Culture Smart!
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audiobook
(0)
Bulgaria - Culture Smart!
The Essential Guide To Customs & Culture
by Juliana Tzvetkova
read by Melanie Crawley
Part of the Culture Smart! series
Don't just see the sights―get to know the people.
Bulgaria, situated in southeastern Europe on the Black Sea, is one of Europe's best-hidden secrets. A haven for nature and history buffs, this youngest member of the European Union has been riding a rollercoaster of radical transformation since emerging from the Eastern Bloc three decades ago, changing dramatically in many ways and yet preserving its own particular charm and slow-paced way of life.
Invasions and waves of migration, dating back to neolithic and classical times, have contributed to a unique cultural mosaic. The seventh-century Bulgarian empire dominated the Balkans and was a powerhouse of Slavonic culture. Later, Ottoman conquest and Soviet influence left their mark on the national psyche.
Culture Smart! Bulgaria provides a key to understanding the Bulgarian people. It outlines their long and complex history, shows you what everyday life is like there today, and offers advice on what to expect and how to navigate unfamiliar cultural terrain. This is a small country of proud and persevering people. Familiarize yourself with their traditions and way of life, and the warmth and hospitality you are shown in return will conquer your heart and bring you back time and again.
Have a more meaningful and successful time abroad through a better understanding of the local culture. Chapters on values, attitudes, customs, and daily life will help you make the most of your visit, while tips on etiquette and communication will help you navigate unfamiliar situations and avoid faux pas.
audiobook
(3)
Nepal: The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture
by Tessa Feller
read by Charles Armstrong
Part of the Culture Smart! series
Nestled in the foothills of the Himalayas, Nepal is a land of contrasts and incongruities-not in the least in the variety of its cultural, ethnic, and religious weave. The Nepalese attitude toward life is essentially religious. Hindu and Buddhist values predominate and help to maintain social harmony despite the divisions between rich and poor, urban and rural, highlands and lowlands. Culture Smart! Nepal sets out to explain the complexities of Nepalese life, from home to business to the marketplace. It tells you what to expect and provides insights that will help you to go beyond friendly smiles and turn your visit into an enlightening and rewarding experience.
audiobook
(1)
Canada - Culture Smart!
The Essential Guide To Customs & Culture
by Juliana Tzvetkova
read by Melanie Crawley
Part of the Culture Smart! series
Don't just see the sights―get to know the people.
Unsuspecting outsiders often assume that Canadians are just like their American neighbors, if perhaps a little more modest. However, there is much more to it than that. Canadian society is a complex mosaic of distinct cultural identities that vary from province to province, and with high levels of immigration, it is one of the most multicultural societies in the world. The country's unique development through devolution, rather than revolution, affects the way Canadians view the world and their place in it, and numerous events of the last decade have challenged their self–image and tested its substance.
Canada - Culture Smart! takes you to the heart of this diverse nation. It unpacks the key chapters in their history, describes the values that Canadians hold dear, and the attitudes that you are likely to encounter. It introduces you to the people and describes their way of life, at home, work, and play.
Have a more meaningful and successful time abroad through a better understanding of the local culture. Chapters on values, attitudes, customs, and daily life will help you make the most of your visit, while tips on etiquette and communication will help you navigate unfamiliar situations and avoid faux pas.
audiobook
(1)
New Zealand
The Essential Guide To Customs & Culture
by Lyn McNamee
read by Melanie Crawley
Part of the Culture Smart! series
Don't just see the sights-get to know the people.
New Zealand, or Aotearoa (the "Land of the Long, White Cloud") as it is known by the Maori population, is a land of myth and reality, contrast and contradiction, rolling hills and glacial mountains, native bush and gentle farmland. Its people are friendly and welcoming and will often go the extra mile to help you without expecting anything in return.
Maori heritage and culture are an integral part of Aotearoa today, and wherever you go, its influence is palpable. As a nation of immigrants, New Zealanders are used to newcomers, yet those who take the time to learn about the country's traditions and the values that people hold dear will be rewarded with a more meaningful and enriching experience of this beautiful land.
Culture smart! New Zealand helps you get to the heart of this diverse and multicultural nation. It examines the impact of history, religion, and politics, while tips and vital insights into Kiwi attitudes, customs, and social life will help deepen your experience of this country and its fair–minded people.
Have a richer and more meaningful experience abroad through a better understanding of the local culture. Chapters on history, values, attitudes, and traditions will help you to better understand your hosts, while tips on etiquette and communicating will help you to navigate unfamiliar situations and avoid faux pas.
audiobook
(1)
Ghana - Culture Smart!
The Essential Guide To Customs & Culture
by Ian Utley
read by Christopher P. Brown
Part of the Culture Smart! series
Don't just see the sights-get to know the people.
Ghana is among the friendliest and safest countries in Africa. Visitors are warmly welcomed but are expected to be sympathetic to local customs and beliefs, and to follow certain codes of conduct.
Ghana - Culture Smart! describes the complexities and nuances of Ghanaian society with clarity and humor, and offers the reader an opportunity to get to know Ghanaians on their own terms, and to enjoy all that this beautiful country has to offer.
Have a richer and more meaningful experience abroad through a better understanding of the local culture. Chapters on history, values, attitudes, and traditions will help you to better understand your hosts, while tips on etiquette and communicating will help you to navigate unfamiliar situations and avoid faux pas.
audiobook
(1)
Ethiopia - Culture Smart!
The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture
by Sarah Howard
read by Melanie Crawley
Part of the Culture Smart! series
Don't just see the sights-get to know the people.
