CHAPTER I: INTRODUCTION
• Chapter IV: Analyses the American outlook on life in general, such as time and
efficiency, change and progress, optimism, unseen powers and destiny.
• Chapter V: Summaries the study, gives out some remarks and limitations of the
study. Besides, provides with the list of similar Vietnamese proverbs in
comparison to American ones and notice some appendixes.
respected and admired .They is ready to face with difficulties and hardness. It is ambition
and expectations which are two of the most motivate things inspire and support them to
non-stop trying. They also think that you can’t argue with success, simply because to get
it, you need to sacrifice your health, your mind and even your blood. That is why it
becomes very precious and respectful. Your success will be increased twice if you may
“kill two birds with one stone”- succeed in two ways through one action. Further more,
you are advised that “if you can’t beat them, join them”- this is a clever action which helps
you avoid failure but still share in their success.
Success is appreciated. The author says “the best success has to be “fair and square”.
Cheating may make success but that success is looked down on. The people only base on
luck or cheating are “always a day late and a dollar short”. Stan Nussbaum supplies us with
a broad knowledge. Success seems to be really marvelous, we feel the happiness, joy, also
glory. Thus we realize his opinion about individual success- what it is and how it works.
He assumed that success is an ideal because it is not easy for anyone to achieve, people
have right to dream of it and try their best to win what they desire. Furthermore, he inspires
us strength to think of possible success if we attempt. All is well that ends well are totally
right. Step forward and the next door will open.
1. One thing at a time: Do not focus on too many things at the same time. Just only
one in order for you can do it well enough or else you will fail and get no
achievement, even that is only a small and easy thing.
2. When in Rome do as the Romans do: Become accustomed to the new place will
support you to be more confident and easier to succeed.
3. Don’t put the cart before the horse: Do not be too hasty, you had better think
over and wait for the right time.
4. Easy do it: If you find something is beyond your ability, you may stop. Do not
push much pressure on that.
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5. Flattery will get you nowhere: Flattery may be insincere praise. Thus, instead of
bringing you benefits, it could harm you. Be careful!
We see that setting goals and choosing strategies require many things. The author tends
to use exposition method to explain, such as these proverbs describe strategies as
concentration just one thing at a time; flexibility When in Rome does as the Romans
do- you should adopt the customs of the people or country you are visiting and behave in
the same way; common sense don’t put the cart before the horse and gentleness Easy
does it. Avery successful man knows how to make use of most possible strategies and put
it into practice.
1. Go for it: Do not worry about failure or difficulties. Go ahead and try your best.
2. The sky is limited: You can do all things you want as troubles will be nothing if
you do not hesitate.
3. So far so good: Confidence increases step by step. In that the father you go, the
more confident you feel.
4. We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it: An obvious truth is that whenever
we are in an urgent condition, we ourselves immediately know how to deal with
it. Keep calm and everything naturally goes well.
5. Practice makes perfect: Efforts will be paid if you try continually and doing
something repeatedly is the only way to become good at it.
6. The bigger they are, the harder they fall: Do not be afraid of big hurdles or a
strong competitor. Think carefully and you will surely find out the solutions.
Confidence helps American do things well. They leave out scare and worry. I have ever
heard about a very meaningful saying of William Osler “Let’s split life into separated
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sections, each day is a section”- This means life is full of obstacles and challenges, but if
you know the ways to make it easy, firstly think of what you must do today, do not bother
about difficulties of tomorrow or about mistakes in the past, believe in yourselves, you will
succeed. And confidence is mentioned here.
1. Look before you leap: Haste gets nothing. Think carefully and plan strategies
before jumping into a situation. Consider possible consequences before taking
action.
2. All that glitters is not goal: Do not be cheated by the invaluable things that seem
to be alike precious things. What look good on the outside may not be so in
reality.
3. There is no such thing as a free lunch: Watch out. Some one can take advantage
of you if you have ever received gifts or money of theirs.
4. Seeing is believing: You should not over believe in what you have no seen yet.
5. Where there’s smoke, there’s fire: Before something happens, there are some
unusually signals. If you see them, you will overcome without any hesitation.
6. Time will tell: Wait and see how things will work out.
7. Better safe than sorry: Do not take risk foolishly or else you will get nowhere.
It’s better to be too careful than to be careless and regret it later.
