CultureShock! Czech Republic: A Survival Guide to Customs and Etiquette (Cultureshock Czech Republic: A Survival Guide to Customs & Etiquettete) [Paperback]

Tim Nollen (Author)

Book Description

Series: Cultureshock Czech Republic: A Survival Guide to Customs & Etiquettete | Publication Date: January 2009

With over three million copies in print, CultureShock! is a bestselling series of culture and etiquette guides covering countless destinations around the world. For anyone at risk of culture shock, whether a tourist or a long-term resident, CultureShock! provides a sympathetic and fun-filled crash course on the do's and don'ts in foreign cultures. Fully updated and sporting a fresh new look, the revised editions of these books enlighten and inform through such topics as language, food and entertaining, social customs, festivals, relationships, and business tips. CultureShock! books are packed with useful details on transportation, taxes, finances, accommodation, health, food and drink, clothes, shopping, festivals, and much, much more.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Tim Nollen is a Marshall Cavendish author.

Product Details

• Paperback: 292 pages
• Publisher: Marshall Cavendish Corporation; 2 edition (January 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0761454780
• ISBN-13: 978-0761454786
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 4.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #502,919 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #51 in Books > Travel > Europe > Czech Republic

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars For more than a quick visit, May 7, 2011

By 

Mitchell - See all my reviews

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This review is from: CultureShock! Czech Republic: A Survival Guide to Customs and Etiquette (Cultureshock Czech Republic: A Survival Guide to Customs & Etiquettete) (Paperback)

I felt compelled to write a review for this book as it not only served me well but is itself not served by its only other review.

The other review concerns a previous edition, so I'll grant that my edition is likely better in some respects. Having stayed in Prague for a relatively longer time (a still-short four months), though, it's worth pointing out that this is neither a vacation guide nor a list of "just getting by" phrases. It's a fairly in depth look at what to expect from a stay in the Czech Republic - the people, customs, and language in which you will hopefully immerse yourself.

It's been a while since I was in Prague so I can't honestly remember each bit of the book. I do remember, though, that it

1) Helped me manage my expectations. Most of the students in my program were frequently met with disappointment when the Czechs they met were so "unfriendly." Many retreated to the dorms almost full-time, swinging from unrealistic optimism to dejected apathy within a few weeks. Reading this helped me appreciate that the cultural differences that can make an American feel discouraged are opportunities to learn. It's really easy to throw your hands up in exasperation (in fact, if I remember, the author does recommend taking time to yourself to recharge and relax) but persistence and remaining open to new experiences is essential.

2) Taught me to consider myself and my way of life as just being one of many, and certainly not the best. This really paid off, as I made more friends than I thought I would and had some it-seemed-really-deep-at-the-time conversations with people from all over the world. Definitely the book's biggest benefit as it gave me the most lasting memories.

3) Taught me little tips and tricks to help navigate every-day life - everything from public transit and shopping to drinking etiquette and good insults. The language section was not in-depth but still quite helpful.

The author certainly did not intend this to be read by people only staying for a short while, and although he may also not have meant it for people only studying abroad for a semester it still helped me a lot. If the above seems tacky and long-winded, it's because my stay was surprisingly wonderful and this book was a big contributor to that. I recommend it to anyone who wants more than just a semester off from "real school" but is realistic enough to not expect to fully assimilate in a short while, with no effort.