book itself is relatively old, it was first published in 1987 and in 2002 the sixth renewed edition was released. Even though I think it hasn’t lost its actuality. But to be absolutely sure I should judge this book after my stay in America.
Anyway, I would like to say a few things about this book:
First of all this book is not an all you need to know guide. It just shows certain differences between Europeans and Americans. For example that our first floor is the second floor and that Americans start finger counting with the forefinger. Moreover he also gives insight to the American way of life which might help my getting used to their habits more easily.
Although I can not give a final validation on the book I still would recommend it to people who plan to go to America.
Edit: I forgot to mention that the author recommends taking a prescription for the glasses with you. Because in the USA you can not get new glasses at the optician without a recipe from an oculist. Even though with an recipe from an European optician you will get glasses =)
June 14th, 2008 at 11:18 am
“Not before long I will go myself to this country” -> “Not before long I will go to this country myself”
“hasn’t lost the actuality” -> “hasn’t lost its actuality”
“recipe” –> “prescription”: Recipe is only used in cooking. If you are talking about a “Rezept” you get from a doctor, you use “prescription”
Sounds like an interesting book, unfortunately my to-read list is way too long to read this one as well
June 14th, 2008 at 12:09 pm
Thanks!
The book is only about 150 pages and further more it is a small book. It won’t take long to read it through.
But I know the problem: I’m sure I can’t finish my to-read list before I leave for America.