8. Don’t count the children before they are hatched: Don’t be overconfident about
achievements that you have not got.
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9. Pride goes before a fall: Self-congratulation is a serious disease. You had better
control yourselves before everything goes out of your thinking.
10. Don’t bite off more than you can chew: Greed is a harmful dose. Better
consider your strength.
11. The burned child shuns fire: Some one must pay for his mistake, but
thanks to it, he will not make the same one twice.
In fact, Americans’ attitude toward taking risk is very clearly. “If you want to go to
Belize and open a boarding house, you do. If you want to walk alone to the North Pole, go
ahead”.
Stan Nussbaum shows us a truth that American tend to be risk-takers. He assumes that
excellent risk-takers have lots of experience to judge what is wrong, what is right. So, they
can avoid big mistakes and worthless failure on the way to success. Though these above
proverbs are like warnings and sometimes they may discourage those who are not
confident enough, they are helpful guidance about what risk-takers should keep in mind
whenever they take risks. That is, may be an advice of seeing such as, Look before you
leap; all that glitters is not goal; seeing is believing. Or the evidence of a problem where
there’s smoke, there’s fire. Anyway, whenever and wherever you feel a danger, stop and
reconsider for a while at least in that better safe than sorry or there is no such thing as a
free lunch – Time will tell.
Moreover, from the analyzing of the author, we understand that risk-taking is good, yet
it will be unwise if it is unnecessary. Be aware of yourselves don’t bite off more than you
can chew; Overconfidence results in pride goes before a fall because something may
happen to make you look foolish and also should not be arrogant or should not foretell that
something will be successful, saying, don’t count the chickens before they are hatched.
7. While there is life there is hope: Try to stand up even if you have not seen
anyway that your situation will improve.
8. Rome wasn’t built in a day: Like practice make perfect, success takes time. Do
not worry, patience is important. Furthermore, it must take a long time to do a
job properly. You should not expect to do it quickly.
9. If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again: Do not give up.
10. There is other fish in the sea: Success come after many failures, consider
another way to redo.
“ Difficulty is what makes success so sweet to us” said the author. That’s right; no
perfect success has no difficulties encountered. Hence, we are taken inspiration to attempt
more when the going gets touch, the touch gets going.
These proverbs advise people not to surprise if one’s first attempt is not completely
successful. Do not lose your confidence as Rome wasn’t built in a day. In addition, if you
really feel that you are handle other better opportunities, you can certainly start looking for
another way to succeed provided that you do not stop seeking success.
2. To each his own: Each person is entitled to his or her own personal tastes and
opinions
3. Looking out for number one: Do not only take care of yourself and your
interests, rather than those of people.
4. Be true to yourself: Be who you are. Have the courage to accept yourself as you
really are, not as someone else thinks you should be. Do not action or pretend to
be some one else for the sake of gaining acceptance.
5. The customer is always right: Businesses instruct their clerks to listen to the
customers and request them to respect and do nothing that might threaten to a
customer’s self-esteem.
“Whatever promote self-esteem is good and whatever diminishes it is bad…They all
attempt to assert one person’s dignity in a way that tears down the dignity of some one
else”. A 1989 study of mathematical skills compared students in eight different countries.
American ranked lowest in mathematical competence and Korean students ranked highest.
But the researcher also asked students to rate how good they were at mathematics. The
American ranked highest in self-judged mathematical ability, while the Koreans ranked
lowest. This is certainly an example of a feel-good psychology keep students from an
accurate perception of reality. The self-esteem theory predicts that only those who feel
good about themselves will do well, which is supposedly why students need it. From that
point, we see that Americans are those who are full of self-esteem. They think that “they
are the most important in the whole world”. Their daily sayings cover with self-esteem
such as, when a man pay court to a girl he could say “you are the most beautiful girl in the
world” or a successful trade man may boast himself as the cleverest, etc. Or Julius Cesar,
Napoleon, Hitler, and Stalin were all men determined to prove they were big. In fact,
feeling good about yourselves may simply make you overconfident, narcissistic and unable
to work hard. The above proverbs also advise us something like To each his own – this
could apply to a person’s choice of romantic partner or musical preference or political
leanings or any other pursuits- what might appear offensive or unappealing to some may be
quite the opposite for others; Be true to yourself- a meaningful proverb to who is living
deceitfully because “He who trim himself to suit everyone will soon whittle himself away”
said Raymond Hull.
