Culture Smart!
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Russia - Culture Smart!
The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture
by Culture Smart!
Part of the Culture Smart! series
Don't just see the sights-get to know the people.
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.
Culture Smart! Russia sets out to help you to become a more perceptive traveler, and to make your trip more personally fulfilling. It explores the connections between Russia s turbulent past and its paradoxical present; it describes present-day values and attitudes, and offers practical advice on what to expect and how to behave in different social circumstances.
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.
ebook
(0)
Czech Republic
The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture
by Culture Smart!
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.
ebook
(0)
Philippines - Culture Smart!
The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture
by Various Authors
Part of the Culture Smart! series
Don't just see the sights-get to know the people.
The Philippines may appear to be one of the most Westernized countries in Asia. However, the realities of Filipino life are complex; the faÇade of the English language does not run deep.
Culture Smart! Philippines gives you the inside story of this unique and attractive country and unpacks the daily lives of its inhabitants. An explanation of the values, attitudes, and customs of the Filipinos today opens the way to a more meaningful experience, while an abundance of practical information on socializing, working, shopping, and communicating will help to make it a more enjoyable experience, too.
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.
ebook
(0)
Malaysia - Culture Smart!
The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture
by Various Authors
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 behaviour 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.
ebook
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Singapore - Culture Smart!
The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture
by Angela Milligan
Part of the Culture Smart! series
Culture Smart! Singapore will introduce you to the rich and varied customs of this densely populated island-state. It describes its private, social, and business life, and tells you what to expect and how to behave in unfamiliar situations. In doing so it offers you a fuller, more rounded experience of this fascinating, conservative, "can-do" society. Singapore is a land of immigrants. Although the Chinese are by far the largest ethnic group, it is more of a salad bowl than a melting pot, and has never had a dominant culture or a single language. It is, however, possible to recognize a common identity that has emerged since independence in 1965. With no natural resources, the newly independent state invested in education and trade, and today this clean, sleek, air-conditioned nation is a global financial center that makes much of the West seem third-rate. Singaporeans are hardworking, goal-focused individuals who are both enterprising and modern. They love noise, color, and shopping, and are proud of being high-maintenance and competitive. Yet behind this consumerist faÇade is a deep respect for family and hierarchy, political passivity, and a fear of losing face. They often use two Hokkien words to describe themselves: kiasu and kiasi, that is, a fear of missing out and a tendency to be risk-averse. Culture Smart! Singapore describes how locals interact with each other and with outsiders, and tells you what to expect and how to behave in unfamiliar situations. For foreigners the culture shock can be subtle. Despite its Western veneer this is definitely an Asian city, and it is easy to make mistakes. Any open expression of anger is frowned upon, and while questions about politics will be met with silence, expect to be asked everything, including your salary.
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China - Culture Smart!
The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture
by Culture Smart!
Part of the Culture Smart! series
Don't just see the sights- get to know the people.
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 unprecedented speed, as the country first experienced the turmoil of civil war and revolution before emerging on to the world stage as a global superpower.
This thoroughly updated edition of Culture Smart! China puts these changes into historical context, explains deep-seated cultural attitudes, and guides you through the maze of unfamiliar social situations, in order to help you discover for yourself the pragmatism, genius, warmth, and humanity of this extraordinary country and its 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.
ebook
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Brazil - Culture Smart!
The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture
by Sandra Branco
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.
ebook
(1)
Turkey - Culture Smart!
The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture
by Charlotte McPherson
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.
Culture Smart! Turkey 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.
ebook
(0)
Spain - Culture Smart!
The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture
by Culture Smart!
Part of the Culture Smart! series
Don't just see the sights-get to know the people.
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?
Culture Smart! Spain 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.
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.
ebook
(0)
Belgium - Culture Smart!
The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture
by Bernadett Varga
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.
ebook
(1)
Portugal
The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture
by Sandy Pinto Basto
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.
ebook
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Ethiopia - Culture Smart!
The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture
by Culture Smart!
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.
ebook
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Kenya - Culture Smart!