Set in Africa, but not wholly African; an isolated nation, yet receptive to the outside world; hierarchical and conservative, yet innovative and desirous of modernity; conformist as a people, and fiercely independent as individuals? The Ethiopian identity defies definition. Ethiopia exists simultaneously in different time periods. Its people, when they see something new that might work to their advantage, will embrace it and find ways to improve on it. Modern democracy, however, has understandably been slower to bloom given the strong historical antecedents of its monarchy.
Culture Smart! Ethiopia unpacks the values, attitudes, and traditions of this culturally rich nation. Etiquette in daily life, socializing, and communicating are all helpfully described, and advice is given to on how make the most of a visit. Above all, it provides the tools to do so in a considerate and sensitive manner.
Have a richer and more meaningful experience abroad through a better understanding of the local culture. Chapters on history, values, attitudes, and traditions will help you to better understand your hosts, while tips on etiquette and communicating will help you to navigate unfamiliar situations and avoid faux pas.
audiobook
(0)
Botswana - Culture Smart!
The Essential Guide To Customs & Culture
by Mike Main
read by Christopher P. Brown
Part of the Culture Smart! series
Don't just see the sights-get to know the people.
Botswana is a country of contrasts. Culturally, the people are overwhelmingly Bantu, but with more than twenty different ethnic groups and over thirty languages spoken, the society is by no means homogeneous.
Culture Smart! Botswana introduces you to the lives of the people. It looks at the history that has shaped the society and shows the importance of traditional customs and values for both travelers and businesspeople alike. It describes how the Batswana live, work, and play, and how to avoid the pitfalls of cultural misunderstanding.
Have a richer and more meaningful experience abroad through a better understanding of the local culture. Chapters on history, values, attitudes, and traditions will help you to better understand your hosts, while tips on etiquette and communicating will help you to navigate unfamiliar situations and avoid faux pas.
audiobook
(5)
Kenya: The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture
by Jane Barsby
read by Peter Noble
Part of the Culture Smart! series
Culture Smart! Kenya provides essential information, 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! Kenya 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.
audiobook
(7)
Chile: The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture
by Caterina Perrone
read by Anna Bentinck
Part of the Culture Smart! series
Chile provides essential information on attitudes, beliefs and behavior in Chile, ensuring that you arrive at your destination aware of basic manners, common courtesies, and sensitive issues. This concise guide will 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! provides rare insights, and practical guidance, into cultures. The values, behavior and customs of peoples have been formed over centuries which is why the unique information in Culture Smart! guides do not date in the same way as ordinary travel guides.
audiobook
(17)
Netherlands: The Essential Guide To Customs & Culture
The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture
by Sheryl Buckland
read by Charles Armstrong
Part of the Culture Smart! series
Taking listeners beyond the stereotypical images of windmills, clogs, and tulips, this pocket-sized guide helps visitors understand the complex layers of identity in this small, densely populated country on Europe's northwestern seaboard. With roots as a maritime nation that built a network for transportation, defense, and trade, the Netherlands of today is still a prime economic hub of Europe. The Netherlands is also famous for its liberal attitudes, recently challenged by high levels of immigration, and is home to an intelligent, cosmopolitan, enterprising, tolerant, and modest people. The visitor or business traveler will find that the predominant attitude continues to be one of live and let live and that many different communities live alongside each other in harmony.
audiobook
(3)
China: The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture
by Kathy Flower
read by Peter Noble
Part of the Culture Smart! series
The spectacular Beijing Olympics of 2008 signaled China's arrival as a superpower on the world stage. The global economic crisis that followed in 2008–2009 saw it become banker to the West, poised to eclipse the United States. This new edition of Kathy Flower's bestselling Culture Smart! China has been revised and updated by the author to take on board the transformation in China's fortunes and the changing face of Chinese society. This edition of Culture Smart! China is the indispensable visitors' guide to the complexities of a rapidly changing world power whose ancient culture and traditions owe little to the West.
audiobook
(1)
Czech Republic - Culture Smart!
The Essential Guide To Customs & Culture
by Kevan Vogler
read by Christopher P. Brown
Part of the Culture Smart! series
Don't just see the sights-get to know the people.
Many tourists visit the Czech Republic knowing no more about it than that the beer is cheap and the women beautiful. That lack of knowledge has led to frustration among Czechs, most of whom are very well-informed about the world around them.
Culture Smart! Czech Republic informs you about the traditions, values, and attitudes of a remarkable people. It describes Czech life at home and in the workplace and offers practical advice on what to expect and how to navigate different social situations. The real rewards will come to the visitor who goes beyond the reserve to explore the complex corners of the Czech soul.
Have a richer and more meaningful experience abroad through a better understanding of the local culture. Chapters on history, values, attitudes, and traditions will help you to better understand your hosts, while tips on etiquette and communicating will help you to navigate unfamiliar situations and avoid faux pas.
audiobook
(13)
Korea: The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture
by James Hoare
read by Charles Armstrong
Part of the Culture Smart! series
Apart from the headline-making politics, not much is known in the West about the Korean people and their ancient culture. Yet those who visit Korea, whether North or South, find a land of great interest. The Koreans, when not constrained by politics or other considerations, are friendly and sociable, and the peninsula has areas of outstanding natural beauty. The South's cities, if not always beautiful, are vibrant and alive. The North, while very different, is complex and fascinating. The standoff between the two countries of the Korean Peninsula is a legacy of the Cold War and a potential flashpoint for future conflict. Despite a brief thaw in relations a few years ago, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) in the north, a secretive single-party socialist state with a centralized industrial economy, conducted nuclear tests in 2006 and 2009. The Republic of Korea (ROK) in the south meanwhile, a free-market democracy, has become a rising economic power and, in 2010, became the first former aid recipient to join the OECD Development Assistance Committee. This new, updated edition of Culture Smart! Korea looks at the changing social and economic situation and provides real insights into thinking and behavior in both countries. It indicates the pitfalls to avoid and introduces listeners to some of the many delights of the Korean peninsula.
audiobook
(1)
Ireland - Culture Smart!
