Book Description
Culture Smart! provides essential information on attitudes, beliefs and behavior in different countries, ensuring that you arrive at your destination aware of basic manners, common courtesies, and sensitive issues. These concise guides tell you what to expect, how to behave, and how to establish a rapport with your hosts. This inside knowledge will enable you to steer clear of embarrassing gaffes and mistakes, feel confident in unfamiliar situations, and develop trust, friendships, and successful business relationships.
Culture Smart! offers illuminating insights into the culture and society of a particular country. It will help you to turn your visit-whether on business or for pleasure-into a memorable and enriching experience. Contents include
* customs, values, and traditions
* historical, religious, and political background
* life at home
* leisure, social, and cultural life
* eating and drinking
* do's, don'ts, and taboos
* business practices
* communication, spoken and unspoken
"Culture Smart has come to the rescue of hapless travellers." Sunday Times Travel
"... the perfect introduction to the weird, wonderful and downright odd quirks and customs of various countries." Global Travel
"...full of fascinating-as well as common-sense-tips to help you avoid embarrassing faux pas." Observer
"...as useful as they are entertaining." Easyjet Magazine
"...offer glimpses into the psyche of a faraway world." New York Times
Customer Reviews:
Some additional information.......2007-08-17
I agree with the other reviewers, but I wanted to let readers know that much of this book is repeated, verbatim, in __Customs & Etiquette Of India (Simple Guides Customs & Etiquette)__ by Venika Kingsland. (Not sure who plagiarized whom...) Culturesmart India is worth the extra few dollars.
A quick review of Indian customs.......2007-05-15
I find this book very informative and a quick reference for Indian customs. Although, you cannot touch on every aspect of a culture in a small handbook, the author has taken great pains to explain ways and means. The only caveat to avoid faux paus is to actually memorize the customs before you visit.
Excellent Little Guide.......2007-04-07
I bought this guide because I think it is important to know something about a country's customs and etiquette practices before traveling there so one can be respectful of the country and its people. This book summarizes the customs and etiquette practices in an easy to use format and is also small enough to fit in your suitcase or to carry with you on your person.
Haven't gone to India yet But............2005-08-02
I bought this book with the anticipation of eventually going to India but more so to better understand my Indian in laws. I always felt like there was something I was missing when my husband and I would visit his family. This book explained a few etiquette questions that I had. It's a good starter book but there is always room for improvement.
Culture Smart, India.......2003-06-18
This is the kind of book every first-time traveler to India needs! It is short and to-the-point, and gives a very concise guide to customs and etiquette that is required learning for Westerners. Other version of the Culture Smart series are available, so if you're traveling outside the U.S., be sure to get one of these incredibly handy guides. These books are small enough to take with you to for a quick refresher course, too!
Book Description
You'll never feel intimidated and awkward about the customs and etiquette of another country again. With the insights provided in this CULTURE SHOCK! Guide, you'll learn to see beyond the stereotypes and misinformation that often precede a visit to a foreign land. Whether you plan to stay for a week or for a year, you'll benefit from such topics as understanding the rules of driving and monetary systems, religious practices and making friends. There are tips on political traditions, building business relationships, and the particular intricacies of setting up a home or office. Great for the business traveler, the foreign exchange student, or the tourist who makes a sincere attempt to cross the bridge into a new and exciting culture.
Customer Reviews:
Great culture book.......2005-09-03
If your interest in Indonesia and its culture goes beyond what can be read in the tourist brochures, then this book is definitely for you. In a very entertaining way, it explains about the culture, habits and beliefs of the Indonesian people, and it includes a funny Cultural Quiz at the end. Highly recommended.
Easy-to-read guide for traveler or expat.......2000-06-12
Indonesian culture? A bit like saying Western culture... a rather broad term. But this book acknowledges that right away and does an admirable job of isolating the most important manners for visitors to know and use.
The book's practical tips are especially useful, and these are organized with finger-tip simplicity (Do's and Don't's appendix is great), making this book easy to consult at a moment's notice. Business section and home help section ("Translating Needs into Action") are especially helpful.
There are also meaty and interesting sections about Indonesian values, social structure, and food. It's a good read, will serve well the traveler or expat.
Cultural quiz at the end, a test so silly no one could fail it, is the only negative to this guide.