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II.1.3: FUN
Fun is a thing that not only Americans but also
everyone in the world desire to have. Such a wonderful
time makes us feel comfortable and relaxed. Moments
to do whatever you like and go wherever you want.
Having fun means having tonics. When experiencing
this, we dispel sadness, worry, and tiredness and forget
bad memories, think of better things.
1. 1. Time flies
when you are having fun: A day goes by quickly when you enjoy your life with
fun. In contrast, it seems like an eternity if you are in trouble.
2. If you feel good, do it: Do not hesitate, do what you like. Forget rules, regulation
or consequences. Just have fun.
3. You only go around once in life: Why do you leave your fun? Enjoy life and
you will see how wonderful it is.
4. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy: Everybody needs a certain
amount of relaxation. It is not good to work all the time.
5. The more the merrier: The bigger the group, the bigger the party.
6. It takes two to tango: In the tango, it requires a couple to cooperate. One will not
dance the tango.
For Americans, there are many things called fun such as, love is fun, sex is fun,
shopping is fun, games and so on. In my point of view, Americans love having fun. Except
busy working days, they spend time on relaxing. That is, maybe, going on an excursion, go
out for a picnic with the family or friends, going shopping, playing tennis, etc. That is the
reason why we see they travel around the year. Weekend automobile trips are a tradition
for many families, as are longer summer vacation trips. Also car travel is the most leisure
activity in America. Most Americans enjoy sports, such as baseball, football, basketball
and hockey, as well as golf and tennis- both playing sports themselves and watching their
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favorite sports and teams. They are some popular leisure and entertainment activities in
America.
These above proverbs emphasize the importance of relaxation, recreation. Americans
use them very often as they want to give some one an advice All work and no play makes
Jack a dull boy- a criticism to those who never or seldom spend time having fun. As we
know, success is extremely important but having fun is not less important. Nevertheless,
fun is necessary thing we need to be ready on the way to success. We seem to recognize
that, fun is even multiple when it is shared the more the merrier. Let us enjoy this life
because we only go around once in life.
only want to concentrate on playing and having fun but forgetting doing school work, can
not have success.
love, money or they can play to win. This seems to be right when we take a serious look at
these.
II.2.1. LOVE
Love is also a thing that they hope to
possess. Love brings everybody different
feelings, happiness, excitement, pride and even
grief. Thus, Americans assume that they are in
love they just feel that they achieve three basic
goals, that success, self-esteem and fun.
To American, love often accompanies with sex. Most of them still see it as a success to
have steady, enjoyable love relationship, they subdue their partner and they become
winners. Their self-esteem also goes up when they are loved passionately; they think they
are the most important person in the world. Moreover sex is fun, they enjoy romantic
moments to be by their lover’s side. So, love is like a marvelous key to open a wonderful
door taking people to the real world.
II.2.2. MONEY
Money is the key to social position, and it is
nearly impossible to be upper class without it. Thus
the seriousness of money. Esthen Wauning wrote
“If I make a lot of money, I can drive a Mercedes,
buy a big house. And join a country club. I will be
accepted, not just because I have the money, but
because the money proves that I have performed in
society at a high level…”.
1. Time is money: Time is valuable and should not be wasted.
2. Money talks: Wealth has influence. They can do things that the poor can not.
3. Beggars can not be choosers: Beggars have no right to choose whatever they
will be received.
4. Money can’t buy happiness: Money is important but it does not mean that it is
all.
5. The love of money is the root of all evil: Greed makes people cruel. Even
sometimes they can not aware of this.
Not every one, of course, admires money-takes, but we respect those who earn money
validly. Time is money, they say. They do not waste time because if every minute goes by,
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they will lose their money without doing something. In addition, they assume that money
talks – money has omnipotent power and money is the means of measuring the success of
some one. Hence, beggars can not be choosers as the result of having no money-no
power or choices. However, American people also advise that it is better to not attach too
much importance to money, may be you have a lot of money but no one stands by you
when necessary. Furthermore, they indicate a danger of greed as the love of money is the
root of all evil. On the whole, earning much money is important thus we should not
overestimate it in case it will become harmful. Also, money proves that you have a high
self-esteem, others will respect you and money helps you go everywhere. Besides, money
can buy fun; of course, a millionaire can travel for fun all around the world if they have in
hand a big amount of money but the poor can not. That is the reason why we state that in
the point of view of American, money brings them success, self-esteem and fun.