The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture
by Jane Barsby
Part of the Culture Smart! series
Don't just see the sights-get to know the people.
Culture Smart! Kenya provides a cultural bridge that will carry you beyond the gloss of the hotels and deep into the warp and weft of everyday life; beyond the game parks and into the intricacies of community and wildlife coexistence; beyond the bounds of tourism and into the freedom of cultural understanding and exchange.
A true "insider's take" gleaned over years of living and working in the country, this guide delivers key insights into the forces, ancient and modern, that have shaped Kenya-and practical guidance on how best to enter into the modern Kenyan social and business environment. Due to its high-action pursuits, cultural treasures, wealth of wildlife, and glorious beach life, it is one of the world's most popular tourist destinations, and the unrivaled "safari capital of the world." As to its people, Kenya is a cultural microcosm comprising more than seventy ethnic groups. Each has its own distinctive cultural identity. All extend the warmth of welcome that has proved to be Kenya's most valuable asset to tourism. Demonstrate an interest in their history, traditions, and way of life, and your welcome will be warmer still.
Have a richer and more meaningful experience 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.
ebook
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Guatemala - Culture Smart!
The Essential Guide To Customs & Culture
by Russell Maddicks
Part of the Culture Smart! series
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.
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Iceland - Culture Smart!
The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture
by Culture Smart!
Part of the Culture Smart! series
Don't just see the sights-get to know the people.
The volcanic island of Iceland has erupted onto the world travel scene in recent years. With otherworldly landscapes of steaming turquoise geysers set among rugged snowy peaks, miles of icy black sand beaches, and the breath-taking splendor of the northern lights, one can only wonder what took so long. But what of the people who call this island home? Behind a stoic veneer lies a proud, industrious, and egalitarian people, whose straightforwardness and ability to wing it have seen them thrive in this beautiful but unforgiving environment.
Culture Smart! Iceland will take you to the heart of this plucky Nordic nation. It will equip you with a deeper understanding of your hosts and with the tools to turn your visit into a more meaningful and enriching experience, whatever your reason for traveling.
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.
ebook
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Georgia – Culture Smart!
The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture
by Natia Abramia
Part of the Culture Smart! series
Nestled in the Caucasus Mountains at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, Georgia plays a geopolitical role far greater than its size would suggest. Its strategic location has been both a blessing and a curse, however. Once a battlefield of the Christian and Muslim worlds, today it is caught between its EU aspirations and its location in Russia' s backyard. The ancient Silk Road brought the best of the world to Georgia, which has a rich and dramatic historical heritage, an exquisite cuisine and world-renowned wines, authentic folk music and dances, and an educated and hospitable people for whom indulging a guest is more akin to a religious practice than a simple duty. This new edition of Culture Smart! Georgia guides you through the past and present realities of this unique country, and offers practical insights into the customs, values, traditions, and daily life of its people. Visitors who immerse themselves in Georgian culture will find the experience deeply rewarding, and that the welcome of those they meet along the way will far exceed their expectations.
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Germany - Culture Smart!
The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture
by Culture Smart!
Part of the Culture Smart! series
Don't just see the sights-get to know the people.
Germany 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 this culturally rich and inventive people at the heart of Europe.
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.
ebook
(1)
Italy - Culture Smart!
The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture
by Culture Smart!
Part of the Culture Smart! series
Don't just see the sights-get to know the people.
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.
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.
ebook
(0)
Switzerland - Culture Smart!
The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture
by Culture Smart!
Part of the Culture Smart! series
Don't just see the sights-get to know the people.
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 an 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.
