Book Review: Stuff White People Like

Based on his popular blog site, Christian Lander wrote Stuff White People Like, a book featuring one man's quest to educate the world on the unique taste of white people.  I bought the book just prior to boarding a red-eye flight to Kansas City a few weeks ago, and I'd say this book is absolutely perfect for that very context.  It is a light, fast read, highly entertaining (including some moments when you will laugh out loud), and it requires very little brain energy to process it.  Like I said . . . perfect for a 7 AM flight.

Here's the simple premise.  Lander has made 150 observations about the unique and quirky "stuff" that white people tend to enjoy, things that people of another race or ethnicity would find utterly bizzare.  It's all couched in sarcastic language and written as if he's a filmographer for National Geoographics observing the mating habits of wild Gorillas.  Now, it's important to understand that, contrary to his book's premise, Lander is ONLY talking about a certain type of white person. 

These are not "good ole boy" types that he's observing. The white people he's observing are the urban, young, liberal, yuppie types.  So think Lincoln Park, not DeKalb, IL.  Think Austin, TX not Midland, TX.  Think Boulder, CO not Grand Junction.  In other words, he's talking about the 50% of white people who voted for Obama (he made #8 on the list) and either drive a Prius or feel guilty that they don't (#60), not the 50% of white people who voted for McCain and have no intentions of trading in their SUVs.

That being said, whether you fit the profile or not, you probably know someone who does, and this book hits that nail on the head.  Here's a brief look at some of the stuff white people like:

#2 - Religions Their Parents Don't Belong To: "For the most part, white people prefer religions that provide artifacts and furniture that fit into their home or wardrobe."

#14 - Having Black Friends: "The most important role that black friends can play in white culture is that they can be used as physical evidence that white people are not racist."

 #40 - Apple Products

#53 - Dogs: "It should be understood that in white culture, dogs are considered training for having kids."

#63 - Expensive Sandwiches

#67 - Standing Still At Concerts

#79 - Modern Furniture

#87 - Outdoor Performance Clothes: "When white people aren't working, they generally like to wear outdoor performance clothes. . . . One popular example is the performance vest which solves the age-old problem of cold chest/hot arms."

#132 - Not Having Cash:

#140 - Glasses: "White people need to find glasses that are rare and unique, but at the same time are made of thick plastic frames in either black or brown.  These strong frames force people to recognize that the white person is wearing glasses and to acknowledge their intelligence.

And of course the one item not mentioned in this book, which trumps everything else - what white people like more than anything else is making fun of white people.  There's nothing more humorous or satisfying.  And that's what makes this book a nice Saturday afternoon read if you're ready for a good laugh.

Comments

[Chris]

That is phenomenal. I must get a copy.