[miriwonders]

Hi, I was born and raised in Mexico Moved to the U.S. when I was 11 years old now at 26 I still find it hard to understand and be a part of american society and the way they think.
Are there any books or websites that can help me understand simple to comlex quotes or meanings of some american behaivior??

For example, I found myself lost when people said "bad news bears" I googled it but I feel so lame and not always remember all that has been said. Another one is "brownie points" but my boyfriend explained that one to me. I hang out with a lot of born and raised in america people so I often feel left out. Now with my bf's friends I don't want to seem dumb.
Also I want to start reading all sorts of books what does everyone recommend?

[vingogly]

Here are some resources you might find helpful:

Culture of the United States (Wikipedia)
American Slang
What Americans are like (from a college handbook)

But remember as you read things and meet people that there's no such thing as a "typical" American... any more than there's a "typical" Mexican. There are generational differences, too, and a person of a certain ethnic heritage may have a hard time understanding "those young kids" or "those old people". And yet, there are commonalities: everyone's ancestors came here with a certain hope, and a certain desire for freedom that might have eluded them in their countries of origin.

Make your differentness a strength... if you don't understand something, say "that's interesting, I didn't know that. Tell me more!" You'll be surprised - people will want to help you, and they certainly won't think you're dumb. And if they do, that's their problem, not yours. :)

I go to work and look around me: there are people from Pakistan, India, Russia, mainland China, the Philippines, white native-born Americans, African-Americans, Asian-Americans. They're a great bunch of people to work with. And THAT'S what America has always been about.

I can make some great book recommendations... let me know what you like to read. A novel by a Cuban American that's appropriate for this time of year that I'm very fond of is "Mr. Ives' Christmas," by Oscar Hijuelos. Very moving.

[Couchcarrot]

As I have been studying Spanish most of my life, I can understand your
situation in trying to master the colloquial expressions and everyday slang
used in another language. There is a website that is very useful. I have
referred to it to find Spanish ways of saying English quips and idioms in
Spanish. It could help you, also, because it gives the English version first,
and then lists the way it would be expressed in Spanish.

Here is the link: Like A Spaniard...

When you get to the website, click on "Speak" near the upper, left
side of the page.

[miriwonders]

I love going to book stores and just see all the diff kinds of books but I never have the guts to actually buy a book I'm too afraid I wount like it. I like self help books Im very shy and often wonder about the way I see mysdelf or what others think of me I'm very self counsious so I like to read those type of books. Also, I find that when I read articles about positive things or good points I often foret cause I'm too into the negative I notice it changes my state of mind so I like that too but lately, I want to give other books a chance like a novel but I never know where to start, I don't think I'm into the fiction ci-fi stuff more like stories about real life, mystery, suspense, scary. I think that if I get into reading this will help me with the english language I'm a slow reader and get distracted fast but I feel left out my boyfriend loves to read all his friends and ex girlfriend read all sorts of books and all I have under my belt is "how to kill a mockingbird" when I read it at school (which I loved by the way) I just want to feel smarter and read faster, gain better spelling and get into reading!
Any suggestions??

[vingogly]

Here are a few suggestions. These books may reveal a few aspects of the American experience to you:

"Life After God," Douglas Copeland. Twenty-somethings search for meaning in life.

"Souls Raised from the Dead," Doris Betts. A Southern father deals with his thirteen-year-old daughter's incurable kidney disease.

"Mr. Ives Christmeas," Oscar Hijuelos. A father deals with the anniversary of his son's shooting at Christmas.

"Dandelion Wine", Ray Bradbury. Recollection of a childhood in small-town America.

And if you like movies, here's a couple recommendation: Avalon. It's a great movie about the experiences of Jewish immigrants in America. The opening shot is breathtaking.

Finally, here's a great list of movies about the immigrant experience in this country.

[jjwoodhull]

First of all, there is no reason for you to feel dumb. I bet your English is better than their Spanish!

Try NTC's American Idioms Dictionary. It is a comprehensive dictionary of American sayings and slang.