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.
ebook
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Preparing for Your Move Abroad
The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture
by Rona Hart
Part of the Culture Smart! series
This comprehensive, step-by-step guide is designed to prepare you for your move abroad and to enable you to manage the transition effectively. Alone in the market, it combines the practical, cultural, and psychological aspects of relocation, and helps to allay the fears and reduce the stresses that accompany this major event in a person's life. Preparing For Your Move Abroad follows a typical relocation timeline, taking you from your first step - the decision to move - to your integration into the host society, and through every step between these two points. Uniquely it offers: * A strong knowledge base for every stage of the relocation journey * A strategy to manage the issues at hand * Psychological preparation * An action plan, presented through exercises, practical steps to consider, checklists, and many easy-to-use tools It deals with the challenge of change by pulling together the practical, cultural, and psychological aspects of relocation and addressing them at each phase of the process. This distinctive approach helps you to develop three essential skills: systematic organization, cultural flexibility, and psychological resilience. These skills are crucial for successful change management, and can be put to use in any new culture, anywhere in the world. Moving to a new society invariably induces a degree of culture shock - largely the result of 'change overload.' Preparing For Your Move Abroad presents a tried and tested strategy to help you manage the experience and quickly recover. No other book addresses this phenomenon, or attempts to help readers develop the skills to cope with it. The book aims to turn the challenges of relocation into opportunities for growth. By equipping you with essential knowledge, tools, and skills, it will help you to anticipate what lies ahead, address the challenges presented by your move with clarity and confidence, and make your transition successful, stress-free, and much more enjoyable.
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France - Culture Smart!
The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture
by Culture Smart!
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 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.
ebook
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Colombia - Culture Smart!
The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture
by Kate Cathey
Part of the Culture Smart! series
Colombia has a spectacular and variant landscape, embracing tropical beaches, highland plateaus, the rugged, snow-capped peaks of the Andes, arid deserts, and dense Amazonian jungle. Colombian society is equally diverse. Stylish, cosmopolitan cities coexist with poverty in the beautiful countryside. As a result of the 16th-century Spanish conquest, modern Colombia's multiethnic society is a synthesis of Spanish, indigenous, and African traditions-evident in the music, in the food, and in Barranquilla's famous Carnival. The Colombian people are emerging from decades of crushing civil war and lawlessness with their spirits unbroken. Animated, lighthearted, and ever ready to enjoy the moment, they are looking to the future with hope and are eager to share their rich and beautiful country with the outside world. This pocket-sized book reveals Colombia's key customs and traditions, examines life at home and at work, and introduces some distinct and delicious culinary quirks. There is also advice on safe travel, vital information on how business is done, and how to communicate effectively across the cultural divide.
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Canada - Culture Smart!
The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture
by Diane Lemieux
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.
Culture Smart! Canada 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.
ebook
(1)
Ireland - Culture Smart!
The Essential Guide To Customs & Culture
by Alexandra Furbee
Part of the Culture Smart! series
Most guidebooks on Ireland will tell you where to stay and what to see. Culture Smart! Ireland 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.
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Romania – Culture Smart!
The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture
by Debbie Stowe
Part of the Culture Smart! series
A land of mountains, hills, and fertile plains, Romania is a tourist destination waiting to be discovered. It is a rich and complex country: a place whose cities are home to beautiful parks and vibrant cultural scenes; whose people welcome guests warmly into their homes, sharing the best of whatever they have, and party into the night, suffused by Latin joie de vivre. Buffeted over time between three great powers- the West, Russia, and Turkey- Romania betrays the cultural influences of each, and it can be a difficult place to get a handle on. Culture Smart! Romania provides an indispensable tool for the foreign visitor, digging deep behind the cliché s, explaining many of the behavioral quirks of the people, smoothing your path toward better understanding, and outlining the many attractions- cultural, social, and geographical- that await you in this underexplored part of Europe.
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Dominican Republic – Culture Smart!
The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture
by Ilana Benady
Part of the Culture Smart! series
If you are looking for a country where everything works like clockwork, now might be a good time to turn back. If you can relax and go with the flow, however, you will experience a land diverse in environment, a rich and dynamic culture, and a people whose friendliness is legendary. Flamboyant, resilient, generous, and headstrong, the Dominican psyche embodies the country' s turbulent historical inheritance and reflects the diversity of their ethnicity. Centuries of Spanish rule, African influence, and the indigenous Taino legacy combine to form a cultural tapestry that is entirely unique. This updated edition of Culture Smart! Dominican Republic looks at the beating heart of Dominican life. It explores the central role of family and social ties, and the significance of music, dance, and festivals. From the lively rhythms of merengue and bachata to the national love of baseball and the colorful cuisine, visitors will gain an insight into the passions, traditions, and values that define the Dominicans today.