1. We’re number one: this means “we are the best” – a statement aims at
supporting people to try.
2. It isn’t whether you win or not, it’s how you play the game: This saying is
used to solace some one who has lost the game. It means that the most
important thing is playing fair and square but always succeeding.
3. Winning isn’t everything: Same as the previous saying, do not disappoint, you
should proud if you have ever attempted and tried your best.
We know that a price to be paid for success: competition. But in each race, only one
person rewarded. It does not mean that others are losers, on the contrary, they are worth to
praise themselves because of attempts. People who like to compete and are more
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successful than others are honored by being called winners it isn’t whether you win or
not, it’s how you play the game. On the other hand, those who do not like to compete and
are not successful when they try are often dishonored by being called losers. This is
especially true for American men, and it is becoming more and more true for women.
Therefore, playing to win means you achieve your goal, you are looked up to and you are
happy to enjoy your victory.
1. Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness: this sentence is stated in the
American Declaration of Independence in 1776. It indicated the three primary
rights of American citizens including freedom.
2. The land of the free and the home of the brave: this is extracted from the
national anthem of America. It reminds the pride of free and brave countries.
3. We shall overcome: this proverb motivates Americans (especially minorities)
to overcome discrimination and prove their freedom.
Americans think of their society is right-based. They do not object to following rules,
but they want to know that they are fair and the same for everyone. Even children are
taught from a young age to “stick up for your rights”. Said as Esthen Wauning “These
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equal rights are essential to the idea of America as a nation in which “all men are created
equal”. However, the discrimination still exists. So, some gives out a slogan we shall
overcome to support civil rights for each. Freedom is an equal right to all, that is right, and
it plays a very important role helping Americans reach their goal simpler. They can do
anything to serve their purposes without any interference. Success is possible when they
have freedom.
2. You’ve got to take the bull by the horns: Never be discouraged. Try harder.
3. Money doesn’t grow on the tree: You should not waste your money because it
is not plentiful.
4. Necessity is the mother if invention: The need for something forces people to
find a way of obtaining it.
5. Too many cooks spoil the broth: If too many people are involved in
something, it will not be done properly.
Americans are ‘doers”, they never stop trying to seek a better life and often believe
progress is possible and any individual can make it, so taking initiative is the next step
when they are already free. Also, they expect approval though any result may come to
them-“success is better than failure but failure is better than not trying”.
their all life. They always push themselves into pressure. Thanks to goal-oriented
citizens, now America has become the strongest countries in the whole world.
• We Vietnamese appropriate the importance of self-esteem. Anyone who insults us
will be seen as attackers and we normally fight against. But for Americans, self-
esteem will be higher if you achieve your goals but if you do not, you are still
respected because of your attempts, not only your results.
• Vietnamese seem to spend much time to have fun such as chatting, watching TV,
listening to music and so on. But Americans are busy people, although they aware
of how fun is necessary, there is little time to have fun on the way trying to reach
the goals. So, weekends and holidays are the freest time for them to have fun.
• Vietnamese think that the essentials for achieving success base on temper, skills,
behavior, will and knowledge while American assume that to achieve success a
person need to set goals, choose strategies, have confidence, determination and take
risks.
These are only simple things to make you understand more about the two countries.
Aims to do this are not to compare which culture is better. We just take a look at, think and
try to learn something from a different culture to enrich our knowledge. It is very helpful to
accept good values, however we should integrate, do not mix up with. In addition, in this
chapter, the author discussed much about the necessary values. They are really helpful to
understand the special characteristics of American culture. He argued, illustrated the main
points by means of giving out the typical proverbs and then comparing to make it clearer.
It seems that the author’s arguments are true. We can easily find this information in a
variety of sources. And I am sure that they have the same opinions to what the author of
this book already gave.
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3. There’s many a slip between the cup and the lip: A person can still fail even
when their plans are good. Sometimes we can not have a cake and eat it too.
4. Better the devil you know than the devil you don’t: It is better to deal with
somebody difficult but familiar than change and risk dealing with somebody
worse.
5. The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence: people are often
greedy. Seldom do we satisfy with what we have. We always want to have
anything we desire.