The Essential Guide To Customs & Culture
by Alexandra Furbee
read by Melanie Crawley
Part of the Culture Smart! series
Most guidebooks on Ireland will tell you where to stay and what to see. Ireland - Culture Smart! is written for people who want to know more and go deeper. Here you will find the beliefs and attitudes of the Irish, their rich musical and literary culture, their ancient language and mythology, the values they live by, how they do business, how they enjoy themselves, and the ways they have been molded by their tumultuous history and indeed their geography. This understanding will be appreciated by your hosts; it will open doors to you, even open the hearts of a generous, talented people, justifiably proud of their unique identity.
audiobook
(0)
Turkey - Culture Smart!
The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture
by Charlotte McPherson
read by Melanie Crawley
Part of the Culture Smart! series
Don't just see the sights- get to know the people.
At first glance, Turkey may seem Westernized and entirely "modern"- but appearances can be misleading. It is above all a land of contrasts, a heady mixture of Oriental etiquette and ultramodern city life, deep–rooted religious faith and determined secularism, a fierce sense of national pride, and openness to foreign ideas. The Turkish people are very much their own center of gravity, and for the unwary visitor there are pitfalls to avoid as well as great riches to be found.
Turkey - Culture Smart! is an invaluable guide to the intricate ins and outs of this culturally rich and complex society. This updated edition outlines the complex history of Anatolia, provides key insights into contemporary Turkish values and attitudes, describes important customs and traditions, and reveals what life is like for the Turks at home, at work, and at play. It also offers practical tips and information about what to expect and how to navigate different social situations.
In this unique mix of Islamic and European cultures, the Turks are extremely hospitable. If you show an interest in their culture and respect for their point of view, they will repay your effort many times over.
Have a richer and more meaningful experience abroad through a better understanding of the local culture. Chapters on history, values, attitudes, and traditions will help you to better understand your hosts, while tips on etiquette and communicating will help you to navigate unfamiliar situations and avoid faux pas.
audiobook
(15)
Germany: The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture
by Barry Tomalin
read by Charles Armstrong
Part of the Culture Smart! series
Germany-the powerhouse of Europe and pillar of the Eurozone-feels reassuringly familiar. However, despite superficial appearances, this is a country that operates very differently from the USA and Britain. German history is more than a thousand years old and the relatively new German nation-state encompasses an astonishing variety of cultural and regional differences. German society is also in a state of flux, as people respond to immigration and a tough economic climate, and traditional attitudes such as formality and rigid protocol are softening as German business globalizes. Culture Smart! Germany sets out to show you how to be a good and sensitive guest. With chapters on core values and attitudes and a practical business briefing, it is a valuable introduction to the German way of life. It tells you what treatment to expect, what pitfalls to avoid, and how to build rapport and credibility with these culturally rich and inventive people at the heart of Europe.
audiobook
(8)
India: The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture
by Becky Stephen
read by Peter Noble
Part of the Culture Smart! series
India is in transition. Since the publication of Culture Smart's first guide to India in 2003, it has been transformed from a developing, third-world country into the world's fastest growing economy. This completely new and up-to-date volume by American author Becky Stephen is unrivalled. It highlights the many subtle and not so subtle changes that are taking place in Indian society, describes and explains those areas of life where traditional attitudes and practices continue to prevail, and offers original insights, practical tips, and vital human information to guide you through the pitfalls and delights of this complex, vibrant, and increasingly important country.
audiobook
(13)
Japan: The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture
by Paul Norbury
read by Peter Noble
Part of the Culture Smart! series
Japan is at a crossroads. The postwar economic miracle that brought it unprecedented development and prosperity is over. Since the publication of the first Culture Smart! guide, it has been overtaken by China as the world's second-largest economy. The balance of power in Asia has shifted and new players are entering the field. No one can predict how Japan will rise to the challenge, or what effect the changes will have on how people live, think, and behave. Paul Norbury's revised and updated edition of Culture Smart! Japan will guide you through a shifting cultural maze, and help you make your visit to this important, dynamic, and creative society a rich and mutually rewarding experience.
audiobook
(0)
Poland - Culture Smart!
The Essential Guide To Customs & Culture
by Gregory Allen
read by Christopher P. Brown
Part of the Culture Smart! series
Don't just see the sights―get to know the people.
Culture Smart! guides provide travelers with vital information about the values and attitudes of the people they will meet, and practical advice on how to make the most of their time abroad. Travelers to Poland in particular, a country in transition from its Communist past, need to be open-minded and well-informed.
Today's Poland is very much a mix of the old and the new, and the two are not always in harmony. Background knowledge of the land, people, and history is crucial to understanding who the Poles are today: the Polish sense of identity has been forged by history, and the reader is introduced to the main events of Poland's turbulent past. A chapter on values and attitudes provides essential insights into this relationship-based society, and will help visitors understand why things are done the way they are. Further chapters describe important festivals and rites of passage, as well as how Poles go about their daily social and work lives. Valuable advice is also offered on how to get along with them.