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Ghana - Culture Smart!
The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture
by Culture Smart!
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.
Culture Smart! Ghana 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.
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Philippines
The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture
by Graham Colin-Jones
Part of the Culture Smart! series
The Philippines may appear to be one of the most Westernized countries in Asia. However, the realities of Filipino life are complex; the façade of the English language does not run deep. Culture Smart! Philippines gives you the inside story of this unique and attractive country and unpacks the daily lives of its inhabitants. An explanation of the values, attitudes, and customs of the Filipinos today opens the way to a more meaningful experience, while an abundance of practical information on socializing, working, shopping, and communicating will help to make it a more enjoyable experience, too.
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(1)
Bhutan - Culture Smart!
The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture
by Culture Smart!
Part of the Culture Smart! series
Don't just see the sights-get to know the people.
Often called the "Land of the Thunder Dragon," Bhutan was secluded for much of its history, its towering mountains and lush green valleys virtually unvisited, evoking a sense of mystery and wonder. A sovereign country throughout the ages, Bhutan is now establishing its place on the world stage. It is determined to maintain its Buddhist culture and unique way of life as it evolves and adapts to political change and economic challenges.
Culture Smart! Bhutan will give you a deeper insight into the country's history, values, customs, and age-old traditions. It highlights changes in people's attitudes and behavior as the country modernizes, and provides practical guidance on how to get to know the Bhutanese on their own terms, paving the way for a more meaningful experience of this fascinating and beautiful 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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Vietnam - Culture Smart!
The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture
by Various Authors
Part of the Culture Smart! series
Don't just see the sights―get to know the people.
Vietnam is one of Southeast Asia's most fascinating and alluring countries; its rich history, fragrant and flavorful cuisine, and offerings of fast-paced city life, sun-soaked coastline, and idyllic rural getaways are drawing travelers from around the globe once more.
Since having emerged from two decades of war in 1975, the country has undergone a period of rapid and far-reaching change, and today its people have their eyes fixed firmly on the horizon. Culture Smart! Vietnam is for those who want to learn about the values, sensibilities, and modern way of life of the Vietnamese. It explains deep-seated attitudes and describes some of the social, economic, and cultural changes now under way. Aimed at helping you make the most of your time abroad, it also gives practical advice on what to expect and how to behave in unfamiliar situations so you can discover for yourself the warmth and humor of this tough, resilient 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.
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Cambodia
The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture
by Kate Reavill
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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Egypt - Culture Smart!
The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture
by Isabella Morris
Part of the Culture Smart! series
At first sight, modern-day Egypt is an unruly and chaotic place: a cacophony of sounds, an overload of smells, and a swirling visual feast. Ancient church domes and medieval minarets share the same space with fast-food chains and chic air-conditioned cafés.
Egyptian society has undergone dramatic changes in recent years, yet tradition and deeply conservative views prevail. Culture Smart! Egypt explores the codes and paradoxes of Egyptian life, outlines the country' s history, and shows the forces that have shaped its sensibility. It explains the key values and attitudes, guides you through local customs and traditions, and opens a window into the private lives of Egyptians and offers advice on how to get a long with them and how to be a good guest.
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Ireland - Culture Smart!
The Essential Guide To Customs & Culture
by Alexandra Furbee
Part of the Culture Smart! series
Most guidebooks on Ireland will tell you where to stay and what to see. Culture Smart! Ireland 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.
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Russia - Culture Smart!
The Essential Guide To Customs & Culture
by Culture Smart!
Part of the Culture Smart! series
Don't just see the sights-get to know the people.
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.
Culture Smart! Russia sets out to help you to become a more perceptive traveler, and to make your trip more personally fulfilling. It explores the connections between Russia s turbulent past and its paradoxical present; it describes present-day values and attitudes, and offers practical advice on what to expect and how to behave in different social circumstances.
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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Guatemala - Culture Smart!
The Essential Guide To Customs & Culture
by Russell Maddicks
Part of the Culture Smart! series
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.
