In the Know in Japan: The Indispensable Guide to Working and Living in Japan [Paperback]

Jennifer Phillips (Author)

Book Description

Series: In the Know | Publication Date: April 15, 2003

Be IN THE KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

Doing business across borders is very different from doing business across town–subtle and not-so-subtle differences in attitudes and etiquette play a big role.

Did you know?
• Bowing in Japan isn’t just bending at the waist; where you put your hands and how deep you bow makes a big difference!
• Don’t give gifts in groups of four or nine. “Four” and “nine” are unlucky because the words sound like “death” and “hardship” in Japanese.
• Don’t expect Japanese colleagues to come out and say “no.” They will usually say “maybe.”

In the Know in Japan helps you:
• Fit right in by understanding local manners, etiquette, and behaviors
• Navigate through everyday life with tips for the whole family
• Get an insider’s perspective on the social and business environment

The book includes a FREE 60-minute CD with the key phrases you need to make a great impression.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

Be IN THE KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

Doing business across borders is very different from doing business across town?subtle and not-so-subtle differences in attitudes and etiquette play a big role.

Did you know?
? Bowing in Japan isn?t just bending at the waist; where you put your hands and how deep you bow makes a big difference!
? Don?t give gifts in groups of four or nine. ?Four? and ?nine? are unlucky because the words sound like ?death? and ?hardship? in Japanese.
? Don?t expect Japanese colleagues to come out and say ?no.? They will usually say ?maybe.?

In the Know in Japan helps you:
? Fit right in by understanding local manners, etiquette, and behaviors
? Navigate through everyday life with tips for the whole family
? Get an insider?s perspective on the social and business environment

The book includes a FREE 60-minute CD with the key phrases you need to make a great impression.

From the Back Cover

Praise for the In the Know series:

“I am extremely impressed. The author did an excellent job of explaining the culture, incorporating illuminating examples, and providing useful suggestions. Thank you for producing such a useful and readable guide to doing business abroad.”
–Eric Wiesen, Evaluation Specialist, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

“Relevant to everyone from the business traveler or expatriate on assignment to the casual reader.”
–Hai Yan Zhang, Intercultural Consultant to Fortune 500 companies in the
United States and China

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Living Language (April 15, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0609611143
• ISBN-13: 978-0609611142
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,737,647 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Indispensible,yes, and an enjoyable work to read., February 12, 2005

By 

Nicholas Soucy (Lansing, Mi United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: In the Know in Japan: The Indispensable Guide to Working and Living in Japan (Paperback)

Reading this book will help prepare expatriates know about the culture and subcultures of the Japanese. The text comes with a 60-minute CD that can be read along with to practice some common and practical Japanese words/phrases.

This book does not prepare readers for writing or understanding kanji characters, but it can let you know how to say things like: Where are the restrooms? : Toire wa doko desu ka?, as well as times, calendar terms, business jargon and a bit more.

I think the value of this book lies in the fact that it is comprehensive. It begins with a nice little history lesson about the eastern archipelago. It progresses into conversational but well-written explanations of transportation, lodging, etiquette, politics and the psychological aspects of entering (and eventually leaving) such a different culture. It also has a nice little black-and-white map printed on the inside front cover.

This book is ideal for students, travellers, TEFL teachers and people who just want to learn about a very interesting society.

I enjoyed reading it and I think it's worth its price.