The Polish people are warm and generous and place great value on personal relationships. Show an interest in their history and an awareness of their culture, and your welcome will be warmer still.
Have a more meaningful and successful time abroad through a better understanding of the local culture. Chapters on values, attitudes, customs, and daily life will help you make the most of your visit, while tips on etiquette and communication will help you navigate unfamiliar situations and avoid faux pas.
audiobook
(4)
Vietnam: The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture
by Geoffrey Murray
read by Peter Noble
Part of the Culture Smart! series
Culture Smart! Vietnam outlines the history, culture, and traditions of the Vietnamese. It explains certain deep-seated attitudes, describes some of the social and cultural changes now under way, and gives practical advice on what to expect and how to behave in unfamiliar situations. It aims to help listeners discover for themselves the warmth and vast potential of this fascinating country and its delightful people. They are open and friendly, with a sense of humor and irony, and frankly curious about the outside world. Kind and generally helpful toward strangers, they are industrious, shrewd, and determined to improve their lot. Amidst war and strife throughout their countries history, the true Vietnamese characteristics of patience and adversity shine through in this in depth-look at their culture.
audiobook
(0)
Brazil - Culture Smart!
The Essential Guide To Customs & Culture
by Sandra Branco
read by Melanie Crawley
Part of the Culture Smart! series
Don't just see the sights―get to know the people.
For many people, Brazil conjures up images of football, Carnaval, and fine coffee, but it's much more than beaches and bossa nova. If we had to choose one word to describe the country, it would probably be diversity. The variety of lifestyles, ethnic groups, landscapes, and climates Brazil encompasses is quite simply enormous. This guide provides you with a comprehensive introduction to everything you need to know.
Jeitinho is how Brazilians deal creatively with life's everyday complications. Literally translated as a "little way," in practice it means that where there is a will there is also usually a way, regardless of the rules and regulations that may be in place. The jeitinho is so ingrained in daily life that you can see examples everywhere; managing to get a seat when all the places are booked up, traveling with more luggage than is allowed, or successfully ordering something that isn't even on the menu.
Culture Smart! Brazil is your guide to understanding the Brazilian people, their values, and the complexities of their national identity. Familiarize yourself with their traditions, culture, and way of life and your experience in this beautiful and life-affirming country will be greatly enriched.
Have a more meaningful and successful time abroad through a better understanding of the local culture. Chapters on values, attitudes, customs, and daily life will help you make the most of your visit, while tips on etiquette and communication will help you navigate unfamiliar situations and avoid faux pas.
audiobook
(1)
Guatemala - Culture Smart!
The Essential Guide To Customs & Culture
by Russell Maddicks
read by Christopher P. Brown
Part of the Culture Smart! series
Don't just see the sights-get to know the people.
The largest and most populous Central American country, Guatemala is a land of contrasts and contradictions. It offers great physical beauty alongside ancient Mayan ruins and a conglomeration of diverse peoples and cultures. It is also unique in Central America in that more than half its population is of Mayan Indian origin. Today the country reflects a combination of ancient Mayan heritage, Spanish colonialism, and modern Western influences, mainly from the United States.
Culture Smart! Guatemala introduces you to the complexities of Guatemalan society and shows how history has shaped the values and attitudes you will encounter. It describes different aspects of Guatemalan life, from festivals and cuisine to socializing and doing business. This new and updated edition provides key insights into the minds and hearts of Guatemalans today and offers practical advice on how to make the most of your time while being a savvy and considerate guest.
Have a richer and more meaningful experience abroad through a better understanding of the local culture. Chapters on history, values, attitudes, and traditions will help you to better understand your hosts, while tips on etiquette and communicating will help you to navigate unfamiliar situations and avoid faux pas.
audiobook
(1)
Oman - Culture Smart!
The Essential Guide To Customs & Culture
by Nicole Brewer
read by Melanie Crawley
Part of the Culture Smart! series
Don't just see the sights―get to know the people.
The Sultanate of Oman, long regarded as one of the more mysterious countries of the Arabian Peninsula, is finally getting more of the attention it so deserves. An ancient land with a rich history and dramatic landscapes, Oman was largely cut off from the modern world until the accession to the throne of Sultan Qaboos in 1970. Since then this peaceful country has developed slowly but deliberately, placing a strong emphasis on retaining its cultural heritage while moving into the hi-tech era.
Culture Smart! Oman opens the door to this fascinating and complex country, where traditional values coexist cheerfully with all the trappings of modern life. Here, the gentle pace of life contrasts with life in the West and those that take the time to get to know the people of this land, their values, and their way of life, will find that they are greatly enriched.
Have a more meaningful and successful time abroad through a better understanding of the local culture. Chapters on values, attitudes, customs, and daily life will help you make the most of your visit, while tips on etiquette and communication will help you navigate unfamiliar situations and avoid faux pas.
audiobook
(6)
Portugal - Culture Smart!
The Essential Guide To Customs & Culture
by Sandy Pinto Basto
read by Melanie Crawley
Part of the Culture Smart! series
Don't just see the sights―get to know the people.
Legend has it that when Caesar's general arrived on Portuguese soil in the first century CE, he claimed to have discovered a country blessed with a mild climate and a beautiful coastline, but whose inhabitants were ungoverned and ungovernable. Today, the Portuguese are still impulsive, set in their ways, and resistant to change, yet they are ever charming, romantic, and nostalgic, with an unshakable loyalty toward family and friends.