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Japan - Culture Smart!
The Essential Guide To Customs & Culture
by Culture Smart!
Part of the Culture Smart! series
The exquisite art forms, elegant culture, military prowess, and technological precision of the Japanese have long been the envy of friend and foe alike. Even as Japan adapts to a rapidly changing world, its traditional culture and consensus-based philosophy have proved resilient. Culture Smart! Japan will broaden your perception and understanding of this complex, rich, and dynamic society.
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Nepal
The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture
by Tessa Feller
Part of the Culture Smart! series
Nestling in the foothills of the Himalayas, Nepal is a land of contrasts and incongruities-not least in the variety of its cultural, ethnic, and religious weave. The Nepalese attitude to 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, and the marketplace.
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Pakistan
The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture
by Safia Haleem
Part of the Culture Smart! series
Pakistan is a land with a unique history, formed by migrating peoples who have left their footprint in its diverse cultures, languages, literature, food, dress, and folklore. The country is besieged by bad news, but despite the political turmoil, the everyday life of its people is more stable, rich, and rewarding than the media headlines would lead you to believe. A myriad local festivals and celebrations and a vibrant cultural life go unremarked. Pakistan has the eighth-largest standing army in the world and is the only Muslim-majority nation to possess nuclear weapons, but few know that it is also the home of two unique schools of art. This complex nation consists of various ethnic groups, each with its own individual cultures and subcultures, but which are unified by the common values of hospitality, honor, and respect for elders. Pakistani society has extremes of wealth and poverty, and daily life for most people is full of difficulties, yet everyone knows how to cope with crises. Creative and adaptable, Pakistanis are among the most self-reliant people in the world, bouncing back after major catastrophes. Culture Smart! Pakistan takes you behind the headlines and introduces you to many of the country's little-known traditions. It describes the vitally important cultural and historical background, shows you how modern Pakistanis live today, and offers crucial advice on what to expect and how to behave in different circumstances. This is an extraordinary country of enterprising, tough, and passionate people. Earn their trust and you will be rewarded many times over.
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Ukraine
The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture
by Anna Shevchenko
Part of the Culture Smart! series
This revised and updated edition of Culture Smart! Ukraine reveals a country in the throes of change. The euphoria of the famous Orange Revolution has vanished. The momentum for reform has been checked and the forces of authoritarianism have returned. Even so, modernization continues apace and people are eager to be seen as European. The recent political instability highlights the contradictions of Ukrainian society. Ukrainians are proud of their roots, and reticent about the traumas of their past; the country participates in international space programs and produces the world's largest aircraft, but still lives in a world of superstitions. The Ukrainian way of life is intertwined with ancient customs, the old Soviet legacy, and the search for a new European identity. What strikes visitors to this fascinating and important country is the heady mix of ancient history and youthful energy, the resilience of the people, and their generosity of spirit. For the twentieth anniversary of its independence, Ukraine received quite a present-hosting the key matches of Euro 2012. Now it has a game of its own: to show the world that it is a serious player. This new edition of Culture Smart! Ukraine will enable you to visit the country with open eyes. It describes the history that has shaped the Ukrainian psyche, explains present-day values and attitudes, and offers practical advice on what to expect and how to behave. It aims to make you feel at ease, whether you are shopping in a market, dining out, or attending a business meeting.
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Venezuela
The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture
by Russell Maddicks
Part of the Culture Smart! series
An influential oil producer with a colorful and charismatic president at its helm since 1999, Venezuela is a vast, sometimes frustrating, but never dull country. It is one of the most complex countries in Latin America and one of the least understood. An ambitious attempt to benefit the poor and redistribute oil wealth by President Hugo Chavez has seen a major political transformation in recent years that has put a severe strain on its traditional ties with the USA. He has made steadfast attempts to confront his powerful northern neighbor and reduce Venezuela's economic dependence on the United States. However, Miami remains the top holiday destination for Venezuelans traveling abroad, baseball beats soccer as the preferred sport, and teenage girls still cover their bedroom walls with American idols like Justin Bieber. Venezuelans are known for being friendly, gregarious, and outgoing. They value family over everything and love to criticize the status quo, but they are also fiercely proud and protective of their homeland and react poorly to criticism of their country from outsiders. Culture Smart! Venezuela takes you beyond the stereotypical descriptions of a tropical petro-state, famous for its beauty queens and its populist president, to provide you with an insider's understanding of the country and its people. Practical tips, valuable insights, and vital statistics will help you get to the heart of this vibrant, sometimes contradictory, and increasingly important country.