Great book for expatriates.......2000-04-04
This was one of the first books I purchased when I discovered we were going to be posted to Jakarta, Indonesia. Now almost 3 years later, I find that I still enjoy reading this book and have found its examples of every day life to be accurate. The book is very informative and many of its stories are humerous which enables an easy read. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is planning a move to Indonesia and even to those who are just planning a trip.
Both humorous and informative.......1999-12-12
Indeed a very helpful and informative book for understanding Indonesian people and culture. Haveing spent almost two years living and working in Indonesia I found myself referring to this book often. I found myself explaining to my fellow expatriates why certain things happened the way they do in this country often referring to things I read. From conducting business to accomplishing everyday tasks, this book offers excellent example and explantions. Definately a book for expatraites living in Indonesia, business travellers, but also beneficial to the traveller wanting to ascertain a deeper, more sincere understanding of Indonesian people and culture.
Book Description
You'll never feel intimidated and awkward about the customs and etiquette of another country again. With the insights provided in this CULTURE SHOCK! Guide, you'll learn to see beyond the stereotypes and misinformation that often precede a visit to a foreign land. Whether you plan to stay for a week or for a year, you'll benefit from such topics as understanding the rules of driving and monetary systems, religious practices and making friends. There are tips on political traditions, building business relationships, and the particular intricacies of setting up a home or office. Great for the business traveler, the foreign exchange student, or the tourist who makes a sincere attempt to cross the bridge into a new and exciting culture.
Customer Reviews:
Accurate Informative Book.......2007-06-15
As a Westerner having already visited to India for some time (and who would like to go again), I found this book to be extremely accurate in its detailed descriptions of the many cultures and customs of this facinating country. I also learned some more things here that I didn't know the first time around, and found it very helpful and entertaining as well.
Although anyone would be very hard pressed to cover the immense complexities of this country, I think the author did a very good job, and should be a must read for anyone going for the first time, along with a "quicky" travel guide book of specific places to go and see.
The only problem I had with the book were in certain parts where she put down some of the religious beliefs and their followers, disregarding the validity and meaning they may hold for those that follow them, with little jabs at the end of each paragraph. It seemed obnoxious, judgmental and opinionated, as if she assumed her view was the only one worth considering. A real turn-off. A little more broadmindedness would have been more enriching.
Other than that, I thought the book was quite good, detailed and well written. Highly recommended.
Highly Informative!.......2002-06-08
Although this is the first book I've read on Indian culture, I think it would be difficult to find another book written with such detail about so many aspects of Indian culture as Kolanad's does. Her insight into how Westerners think is invaluable as she herself grew up in a Western society for part of her life. Being Indian, she gives authority to what she writes. I truly enjoyed reading this book and would highly recommend it to anyone interested in Indian customs and etiquette.
India for Dummies.......2001-09-24
This book brought me interesting thoughts about India; both nostalgic and humorous. The book is written with a view to satisfy a female traveller, but it does not make much generalizations in this aspect. Even though a person living in India might feel this book paints a distorted view, anyone who has seen the world outside India will find this book more entertaining and useful.
This is not considered as a tour guide for a person who is just passing through the airports. If you ever thought India is just like what you see in Jackson heights (N.Y.) or Devon St (Chicago) or as in the movie "City of Joy", you are mistaken . Nowhere in the world you could see people living with contrasting environments and outlook of life, sharing a wall between 19th and 20th (21st?) century at the same moment.
Gitanjali Kolanad introduces some assumptions as to why the Indian life is so contradictory in many aspects. The author provides a brief, but well narrated history of this south Asian region and tries to analyze the origin of the social heirarchy,the division of labour and the attitudes of Indians to these.
This book is an honest oversimplification of the problems a foreigner will face and the author gives some valuable advice and certain quick fixes. I would say you need an open mind and this book before you start your passage to India.
Great for those planning more than a short tour.......2001-05-31
I'll be brief, so as not to echo others' comments. Preparing for a six month stint in India for business, I was unsatisfied after reading other "guide" books. Looking for something more than a history lesson and hot spot list, I reached for Culture Shock!. This book details subtle nuances that exist between US and Indian cultures. Great read and highly recommended!
Decent Background Information - But Too Topical.......2000-12-15
I read this book approximately a month before going to India on business. Although this added to my already growing excitement, I found that this book was really geared more toward one who was either going to be casually traveling or living there on a permanent basis.
I found that I was not at all prepared for what India had to offer - now, that wasn't because I hadn't done enough research, rather because of the random and chaotic nature of where I was located.