Culture Smart! Portugal takes you beneath the surface of this fascinating country and shows you how to blend in and make the most of your visit. In these pages, you will gain insight into Portuguese priorities and learn how to tap into a helpful and resourceful nature that is often overlooked by the casual visitor. Beneath a sometimes vociferous manner, the Portuguese are laid-back and gentle, so slacken your pace, put away your watch, and enjoy the rich meals, lively festivals, and ancient traditions of this great land.
Have a more meaningful and successful time abroad through a better understanding of the local culture. Chapters on values, attitudes, customs, and daily life will help you make the most of your visit, while tips on etiquette and communication will help you navigate unfamiliar situations and avoid faux pas.
audiobook
(2)
Thailand - Culture Smart!
The Essential Guide To Customs & Culture
by J. Rotheray
read by David de Vries
Part of the Culture Smart! series
Don't just see the sights-get to know the people.
Never conquered by foreigners, this proud and ancient land has been shaped by Buddhism, the monarchy, and the military. Today it is a manufacturing powerhouse and a tourist paradise that welcomes more than 30 million visitors a year. Yet despite the veneer of Western modernity, the country and its people remain an enigma for many visitors.
Culture Smart! Thailand describes how the Thai people view the world and themselves. It examines the impact of religious beliefs and history on their lives, as well as recent social and political developments. With a wealth of tips on communicating, on socializing, and on navigating the unfamiliar situations that you are likely to encounter, this guide will help you to get the very best out of your time in the Land of Smiles.
Have a richer and more meaningful experience abroad through a better understanding of the local culture. Chapters on history, values, attitudes, and traditions will help you to better understand your hosts, while tips on etiquette and communicating will help you to navigate unfamiliar situations and avoid faux pas.
audiobook
(30)
Australia: The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture
by Barry Penney
read by Peter Noble
Part of the Culture Smart! series
Australia is different: a vast island-continent with distances so great that the capital of Western Australia is closer to Singapore than it is to Sydney. The landscape embraces magnificent tropical rainforests and deserts the size of several European states; temperate areas that sustain a flourishing wine industry, making Australia the world's fourth largest wine exporter; a sixteen-thousand-mile coastline of breathtaking beaches; and its unique fauna is testament to the country's down-underness. Culture Smart! Australia introduces listeners to a young nation with one of the world's highest standards of living, where people work to live in order to enjoy a lifestyle that many across the globe covet, and in which Australians take great pride (and don't mind talking about).
audiobook
(0)
Nepal: The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture
by Tessa Feller
read by Anna Bentinck
Part of the Culture Smart! series
Culture Smart! Nepal provides essential information, 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! Nepal 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.
audiobook
(1)
Belgium - Culture Smart!
The Essential Guide To Customs & Culture
by Bernadett Varga
read by Melanie Crawley
Part of the Culture Smart! series
Don't just see the sights―get to know the people.
Belgium has somehow acquired the reputation of being Europe's most boring country―a reputation that is entirely undeserved. But perhaps this bland image is a smokescreen, the conventional exterior hiding a subversive sense of humor, a surreal imagination, and a deep-rooted disdain for authority. Or perhaps it is a camouflage, a way in which Belgium, still overrun―however peacefully―by foreigners, can keep a few of its secrets to itself.
Two main factors seem to determine the values Belgians hold and the ways they approach life: the effects of the linguistic divide, and the country's long history of exposure to other cultures through trade, war, and occupation―its experience of being simultaneously very small and very strategically placed.
Culture Smart! Belgium will help you navigate these swirling waters. It is for anyone who wants to understand Belgian society and encounter it with sensitivity and poise. We trace the land's turbulent history and look at how the past has shaped the collective and personal values of today's Belgians. We look at the Belgian people at work, at play, and at home, and offer tips to help you get along with the people you will meet, on both sides of the divide, and navigate the new situations that you are likely to encounter.
Have a richer and more meaningful experience abroad through a better understanding of the local culture. Chapters on history, values, attitudes, and traditions will help you to better understand your hosts, while tips on etiquette and communicating will help you to navigate unfamiliar situations and avoid faux pas.
audiobook
(1)
France - Culture Smart!
The Essential Guide To Customs & Culture
by Barry Tomalin
read by Nick Mondelli
Part of the Culture Smart! series
Don't just see the sights-get to know the people.
The French are different. You'll often hear this in conversations among the Anglo-Saxons, as the French like to call English speakers. Different means charming, challenging, questioning, stylish, and doing things in their own way and to their own advantage.
By looking at the attitudes and values of the French, and explaining how French life and business works, Culture Smart! France shows you how to fit in as a foreigner. It gives practical advice on how to avoid faux pas and how to behave in different contexts. It takes you through French history, festivals, and traditions, and describes the French at home and at work. Above all, it shows you how the French communicate, and how to get the best out of this idiosyncratic and brilliant people.
