Philippines - Culture Smart!: the essential guide to customs & culture [Paperback]

Graham Colin-Jones (Author), Yvonne Colin-Jones (Author)

Book Description

Series: Culture Smart! | Publication Date: September 5, 2006

Culture Smart! provides essential information on attitudes, beliefs and behavior in different countries, 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! 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. Contents include


* customs, values, and traditions
* historical, religious, and political background
* life at home
* leisure, social, and cultural life
* eating and drinking
* do's, don'ts, and taboos
* business practices
* communication, spoken and unspoken


"Culture Smart has come to the rescue of hapless travellers." Sunday Times Travel

"... the perfect introduction to the weird, wonderful and downright odd quirks and customs of various countries." Global Travel

"...full of fascinating-as well as common-sense-tips to help you avoid embarrassing faux pas." Observer

"...as useful as they are entertaining." Easyjet Magazine

"...offer glimpses into the psyche of a faraway world." New York Times

Editorial Reviews

Review

Culture Smart! has come to the rescue of hapless travellers, Sunday Times Travel - ...the perfect introduction to the weird, wonderful and downright odd quirks and customs of various countries, Global Travel - ...full of fascinating, as well as common sense, tips to help you avoid embarrassing faux pas, Observer - ...as useful as they are entertaining, Easy Jet Magazine - ...offer glimpses into the psyche of a faraway world, New York Times.

About the Author

GRAHAM COLIN-JONES is British by birth, a linguist by training, and an international civil servant by profession. He is also the author of books on English grammar, business letter writing, and report writing. He has lived and worked overseas for twenty-two years and has experienced the realities of living and working in Asian cultures, including fifteen years in the Philippines.

YVONNE QUAHE COLIN-JONES is Singaporean by birth, a sociologist by training, and a cross-cultural trainer and relocation professional. She is also an author of the book. We Remember: Cameos of Pioneer Life, a social history of Singapore using oral history as a medium of documentation. She has lived most of her life overseas.

Product Details

• Paperback: 168 pages
• Publisher: Kuperard; Reprinted edition edition (September 5, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1857333179
• ISBN-13: 978-1857333176
• Product Dimensions: 4.5 x 0.5 x 6.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #904,107 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #44 in Books > Travel > Asia > Philippines

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Philippines- Culture Smart! Review, November 9, 2007

By 

R. Garcia (San Francisco, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Philippines - Culture Smart!: the essential guide to customs & culture (Paperback)

The Philippines- Culture Smart! book is intended for the American or Western business traveler only. It only provides guidance for social and business interactions with a short term visit in mind. I find it amusing that the book attempts to give advice for the expatriate business traveler, but there is no way that this book is sufficient, even for a brief visit. As very quick guide (1 - 2 hour reading) for the first time traveler, on a very short trip, this book may help you avoid any hideous cultural mishap, but as for insight into the Pilipino culture, it is definitely lacking. I would recommend the Culture Shock! Book or the Insight book instead for those seeking the next level.