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UAE
The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture
by John Walsh
Part of the Culture Smart! series
Full of people who aim to combine the ancient and the modern, the UAE is an extremely rewarding place to visit. Set on the southeastern coast of the Arabian Gulf, the country was once a poor desert land, a confederation of tribal sheikhdoms on the periphery of the Arab world, subsisting on pearl diving and fishing. It was a British protectorate until independence in 1971, after which seven of the sheikhdoms united to form a federation, the UAE. The discovery of oil in the 1950s transformed the country's fortunes, and the UAE today is a land of contrasts-embracing skyscrapers, high-tech communications, and luxury hotels, while conservative values and religion remain strong. The UAE is a major player in the shifting alliances of the Middle East and the war against radical Islam, simultaneously seeking a global leadership position while maintaining its social systems and slowly integrating women into public life without violating its core beliefs.
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Afghanistan
The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture
by Nazes Afroz
Part of the Culture Smart! series
Afghanistan is situated at the crossroads of Asia, a strategically important location that connects the Middle East with Central Asia and the Indian subcontinent. Down the ages, it has been subjected to continuous foreign invasion and intervention-from Alexander the Great to Genghis Khan, and as a pawn in the struggle between the British and Russian Empires-making its people wary of outsiders. That history is being repeated in the twenty-first century. Afghanistan has always been seen from the outside as a realm of much intrigue and many myths. The Afghans tried to keep their distance from the outside world-especially from the Europeans who, whether in pursuit of imperial goals or simply as explorer-travelers, attempted to enter and traverse the land. Their very elusiveness attracted Westerners to this landlocked country of high mountains and breathtaking beauty, where age-old customs and traditions were zealously guarded, sometimes at the cost of many lives. The Afghan people are a tapestry of ethnicities woven over time-Pashtuns, Tajiks, Hazaras, Uzbeks, and many smaller ones. Society is organized mainly along ethnic and tribal lines, but ethnic identity becomes irrelevant when a common enemy threatens to take control of the country. There are also many shared values and unwritten codes of conduct that govern interpersonal relations, which are not taken lightly. Visitors are struck by the simplicity, hospitability, dignity, and generosity of the Afghan people, and often confounded by customs that they find hard to understand. Culture Smart! Afghanistan is a unique introduction to the background, habits, traditions, idiosyncrasies, suspicions about foreigners, and patterns of behavior of the Afghan people. It offers visitors invaluable information and insights that will help them to interact with Afghans, to interpret their behavior, and to behave appropriately in their company, whether in personal or business exchanges. Once the ice is broken, the rewards will be great.
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Syria
The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture
by Sarah Standish
Part of the Culture Smart! series
After years of diplomatic isolation, Syria is emerging from the cold. Its government is a key Middle Eastern player, and will be a major element of any possible comprehensive Middle Eastern peace deal. To visit Syria is to become acquainted with one of the most rewarding destinations in the Middle East. Its historic attractions are stunning, and the Syrians are proud and gracious hosts; you can expect to be treated like a person and not just a tourist. Of course, there are always thorns with the roses: Syria's economy is inefficient, and its youth are frustrated; the strong-man political system that has held the country together does not encourage public intellectual life, but nor does it prevent young Syrians from debating with passion in private. The Syrian sense of tradition has preserved some of the bad along with the good, and society remains highly patriarchal. Despite such drawbacks, this is a country that's rich not only in resources, but also, and especially, in its people. American author Sarah Standish looks at Syria's long history and its present-day political realities. She describes the many subgroups that make up the population as well as what unites all Syrians. She offers practical tips for traveling and on what to expect when conducting business. You'll learn how people communicate with each other, and how you can communicate with them. The Syrians will never stop surprising you: get to know a few, and they will turn the stereotypes inside out several times over.