Have a more meaningful and successful time abroad through a better understanding of the local culture. Chapters on values, attitudes, customs, and daily life will help you make the most of your visit, while tips on etiquette and communication will help you navigate unfamiliar situations and avoid faux pas.
audiobook
(7)
Spain: The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture
by Belen Aguado Viguer
read by Charles Armstrong
Part of the Culture Smart! series
In the popular imagination, Spain conjures up a picture of rapacious conquistadores, fiery flamenco dancers, and brilliant artists. All true enough, but how closely does everyday life in modern Spain conform to these dramatic stereotypes? This book explores the complex human realities of contemporary Spanish life. It describes how Spain's history and geography have created both strongly felt regional differences and shared values and attitudes. It reveals what the Spaniards are like at home and in business, how they socialize, and how to build lasting relationships with them. The better you understand the Spanish people, the more you will be enriched by your experience of this vital, warm, and varied country, where the individual is important and the enjoyment of life is paramount.
audiobook
(19)
Italy: The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture
by Barry Tomalin
read by Charles Armstrong
Part of the Culture Smart! series
Italy delights and stimulates with its magnificent cities and monuments, stunningly beautiful landscapes, the glory of its art and architecture, the richness and variety of its food, the elegance of its design and fashion, and the vitality and charm of its people. Italian style and culture have been exported all over the world. At home, however, Italian society and politics are facing challenges as the country struggles to maintain its standard of living, the stability of its currency, and its ability to provide jobs. The influx of refugees across the Mediterranean is putting pressure on both its social fabric and its economy. Culture Smart! Italy is an insider's guide to their daily lives, passions, and preoccupations. It introduces you to their history and culture and provides vital information and practical tips to help smooth your path in different social situations.
audiobook
(4)
Switzerland: The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture
by Kendall Maycock
read by Anna Bentinck
Part of the Culture Smart! series
There is far more to Switzerland than beautiful scenery, chocolate, watches, faceless bankers, and spotless cities. The real Switzerland is full of surprises and anything but bland. This small, rugged, landlocked country at the heart of Europe has been a confederation since the first three cantons came together in a defensive alliance in 1291. Four national languages are spoken within its borders. Its present twenty-six cantons are largely autonomous and retain their individual characters. In this grassroots democracy real power lies with the people, who exercise it directly through frequent referendums. Swissness is, above all, a spirit of independence and of communal involvement.
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Switzerland: The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture
by Kendall Hunter
read by Charles Armstrong
Part of the Culture Smart! series
Set aside your preconceptions of postcard scenery, chocolate and cheese, faceless bankers, and spotless cities. The real Switzerland is anything but bland. This small, multilingual, and fiercely independent country at the heart of Europe is full of surprises.
Culture Smart! Switzerland reveals the human dimension of this enigmatic country. It provides a historical overview, explores Swiss values and attitudes, and looks at the cultural continuity of festivals and traditions. It will help you navigate your way through various aspects of Swiss life and society and reveal the warmth, decency, wit, and intelligence that characterizes its inhabitants.
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(1)
Cambodia - Culture Smart!
The Essential Guide To Customs & Culture
by Kate Reavill
read by Nick Mondelli
Part of the Culture Smart! series
Don't just see the sights?get to know the people.
Say Cambodia, and two associations often come to mind: the lost glories of Angkor, and the horrors of the Khmer Rouge. Any understanding of Cambodia today, however, must embrace these opposites, as well as the changing attitudes within the country caused by something of a demographic revolution?today, close to seventy percent of Cambodians are under thirty.
In the past, Cambodia was the center of the Khmer empire. For six hundred years it ruled much of what is now Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand from its capital at Angkor. The ruins of the Khmer palaces, temples, and cities testify to its power, wealth, high culture, and engineering prowess, while their subsequent abandonment and long obscurity provide a sobering example of civilization's fragility. Today, Cambodia is negotiating its rich and complex past with the challenges of modernity in a globalized world.
Culture Smart! Cambodia is for all those who want to do more than just scratch the surface of this fascinating country. Thoroughly updated, this new edition will enrich your understanding of the land and its people. It explains the key values, attitudes, customs, and traditions that you need to be aware of and provides practical tips and vital information on how to make the most of your time in Cambodia.
Have a richer and more meaningful experience abroad through a better understanding of the local culture. Chapters on history, values, attitudes, and traditions will help you to better understand your hosts, while tips on etiquette and communicating will help you to navigate unfamiliar situations and avoid faux pas.
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Spain: The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture
by Belen Aguado Viguer
read by Peter Noble
Part of the Culture Smart! series
Culture Smart! - Spain provides essential information on attitudes, beliefs and behavior in Spain, ensuring that you arrive aware of basic manners, common courtesies, and sensitive issues. This concise guide tells you what to expect, how to behave, and how to establish a rapport with your Spanish 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.
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Peru - Culture Smart!
The Essential Guide To Customs & Culture
by John Forrest
read by Christopher P. Brown
Part of the Culture Smart! series
Don't just see the sights-get to know the people.
Peru's distinctive Spanish and indigenous cultures that first encountered each other five hundred years ago have progressively integrated. However, the ongoing process of mixing raises questions about the nature of Peruvian identity, and Peruvian society remains economically and culturally divided.
Culture Smart! Peru introduces you to the changing realities of modern Peru. It describes contemporary values and attitudes, key customs and traditions, and reveals what people are like at home, in business, and in their social lives. Peruvians are outgoing, sociable, and laid-back; get to know them, and they will respond with warmth and generosity.
Have a richer and more meaningful experience abroad through a better understanding of the local culture. Chapters on history, values, attitudes, and traditions will help you to better understand your hosts, while tips on etiquette and communicating will help you to navigate unfamiliar situations and avoid faux pas.
audiobook
(0)
Cyprus - Culture Smart!
The Essential Guide To Customs & Culture
by Constantine Buhayer
read by Christopher P. Brown
Part of the Culture Smart! series
Don't just see the sights―get to know the people.
For much of its history Cyprus was regarded as the Cinderella of empires--beautiful, abused, isolated. Today, the island is divided between the Greek-Cypriot south and the Turkish occupied north. However, both sides take pride in a shared "Cypriotness," and are united in their common hopes, pain, memories, music, excellent cuisine, rich history, and majestic landscape.
