I've often heard it mentioned that life in the USA in the 1950s was 'innocent'. I get a vague understanding of this of course; family values were high, conservatism was the norm, morality was almost Victorian etc., but what exactly does 'innocence' mean when used to describe a society at large, 1950s USA in particular? [more inside]
posted by Senza Volto on Jun 12, 2011 - 67 answers

What are some small differences you've noticed about the US? Examples: My Japanese friend says that in Japan, large buildings have multiple public entrance/exits. My Dutch friend says that in the Netherlands, women shower in the gym showers. Specifically, I'm interested in things that could imply some theory (elaborate or not) of US culture, of some region of the US.
posted by oneous on Feb 11, 2011 - 115 answers

In order to prepare a competitive examination, I've got to delve deep into North American counterculture history. What should I read ? [more inside]
posted by nicolin on Feb 8, 2011 - 26 answers

A few months ago I read about French-Canadian immigration into the U.S. from the 1840s to 1930s. Evidently, some of these immigrants established "Little Canadas." I'd like to learn more about them. [more inside]
posted by Korou on Aug 31, 2009 - 17 answers

I've got the opportunity to do an American Exchange next Autumn from my UK University for about 15 weeks. What are the key culture changes that I'll experience? Of course, there's [more inside]
posted by philsi on Dec 11, 2006 - 17 answers

How do I teach 10 or so Indonesian academics and postgraduate students how to "ace" their US Embassy visa interviews and "prep" for life in the US? Personal experiences with the US immigration process? What are some interview strategies you can pass on to my students? [more inside]
posted by mdonley on Jun 2, 2006 - 2 answers

Bookfilter: I'm looking for books about the US written by non-USians for a non-USian audience. I'd like to learn how non-USians see the US and how US society is described to non-USians. I'm especially interested in fiction, but travelogues, memoirs, and cultural anthropology would be fine. Even well-written blogs would be ok. [more inside]
posted by luneray on Apr 11, 2005 - 16 answers

Here's what could be called an urgent question for Europeans who make their living writing (amongst other things) about the United States. How do you explain to intelligent Europeans that "America" is actually as big and varied a proposition as "Europe"? If not more. [More inside.] [more inside]
posted by MiguelCardoso on Apr 7, 2004 - 20 answers