Just a few proverbs but they show us some useful information for finding out about
Americans. As the author wrote “Americans recognize that all human beings have faults”,
that is right because to err is human- it is human nature to make mistakes, therefore one
should forgive. Besides, human always wants to have all, we planned carefully, we try our
best but nothing goes smoothly forever. Although sometime we seem to reach the
destination, it does not happen as expected. It is like “when one is drinking from the cup,
one intends to get all the drink into the mouth, but this does not always happen” (Page 25).
In the book, Stan Nussbaum discussed much about selfishness and self-interest. He
explained that Americans think selfishness is totally different from self-interest. So do I
They are considered as the negative sides of human. A selfish person only cares for himself
not any others but a person who is self-interest only aims to take advantage of others and
make their own benefits.
III.1.2. AGE
It is true that the freest, happiest and probably best years of people’s lives often come
during the youth. It seems that Americans, especially women, are afraid of becoming older.
Because it means that they will look bad, have less energy, less strength and lost of
liveliness. Many of them try to find efficient methods to make them younger and cosmetic
surgeons are the best one to serve their wish. That is the reason why “America worships its
children” (p.27). So they are trying to do all things possible before the old age comes.
1.A man is only as old as he feels: This proverb supports people to think
positively. Age is not important and dangerous as it is.
2.You are only young once: Do what you can when you are young. If not, you
will regret later.
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We find out a few proverbs that talk about age. Americans think that the youth is an
ideal time which is the time of choices, vitality and freedom. The author referred to the
word “retirement”- “It is seen as a time of self-indulgence” that means they come to the
days without competitions, ambitions and dreams. They move away and enjoy their age
“Retired people do not expect to be looked up to or even paid much attention by younger
people. They do not expect anyone to show special respect for them or seek their advice”
(P.27).Now most older people live on their own, generally stay in contact with their
children but might live in a different part of the country. Modern American culture tends to
value youth rather than age. Normally, we often see many American elders living in
retirement home as well as receiving Social security program.
However, may be, retired people will feel comfortable when they really have free time
to relax. Moreover, a mount of money helps them enjoy the rest of life. They are also free-
no obligations or stress, no one can force them to do what they do not like.
II.1.3. GENDER
Today the difference in social position between men and women is minimized. Time is
still flies and the society has changed. Both men and women play very important roles in
all aspects. There are several proverbs about this.
1.A man’s home is his castle: Home is the best place for men to dominate.
2.A man may work from sun to sun, but woman’s work is never done: There is
no-name work that women have to do all day. In contrast, men work long
hours but they have time to rest after work.
3.Beauty is only skin deep: A person’ character is more important than their
appearance.
4.It’s a woman’s prerogative to change her mind: Women now have more
rights to decide things than in the past.
1.Two heads are better than one: Frankly, two people are likely to get
achievement than only one.
2.Many hands make light work: Sharing work makes work easier.
3.There is safety in numbers: Being in a crowded makes you feel more
confident.
4.Blood is thicker than water: Family relationships are stronger than
relationships with other people.
5.Two is company and three is a crowd: Two people are good enough to do one
thing. There is no need to add more.
6.Birds of a feather flock together: People of the same sort are usually found
together.
“Americans enjoy groups but don’t like group obligations”. This becomes true because
when they are in group, they will feel safe in a crowd there is safety in numbers, will
share hobbies birds of a feather flock together and will heighten kinship blood is thicker
than water. Yet, the reason why Americans do not like to be in groups because of rules
and obligations. Most Americans would like to join a group easily and leave it as soon as
possible if it does not satisfy or serve their benefits. Normally “Personal freedom or self-
development is rarely scarified for the sake of a group”, so a group only exists when it
meets the one’s needs. To some extent, a group will last for a long time if its members join
hands to make it develop, certainly when a group work efficiently, all members will be
close-knit.
1. Charity begins at home: A person’s first duty is to help and care for his own
family.
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2. There is no place like home: Home is the place of relaxing time, people stay
together and share feelings
3. Home is where the heart is: You call home the place where the people you
love are.
4. Like father, like son: A son’s character can be expected to resemble his
father’s
5. Spare the rod and spoil the child: If you do not punish a child when he does
wrong, you will spoil his character.