Culture Smart! Cyprus equips you with essential information on the history, values, and attitudes of the people you will meet, their customs and traditions, and offers tips on etiquette and socializing.
Have a more meaningful and successful time abroad through a better understanding of the local culture. Chapters on values, attitudes, customs, and daily life will help you make the most of your visit, while tips on etiquette and communication will help you navigate unfamiliar situations and avoid faux pas.
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USA - Culture Smart!
The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture
by Alan Beechey
read by Christopher P. Brown
Part of the Culture Smart! series
Don't just see the sights―get to know the people.
Who can afford not to understand the USA? Underneath the gleaming smile of American popular culture lies a rich and complex society that brims with contrasts and contradictions. It is a culture of rugged individualism, of go–getters, of high–tech high achievers. At the same time it is a deeply religious country with a quiet devotion to church and charitable works.
This new edition of USA – Culture Smart! reveals a society in transition. In an increasingly polarized political and cultural climate, and with an ever–widening gap between the haves and the have–nots, the rise of social media has given more Americans a voice. As Americans wake up to a changing world where their global economic dominance is no longer assured, attitudes and behaviors are being challenged and reassessed across the land.
USA – Culture Smart! takes you on a tour of the core influences and ideals that have shaped this great country and have driven the behavior and attitudes found on Main Street and in the workplace. It looks at Americans at work, at home, and at play, and provides the visitor with an up–to–date cultural road map of this dynamic, multifaceted society.
Have a more meaningful and successful time abroad through a better understanding of the local culture. Chapters on values, attitudes, customs, and daily life will help you make the most of your visit, while tips on etiquette and communication will help you navigate unfamiliar situations and avoid faux pas.
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(1)
Malaysia - Culture Smart!
The Essential Guide To Customs & Culture
by Victor King
read by Nick Mondelli
Part of the Culture Smart! series
Don't just see the sights-get to know the people.
Malaysia presents visitors with an exciting and fascinating medley of cultures--Malay, Chinese, Indian, Arab, Eurasian, Dayak, and Aboriginal. Though very much a modern nation state, its diverse communities retain a considerable amount of their unique heritage and, in its customs, religions, festivals, costume, cuisine, languages, and architecture, Malaysian society perfectly illustrates the virtues of a vibrant pluralism.
Culture Smart! Malaysia sets out to help you navigate this rich and complex cultural mix. It provides a succinct and straightforward introduction to Malaysian history and society, explains the deeper core values of the different ethnic groups, and guides you through the maze of Malaysian etiquette and behavior for both social and business settings.
Have a richer and more meaningful experience abroad through a better understanding of the local culture. Chapters on history, values, attitudes, and traditions will help you to better understand your hosts, while tips on etiquette and communicating will help you to navigate unfamiliar situations and avoid faux pas.
audiobook
(0)
Saudi Arabia - Culture Smart!
The Essential Guide To Customs & Culture
by Cheryl Obal
read by Melanie Crawley
Part of the Culture Smart! series
Don't just see the sights―get to know the people.
From a distance, Saudi Arabia may seem a subdued, or even dull place; but for those who take a closer look it emerges as a fascinating country, not necessarily because of its political and economic importance, but because of its people. Reticent perhaps but, on closer acquaintance, charming and warm, the Saudis form a far less monolithic society than one might expect.
Divided by region, creed, and background but united in Islam, insular yet forever traveling abroad, and living with a foreign contingent that makes up nearly one-third of the population: the list goes on. So what do Saudis have in common beyond their national dress?
Culture Smart! Saudi Arabia will help you navigate the swirling waters of this important and fast-changing country. Social, cultural, and business life is demystified in concise chapters, while sections on the values, traditions, and attitudes that prevail will help you find your way through the new and unexpected situations that you are likely to encounter.
Have a more meaningful and successful time abroad through a better understanding of the local culture. Chapters on values, attitudes, customs, and daily life will help you make the most of your visit, while tips on etiquette and communication will help you navigate unfamiliar situations and avoid faux pas.
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Indonesia - Culture Smart!
The Essential Guide To Customs & Culture
by Graham Saunders
read by Jodie Harris
Part of the Culture Smart! series
Don't just see the sights-get to know the people.
Indonesia, stretching across three time zones and situated on one of the world's great maritime trade routes, has a rich and varied culture.
Culture Smart! Indonesia describes the many different cultural backgrounds that make up this rainbow nation, helping you to better understand the values that underpin its diverse society. It reveals how modern Indonesians view themselves and go about their daily lives, and gives advice on how to navigate unfamiliar situations. Armed with essential cultural information and tips on effective communication, readers are better placed to have a more meaningful and successful experience in this fascinating country.
Have a richer and more meaningful experience abroad through a better understanding of the local culture. Chapters on history, values, attitudes, and traditions will help you to better understand your hosts, while tips on etiquette and communicating will help you to navigate unfamiliar situations and avoid faux pas.
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Finland - Culture Smart!
The Essential Guide To Customs & Culture
by Elena Barrett
read by Jodie Harris
Part of the Culture Smart! series
Don't just see the sights?get to know the people.
The people of this land of white summer nights and pristine lakes are famous for their sisu, a form of enterprising stoicism. They are survivors: if you were stranded on a desert island, your ideal companion would be a Finn. Before you knew it, the sauna would be ready, fishhooks positioned, a fire burning, and any edible berries picked and prepared for eating. Shaped by the harsh physical beauty around them, the Finns can be melancholy, yet have a great sense of humor. Their music is often in the minor key, but they love to dance, sing, and perform. They cherish their traditions, from name days to near-pagan rituals, yet they are great innovators.
