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20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Going to Ireland? Buy this book!, April 13, 2000
I highly recommend "Culture Shock! A Guide to Customs and Etiquette: Ireland." This is not your average travel book containing descriptions of places, events, lodging, exchange rates, etc... Instead, it gives the nitty gritty on how to conduct yourself in your day-to-day life. Especially enjoyable was the chapter entitled "Paddies", which gives a valuable groundwork in dispelling myths and stereotypes surrounding the Irish and Ireland. I'd liken the book to the grease which lubricates social wheels. Quite useful is the insight into historical forces in Irish lives, as well as the influence of the land, religion, and politics on Irish culture. Entertaining and informative, this book will help visitors to Ireland get more out of their visit.
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13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
After All, It's Not All Shillelaghs and Shamrocks, February 27, 2003
This review is from: Ireland (Culture Shock! A Survival Guide to Customs & Etiquette) (Paperback)
If you think of green beer, shamrocks and leprechauns when someone says "Ireland" then this is a book for you. Different from a travel guide, this book will help a new Eire inductee gain insight to Ireland and the Irish people themselves whether you are there for vacation, business trip or school. Especially good is the section about Irish history, the people involved in the making of that history and the important player's in making peace in Northern Ireland. Having said that, this book is badly in need of an update since it stops just after the 1998 Peace Agreement was reached. It also helps you to understand where each side is coming from and how not to make conversation faux pas when discussing the often sensitive issue of The Troubles. The book is great for an overall feel of Ireland's culture but it's not for those who have had much exposure already. Having gone on several trips to Ireland and knowing many native Irish individuals personaly, I found much of the book to be too basic. However I still was still entertained and learned bit more about the Irish in general. I wish I had read it before my first trip; it would have helped me to understand and appreciate the island more at that time.
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11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
much to like, but appeal will vary a bit, September 25, 2000
Obligatory caveat: I have only been to Ireland once. For this reason I disqualify myself from making authoritative statements as to whether Levy's impressions are accurate; I can only compare against what I do know. With this in mind, what I found most helpful is the up-to-date impressions of the author concerning the issues that tear at the national psyche of the Republic. She makes clear that much has changed in Ireland in the past forty years in almost every aspect of life, and gives the right amount of detail. Her suggestions as to pub etiquette are quite good, and pub culture is a key aspect of Irish life because they are in fact community centres of a sort. Her tone is that of someone who likes Ireland and its people, but is not blind to their foibles and weaknesses. Stereotypes are addressed head-on and debunked where necessary. There is a distinctly feminist tinge to a lot of Levy's commentary. I don't think it reaches the level of polemic, but it would affect the reader's enjoyment of the book positively or negatively depending upon receptiveness to the author's views. Myself, I thought most of it was on the mark but that a few of the comments needed some balance. Those supportive of feminism will find it refreshing; those hostile to it will likely be put off. The factor that bothered me most, oddly, was the consistent misspelling of Gaelic terms. While I understand that spelling Gaelic using the Latin characters is in some ways not an exact science, the misspelled words are among the most commonly known and the errors are glaring--if you pronounce the word as printed, you do not get the word that is commonly known. I felt this to be sufficiently glaring for a markdown. Recommended with the specified reservations. Would form a good basis for avoiding pitfalls and entering into discussions with the Irish if you were planning to visit.
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