A “typical” British family used to consist of mother, father and three children or we say
“nuclear family”, but in recent years there have been many changes in family life. The
changes caused by at least two reasons: the rate of divorced couples and the number of the
elders who wants to live in nursing home. To statistic in the Spotlight on the USA by
Randee Falk “Approximately 1 in every 2 marriages ends in divorce”, so America tends to
have nontraditional families and single-parents. In addition, members of family-
grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins- keep in touch, but they see less of each other than
they used to. This is because people often move away from their home town to work, and
so the family becomes scattered. There are many proverbs discussing about family life,
they aims are mainly to recall people to its values home, sweet home and there is no place
like home. To be frank, if we want to recover strong family relationships, these proverbs
will not help us much like spare the rod and spoil the child- said the author. Not only
Americans but also we Vietnamese wonder that how the future of American family will be.
“Experts say, however, that the family is as strong as ever, family is still at the center of
most people’s lives”- Randee Falk- Home is where the heart is.
1. Enough is enough: It is time for some one to stand up for their rights
instead of endurance.
2. Silence is consent: If you do not object to some thing it can be assumed that
you agree with it.
3. Two wrongs do not make a right: It is wrong to harm some one because
they have harmed you.
4. Honesty is the best policy: It is always better to be honest.
5. What goes around comes a round: the same as if you scratch my back, I’ll
scratch yours. Once did you harm some one, they may take revenge you.
6. Justice is blind: It means that the judge becomes “blind” when they return a
verdict.
7. Finders keepers, losers weepers: This is aimed to justify keeping something
some one picked up in a public place.
Justice and fairness are the same rights to all people in the world. Americans like them
and we too. They say enough is enough to declare to some one that “I have had enough of
the unjust things you are doing to me or to the ones I love. I am not going to take it
anymore. I am going to act to put some justice into this situation” (P.33). Stan Nussbaum
indicated that a person right begins at birth and all have the equal rights. If one interferes or
violates another interest, he will be considered as a hostile. Furthermore, justice is blind- a
picture of a blindfolded woman holding a pair of scale. She is thought to be weighing the
evidence, not the people concern. An advice to everybody honesty is the best policy,
that’s right, we have right to hear the truth and people have the duty not to tell a lie.
2. The devil made me do it: This is used for some one to defend his mistakes.
3. You made the bed, you lie in it: If you make a mistake, you will be
responsible for it.
4. Be sure your sins will find you out: Any crime must be paid. No one can
cover up forever.
5. The pot calling the kettle black: You should not gossip and criticize others
or else you will be called talebearer.
6. There are two sides to everything: A person always has a good and a bad
side. Try to control your bad side in order to make you become better.
This is obviously true when Americans only like to take credit success because “this
protects their self-esteem”. They are afraid of being looked down on or being called losers.
However, crime pays, everyone must admit their mistakes you made the bed and you lie
in it. We should tell a lie, anyway a truth will be reveal, we can not keep it so long be sure
your sins will find you out. Although we realize that everything has two sides, as I have
said, it is better to make the good side improve and the bad one disappear. If you accept
these advices, at least you will be what you are. The author of this book also appreciates
this.
III.2.7. CONFLICTS
The life contains lots of conflicts as we said in the first chapter. Also, people try to find
the ways make them easy. We say Americans are doing their best to do this.
III.2.7.1 Avoiding conflict
1. Let a sleeping dog lie:
2. The pen is mighter than the sword:
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3. People who live in glass houses should not throw stone: One should not
criticize others for faults similar to own’s ones.
4. Stick a and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me: This
saying means physical attacks may harm some one, but cruel word will not.
To avoid a conflict, it is better for Americans not to talk about sensitive issues such as
religion or politics. Because these often lead dissimilarity and an argument is possible to
happen. So do let a sleeping dog lie. Moreover, we should not disparage others’ faults.
People who are being insulted will stand up for his right. Be careful.
III.2.7.2 Revenge or Forgiveness
Life is complex. Sometimes we ask our self whether it is possible to against some one
as a response to a real or perceived grievance. The goal of revenge usually consists of
forcing the perceived wrong doer to suffer the same or greater pain than that which was
originally inflicted. By contrast, when thinking over, we assume that every one in the
world all makes mistake. It is generous to forgive rather than revenge. From that point, the
author of this book provides us with these proverbs:
1. He who laughs last, laughs best: You should not criticize some one’s
mistakes or else you will be disparaged more strictly when making the same
mistakes latter.