Culture Smart! Finland describes the historical, geographical, and cultural influences that have shaped the Finnish psyche, and guides you through the working and social lives of the Finns today, offering you a deeper, more rewarding experience of this beautiful land.
Have a more meaningful and successful time abroad through a better understanding of the local culture. Chapters on values, attitudes, customs, and daily life will help you make the most of your visit, while tips on etiquette and communication will help you navigate unfamiliar situations and avoid faux pas.
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Mexico: The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture
by Russel Maddicks
read by Charles Armstrong
Part of the Culture Smart! series
This guide to Mexico takes you to the heart of Mexican society. It describes how people socialize and meet members of the opposite sex, the dynamics of daily life, the central importance of family, and the annual cycle of Catholic feasts and fiestas. For business travelers, there are key sections on the economy and vital insights into the general business culture. The third-largest country in Latin America, Mexico is hugely diverse, having both rural areas, where time seems to have stood still, and manic urban centers like Mexico City, one of the most densely populated and exciting cities in the world. Famed for its well-preserved archaeological sites, cobblestoned colonial towns, and beautiful beaches, it is a major magnet for tourists. Mexico also has a name as a creative powerhouse in the region, with world-renowned artists such as Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera, a cinema industry that has been producing award-winning movies since the Golden Age of the 1940s, and a literary scene second to none in Latin America.
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Vietnam: The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture
by Geoffrey Murray
read by Charles Armstrong
Part of the Culture Smart! series
Vietnam is one of the most fascinating destinations in Southeast Asia. Having emerged from two decades of war, it is has undergone a period of rapid and far-reaching change, and its people have their eyes fixed firmly on the horizon.
Culture Smart! Vietnam is for those who want to learn about the traditional values, sensibility, and modern way of life of the Vietnamese. It explains deep-seated attitudes and describes some of the social, economic, and cultural changes now underway. Aimed at dispelling common misconceptions, it gives practical advice on what to expect and how to behave in unfamiliar situations in order to help you discover for yourself the warmth and humor of this tough, resilient people.
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Russia: The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture
by Anna King
read by Charles Armstrong
Part of the Culture Smart! series
Discovering the Russian soul is like opening a matryoshka, a Russian doll, revealing the many layers. The Russian Orthodox religion is unique, Russian history is tragic, and the people are unpredictable. Russia's military and political power, as well as the rich contribution of its art and culture, is the result of an inner dynamic not always understood by outsiders. This book sets out to help listeners become more perceptive travelers and to make trips more personally fulfilling. It explores the connections between Russia's turbulent past and its paradoxical present, it describes present-day values and attitudes, and it offers practical advice on what to expect and how to behave in different social circumstances.
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China: The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture
by Kathy Flower
read by Charles Armstrong
Part of the Culture Smart! series
For thousands of years, the Chinese believed that they had created a perfect social system based on Confucian values and tempered by the Mandate of Heaven. Dynasties came and went, but the essence of being Chinese remained essentially unchanged until the twentieth century. Since then, change has taken place in Chinese society at an unprecedented speed: the country experienced the turmoil of civil war and revolution and then emerged on to the world stage as a global superpower. This book aims to put these changes into a historical context, explain deep-seated cultural attitudes, and guide listeners through a maze of unfamiliar social situations, in order to help them discover the pragmatism, genius, warmth, and humanity of this extraordinary people.
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Uganda: The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture
by Ian Clarke
read by Charles Armstrong
Part of the Culture Smart! series
Once notorious for the tyranny of Idi Amin, immortalized in the film The Last King of Scotland, Uganda has, for the last twenty-six years or so, struggled to overcome its negative image. It has largely been successful. Rated the best country to visit in 2012, it was one named of the best tourist destinations of 2013 by National Geographic magazine. In addition to its game parks, home to the Big Five, Uganda has one of the largest numbers of recorded bird species of any country. It is also the home of the famed mountain gorillas, and the mighty Nile River provides some of the best whitewater rafting in the world. Add to this an almost perfect climate and spectacular sightseeing, including the source of the Nile, Murchison Falls, the "little Switzerland" of Kabale, the volcanic lakes, and the Rwenzori Mountains, and one can understand why Winston Churchill called Uganda "the Pearl of Africa." But Uganda not only has wildlife and natural beauty to offer-the Ugandan people are what makes it different. Drawn from over fifty tribes, they make up a rich blend of traditions. Kampala is famous as the social capital of East Africa, the city that never sleeps, where every kind of nightlife is on offer, and Ugandans have now been officially rated the happiest people in East Africa! This book provides key insights into Ugandan life and offers practical tips on how best to meet the Ugandan people on their own terms, vital information for tourists and businessmen alike.
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Israel: The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture
by Jeffrey Geri
read by Charles Armstrong
Part of the Culture Smart! series
This edition provides important insights for listeners, revealing what to expect and how to behave, how to avoid misunderstandings, and how to form good social and business relationships when on visit to Israel. While Israel is a modern and largely secular country, it is one steeped in biblical history-a place where religion still plays an active role in public life. In seventy years, it has grown from a sparsely populated strip of land into a vigorous democracy and regional superpower. Often called the Startup Nation, Israel is a world leader in a number of high-tech industries. Its democratic institutions, despite political and social polarization in recent years, are among the most enlightened in the world. This pocket guide will help listeners understand the country and its people beyond the headlines, ensuring greater understanding and a valuable and successful traveling experience.