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Costa Rica – Culture Smart!
The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture
by Jane Koutnik
Part of the Culture Smart! series
Costa Rica is renowned for its tropical beauty and for the warmth of its inhabitants- the " Ticos." With an infectious enthusiasm for life, the Ticos are a proud people who cherish their democracy in a region that has seen generations of political unrest. Culture Smart! Costa Rica explores the complexities of modern life in this lush coastal country. It introduces you to the key historical events that have shaped who the Ticos are today, and describes the values, attitudes, customs, and traditions that you are likely to encounter. You will get an insider' s view of the Ticos' home life, how they socialize, how they spend their down time, and how they do business. This insight will open the door to a far richer experience on the ground, while practical information on getting around and communication will smooth your path. Bienvenidos!
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Sweden - Culture Smart!
The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture
by Various Authors
Part of the Culture Smart! series
Don't just see the sights-get to know the people.
Sweden is a strikingly beautiful country with a reverence for the natural environment. Its extremes in geography, climate, and history have given rise to a population that values honesty, self-sufficiency, and harmony. Swedes are a rights-driven, modern, and tech-savvy people who also retain a deep respect for their own cultural legacy. A good background knowledge of the beliefs and values that make up the Swedish way of life will prove invaluable for anyone hoping to do more than just scratch the surface.
Culture Smart! Sweden offers insights into the lives and personalities of the Swedes today, along with tips on socializing, communication, and how to make the most of your time there.
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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Sri Lanka - Culture Smart!
The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture
by Emma Boyle
Part of the Culture Smart! series
Known as the pearl of the Indian Ocean, this resource-rich, lovely island just off the southern tip of India is full of contrast and diversity. Despite the lingering tension between the different religious and ethnic groups in the wake of a bloody civil war, and the glaring inequality between the wealthy elite and rural villagers, all Sri Lankans share a great respect for family, home, and friendship, and pride in their beautiful country. In return, politeness, respect, and a genuine attempt to understand their culture, and acceptance of their relaxed pace of life, are key to gaining their acceptance. Whether visiting for business or for pleasure, Culture Smart! Sri Lanka is the ideal travel companion. By offering insights into Sri Lankan daily life, at home and in the workplace, and describing what Sri Lankans enjoy and how they interact socially, this volume will greatly enrich any experience among this resilient, welcoming people.
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Mexico - Culture Smart!
The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture
by Russell Maddicks
Part of the Culture Smart! series
Don't just see the sights―get to know the people.
The third-largest country in Latin America, Mexico is hugely diverse, having both rural backwaters 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.
This complex and fascinating country is where European and American civilizations first clashed. The repercussions of the meeting in 1519 between the Spanish conquistador HernÁn CortÉs and the Aztec Emperor Montezuma II, and the subsequent devastation wrought by the Spanish conquest, is still felt today.
Culture Smart! Mexico takes you to the heart of Mexican society and introduces you to the proud, spiritual, dynamic, fatalistic, and fun-loving people who call this country home. It describes how people socialize, the dynamics of daily life, the importance of family, and the annual cycle of feasts and fiestas. There's advice on how to negotiate a Mexican menu, as well as information on traveling safely, communicating, and provides you with the tools you need to make the most of your time in Mexico.
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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India - Culture Smart!
The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture
by Various Authors
Part of the Culture Smart! series
Don't just see the sights-get to know the people.
India's huge population of 1.2 billion is as varied and colorful as the spice markets of Old Delhi. Each region, caste, and community has its own culture, reflecting unique histories shaped by conquest, creativity, and religion. Steeped in ancient traditions, exceptionally fatalistic, and intensely passionate about their culture, the Indians are also ingenious, creative, and world leaders in cutting-edge science and technology. Show interest in their country and it will be reciprocated with genuine warmth and friendship.
Culture Smart! India will make you aware of the essential values and behavioral norms, show you how to navigate often profound cultural differences and build relationships, and offer invaluable insights into this great, endlessly fascinating land.
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.