2. Revenge is sweet: Some times revenge makes people closer.
3. Forgive and forget: You should stop thinking of the ways to avenge.
Forgive and then you forget. There is no pain or regret left.
4. Let bygone be bygones: Some thing happened; you had better not to recall
it.
5. Time heals all wounds: No pain, no wound lasts forever if you try to take it
easy.
American proverbs tend to give some advice to its citizen not to make contradictions.
He who laughs last, laughs best- life seem to be equal to all, we do not laugh at others’
pain and failures, instead we should express our sympathy and shareness. Some even says
revenge is sweet like an exception- we act as if we want to take revenge, in fact we show
our love or a bit trick to others. A very meaningful proverb let bygone be bygones makes
me feel worth to acquire. Thinking about the past over time makes us sad and
disappointed, let us forget and go on looking forward and time heals all wounds.
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2. Time flies: We can not keep or bind time. So, make it beneficial to you.
5. Opportunities only knocks once: Make use of the chance you have just given.
Do not miss opportunites that come a long.
6. The early bird catches the worm: If you want to do some thing successfully,
you should do is as soon as possible.
7. Better late than never: It is better to do some thing, even if it is late, than not
do it at all.
Time waits for no man, of cource, time is all important to Americans.An anthropologist
Edward T.Hall says “we are (America) a monochronic culture, meaning we operate
according to schedules, doing one thing at a time”. Working with a time table may help
people save more time and do not leave it wastefully. When the bell rings, the class is over,
no matter how interesting the discussion at that moment”. It is likely that when Asian
people come to America, they see American as robots, they work and work very hard. We
think that perhaps they do not have enough time for pleasure. Because one thing is that
they desire to draw their proud life- time is one of their tools making every minutes
count. Besides they suppose that if you can not catch it as soon as possible, you will try
and continue doing better late than never.
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2. The worm turns: You do not expect all thing stay the same. They are
changing so much.
3. The darkest hour is just before the dawn: There is hope eben in the worst of
times.
They have a deep belief that all things are going to get better as tomorrow is another
day. That is, in the near future, scientists will find out the cure for AIDS, for cancer and
other fatal diseases and that the world will develop and all people live in happiness,
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richness and liberty. What a wonderful the future is. They still hope and belive in changes
that make real progresses.
2. History repeats itself: If some one do not change their ways or learn from
mistakes of others, he/she will repeat them.
3. The leopard can not change his spot: A bad person tries to change for better
but falls in to the same mistakes all over again.
By the three proverbs, surely, we realise that to change for better is not very easy. Some
thing can not be changed efficiently. We say “it is waste of time trying to change
unchangeable things”- history repeats itself or “it is too late for changing”- you can not
teach an old dog new tricks. Though changing at a deep level is difficult, we can do if we
go step by step. Frankly, nothing is impossible when absorbing in it.
IV.3 OPTIMISM
The Oxford dictionary defines “Optimism as
hopefulness and confidence about the future or
success of something”. That Americans seem to be.
They have a slogan go for it- do things without
hesitation. In my opinion, we- Vietnamese should
learn some thing from our counterpart. Instead of
thinking negatively, we should change our look
andmake all attempts to get progress.
1. Look on the bright side: The better you think, the more pleasant you feel.
2. Every cloud has a silver lining: There is a positive or hopeful side to every
unpleasure situation.
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3. Half a load is better than no bread at all: You should be grateful for
something, even if it is not as much as you want.
4. Lightning never strikes twice in the same place: An unusual event is not
likely to occur again in exactly the same circumstances.
Stan Nussbaum says “these proverbs represent an underlying American cultural belief
that we should be positive about life, even the parts of life seem difficult”. This statement
sounds right, always look on the bright side helps people believe in themselves and keep
trying to success. The proverb every cloud has a silver lining indicates that if a person
meet lots of bad luck, it does not mean this will last long anymore, the good ones will
come from bad ones because lightning never strikes twice in the same place.
people mainly live in a realistic world, so it had better not to hope or wait for good luck,
they does not grow on trees; by contrast we should make luck by ourselves.
CHAPTER V: CONCLUSION
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to review it the best. Any way, this book is written for anybody who both likes studying
American culture and loves learning English through common proverbs. Why don’t you
try to discover? I am sure that after reading the whole book, you will find many things
useful to you in the English studying process. The book is divided into chapters, it is easy
to find out your interested topics. And each topic represents a thesis.