Pros: The first few chapters go into topics such as political history, represented religions, holidays, festivals, and other good things to know. The author then takes us through setting up a household, to having servants, how dinner parties are organized and executed, and other feasibly useful information.
Cons: Although this is written by an Indian person, the information within is simply given without explanation. I didn't learn why some of the comments made in the book were true until I had been there for a while, and I didn't realize how classist some of the situations presented were until I had experienced the situation myself.
If you are looking to learn of practical things to do, ways to get around, and what to probably really expect once you step off of the plane on your first visit, I would suggest a travel book such as Lonely Planet, or Fodors.
This book is worth reading, but don't expect this to be your only guide.
Customer Reviews:
Printed in 1997 -- and it shows........2001-01-08
A word of caution: This book is not terribly useful for business travel in India. I spent 2 months in Delhi and didn't bother to check the publication date of this book. It is dated, to put it lightly.
There are a few useful tips in this little book (mostly about business/social interaction). However, I found that the main cultural differences in business were clear after the first week of being there--no book could have prepared me. India is an incredibly vast and varied country; no one general guide can smooth the transition.
If you're going to India to travel, the lonely planet or eyewitness guides will do you some good (really good if you're planning to visit out-of-the-way places). If you're going to India on business, then I'd suggest simply chatting with your Indian co-workers before or upon your arrival. Most likely they'll give you a better idea of what to expect; also, their advice will be tailored to your type of business and, more specifically, to the people with whom you'll be working.
As with all people and places--we're unique. Allow your Indian experience to be unique too.
Not too helpful!.......2000-03-02
Since India has a distinct culture from the US, I expected to receive some useful guidance from this book. It is very elementry - just remember to be polite and you will do better than you would by following this book's suggestions. Not worth the money or the weight in my luggage.
Average customer rating:
- Slim volume provides a good overview...
|
Customs & Etiquette Of India (Simple Guides Customs & Etiquette)
Venika Kingsland
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India - Culture Smart!: a quick guide to customs and etiquette (Culture Smart!)
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Lonely Planet India
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Doing Business in India
ASIN: 1857333918 |
Customer Reviews:
Slim volume provides a good overview..........2007-07-20
... but does not contain enough detail to be truly useful to someone getting ready to travel to India. About half the book is taken up with geography and history information that is readily available in other sources. Cultural awareness tips are scattered throughout, but I wouldn't feel comfortable heading to the subcontinent armed only with the hints contained here. This book is probably best suited for armchair travelers.
Average customer rating:
|
Simple Guide to India: Customs & Etiquette (Simple Guides Customs and Etiquette)
Venika Kingsland
Manufacturer: Global Books Ltd. (UK)
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ASIN: 1860340466 |
Customer Reviews:
Small and quick.......2002-05-21
It is a quick, inexpensive review of do's and don'ts in a size that is easy to pack.
Book Description
You'll never feel intimidated and awkward about the customs and etiquette of another country again. With the insights provided in this CULTURE SHOCK! Guide, you'll learn to see beyond the stereotypes and misinformation that often precede a visit to a foreign land. Whether you plan to stay for a week or for a year, you'll benefit from such topics as understanding the rules of driving and monetary systems, religious practices and making friends. There are tips on political traditions, building business relationships, and the particular intricacies of setting up a home or office. Great for the business traveler, the foreign exchange student, or the tourist who makes a sincere attempt to cross the bridge into a new and exciting culture.
Customer Reviews:
rather unbalanced.......2002-07-26
althought this book is relativly well written and candid it seems as though the author does to full understand the culture and often misrepresents it. the pictures (although black and white) are quite nice and the descriptions of the elite in the major cities such as karachi and lahore are close to true but not always agreeable. I visited pakistan for my friends wedding a few months ago and this book contradicts most of what i learned about their culture and ceremonies. what i found most misrepresented was the issue of sexism in pakistan. the author mentions how women have less authority than men but conveniently forgets to mention the respect and facilities they are awarded as mothers,sisters, and wives. all in all i felt this book isnt the best way to go if you really want to understand the country and the people of pakistan, this book isnt the best way to go.
By No Means Uninteresting.......2001-08-07
Having never been to Pakistan myself, I am perhaps not a fair judge of how accurate this book actually is. However, I am familiar with the Pakistani culture and I can comment on the style in which this book was written.