Finally, I would like to say “Learning a foreign language is not an easy work, if you
want to make success yourselves, try to learn much about culture”.
V.2. LIMITATIONS
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Nothing is perfect. This proverb seems to be right all the time. As far as I am
concern, this book is written by the enthusiasm and big attemps. Why? Because to
review a book of a professor is not simple. The writer/ reviewer has to understand
the materical first and then- the most difficult step- convey the contents and
purposes of the author. Actually, I myself have never reviewed such a book like
this before. So, when doing this research, I already encountered a lot of obstacles.
Go for it and we will cross it when we come to it- I always think so to motivate
myself.
Because of the limitation of time and the scope of theme, certainly, I made lots
of mistake. I am sure that I need the advice of all people. The mistakes and
weaknesses remaining in this research is mine alone.
If I have more time, I will do much more on this book. This book “The ABCs
of American culture” is a helpful material. At first, you may not care for it at all
but when you read only a few pages, the inspiration to be continued will attract
you.
To be frank, Stan Nussbaum- author of the book detailed the information very
well. May be, due to some aspects, the book still has some weaknesses. That is,
sometimes, he went deeply into analysing a respect and unintentionally forgot to
explain the necessary topic; or he complicated some issues that interferce the
personal opinions. These are only my subjective attitude. On the whole, this book
is very interesting and it is possible to upgrade it to the second step instead of the
first step toward understanding the American people.
Appendix I
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In this book, the author mentioned to ten commandments of American culture at the
introduction. Thus I did not place them at the same place. Instead, I want to provide you
with this as a kind of further reading because all these proverbs and sayings already
offerred in the review. They are the most common ones in America. Commandments
advise people not to break any of them or else Americans think you do not fit well there,
and even you will be insulted or criticized.
Appendix II
ALPHABETICAL LIST OF PROVERBS QUOTED
AMERICAN – VIETNAMESE
117 There are other fish in the sea Thua keo này ta bày keo khác
118 There are two sides to everything Mọi thứ đều tồn tại hai mặt
119 There is an exception to every rule ---
120 There is no harm in trying ---
121 There is no such thing as a free lunch Của biếu là của lo của cho là của nợ
122 There’s many slip between the cup and the lip Miếng ăn đến miệng còn rơi
123 Time and tide wait for no man Thời gian chẳng đợi chẳng chờ
124 Time flies when you are having fun Thời gian trôi nhanh khi niềm vui đến
125 Time flies ---
126 Time heals all wounds Thời gian hàn gắn những vết thương
127 Time is money Thời gian là tiền bạc
128 Time marches on Thời gian không đợi chờ ai
129 To each his own Việc ai nấy làm
130 To err is human Nhân vô thập toàn
131 Tomorrow is another day Mai là một ngày khác
132 Too many cooks spoil the broth Lắm thầy thối ma
133 Two heads are better than one Hai vẫn hơn một
134 Two is company and three is a crowd ---
135 Two wrongs do not make a right Đừng viện cớ bào chữa
136 Variety is the spice of life Đa dạng là hương vị của cuộc sống
137 We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it ---
138 We are number one Chúng ta là số 1
139 What goes a round comes a round ---
140 What will be will be Cái gì đến sẽ đến
141 When in Rome do as the Roman do Nhập gia tuỳ tục
142 When the going gets touch, the touch get Cái khó ló cái khôn
going
143 Where there’s a will, there’s a way Có chí thì nên
144 Where there’s smoke there’s fire Có lửa thì mới có khói
145 While there is a hope there’s a life ---
146 Winning is not everything Chiến tháng không phải là tất cả
147 You are only young once Cuộc đời chỉ có 1 lần xuân
148 You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t Bạn tạo cơ hội cho người ta nhưng họ vẫn có
make him drink thể bỏ cơ hội ấy
149 You can’t argue with success Không ai có thể phủ nhận được thành công
150 You can’t have your cake and eat it too Được cái nọ mất cái kia
151 You can’t teach an old dog new tricks Tre già khó uốn
152 You made the bed you lie in it Mình làm mình chịu
153 You only go around once in life Đời chỉ có 1 lần thanh xuân
154 You’ve take the bull by the horn Không sợ khó khăn nguy hiểm