The book is very informative and detailed. Every aspect of life imaginable: villages, cities, business, weddings, hosting parties, buying houses, what is/isn't safe to eat--it even gives a break-down of which foreigners will be liked and/or disliked by Pakistanis. She does a very good job, ostensibly, of giving a description adequate for more than just a two week vacation in an exotic country. This book is also, considering that it is a nonfiction travel guide, quite interesting and able to keep your attention--with appealing photography (although in black-and-white) and hilarious sketches by Zafar Ihsan, it will not fail to keep your attention.
As negatives for the book, they unfortunately come across rather distinctly. Ms. Mittmann comes from a failed marriage to a Pakistani, so perhaps this explains her viewpoint. The book is very dour and rather pessimistic. Although Mittmann claims to love Pakistan and cherish it as a country, you can hardly believe that given her criticism of it. While it is true that Pakistan's Islamic culture does strike Westerners as rather sexist, she lacks the compassion to explain that some of this restriction stems from an ancient desire to protect women and keep them out of harm's way. There is also a quality in this book which is bereft of light-hearted excitement. Perhaps this is because the thrill of living abroad wears off in expatriates all-too-soon.
This is a fair book. I would consider it worth reading for somebody already familiar with Pakistani culture, but would warn away any newcomers. Its style is mildly patronizing and there is a stoic, almost-depressing air about it, which would frighten anyone curious about Islamic cultures away.
Not for Professional Women............2001-05-22
I work in foreign assistance and am very much looking forward to moving to Pakistan for my next job. I bought this book, as I have bought others in the "culture shock" series when I have worked/traveled in other developing countries for extended periods.
Unfortunately, this book seems to be written for men. At first I thought it was just poor editing and choice of words (i.e. using masculine he/his/him pronouns without it being clear if the advice was meant to apply to men or to men AND women) then it became obvious that I was just being left out. The sectiions about women are preoccupied with clothes and shopping, and in a few sections -- most notably the one on the workplace -- it actually starts refers to a few things for "your wife" (i.e, playing hostess) to do to "help". As a single woman professional, I'm pretty disgusted that this section made NO reference to issues or etiquette that I must consider if I am to succeed at my next job.
And, just to add appalling icing on the cake....... the "sex" section consists solely of how I can find a prosititute despite the banning of brothels and how not to get conned by their pimps.
ARGH!!!!!!!
Not for Professional Women............2001-05-22
I work in foreign assistance and am very much looking forward to moving to Pakistan for my next job. I bought this book, as I have bought others in the "culture shock" series when I have worked/traveled in other developing countries for extended periods.
Unfortunately, this book seems to be written for men. At first I thought it was just poor editing and choice of words (i.e. using masculine he/his/him pronouns without it being clear if the advice was meant to apply to men or to men AND women) then it became obvious that I was just being left out. The sectiions about women are preoccupied with clothes and shopping, and in a few sections -- most notably the one on the workplace -- it actually starts refers to a few things for "your wife" (i.e, playing hostess) to do to "help". As a single woman professional, I'm pretty disgusted that this section made NO reference to issues or etiquette that I must consider if I am to succeed at my next job.
And, just to add appalling icing on the cake....... the "sex" section consists solely of how I can find a prosititute despite the banning of brothels and how not to get conned by their pimps.
ARGH!
I definately recommend this book.......1998-06-15
I think most people are smart enough to take things in context. Not everywhere and every situation will match cultural norms, but this book is the best place to start on Pakistan. I look forward to reading others in this series as I travel elsewhere. I read the travel books on Pakistan but this one gave the most preparation to the culture and what to expect while most books tell you places or events of interest.
A definite must when heading that direction!!!
Average customer rating:
- The simple guide to customs and etiquette in India
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The Simple Guide to Customs and Etiquette in India (Simple Guide. Customs and Etiquette)
Venika Kingsland
Manufacturer: Paul Norbury
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Customer Reviews:
The simple guide to customs and etiquette in India.......2000-06-30
Book is very misleading about lot of customs. Information is outdated. Some of the customs mentioned may be true once upon a time. India has changed a lot over the past few years. Author seem to be out of touch with present day India! There is too much generalization of facts. Exceptional cases are portrayed as true at all times.Sometimes truth is stretched too much to sound sensational :-( 30% of the content in the book may be helpful for visitors to know about Indian customs and etiquette. In general lot of information is misleading since they do not apply to present day India!
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