Share <Embed>

Buy New

$14.91

List Price: $24.95
Save: $10.04 (40%)

$14.91

Only 1 left in stock - order soon.

Ships from and sold by Prime Quality Treasures.

Turn on 1-Click ordering for this browser

This item does not ship to France. Please check other sellers who may ship internationally.

Deliver to France

Buy Used

$4.99

+ $0.00 shipping

Deliver to France

Used: Very Good | Details

Sold by Better World Books: West

Turn on 1-Click ordering for this browser

Added to

Unable to add item to List. Please try again.

Other Sellers on Amazon

Add to Cart

$34.84

Sold by: Wiz Books

Add to Cart

$39.95
+ $24.95 shipping

Sold by: fortbc

Have one to sell? Sell on Amazon

Flip to back Flip to front

Listen Playing... Paused You're listening to a sample of the Audible audio edition.
Learn more

See this image

How to Be a Perfect Stranger: The Essential Religious Etiquette Handbook Hardcover – November 1, 1995

by Arthur J. Magida (Editor), Jr. Cloud Sanford (Foreword)

11 customer reviews

See all 15 formats and editions Hide other formats and editions

Price

New from

Used from

Kindle

"Please retry"

$12.61

—

Hardcover

"Please retry"

$14.91

$10.92

$0.25

Paperback

"Please retry"

$18.40

$8.98

$2.50

Mass Market Paperback

"Please retry"

$42.00

$4.08

These easy-to-use guidebooks help the well-meaning guest of any other faith feel at ease, participate to the fullest extent possible, and avoid violating anyone's religious principles or hurting their feelings. Not a guide to theology. Not presented from the perspective of any particular faith.

What will happen? What do I do? What do I wear? What do I say? When is it OK to leave? What should I avoid doing, wearing, or saying? What are their basic beliefs? Should I bring a gift? These are just a few of the basic, very practical questions answered in How to Be a Perfect Stranger, Vol 1 and 2, two books that belong in every living room, library, and office. Originally published in hardcover by Jewish Lights Publishing, these updated and expanded trade paperback editions now include information for the Canadian branches of each faith, plus an added chapter on the largest Protestant denomination in Canada, The United Church of Canada.

VOL.1: How to Be a Perfect Stranger is based on information obtained from authorities of each religion. Assemblies of God; Baptist; Buddhist; The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ); Churches of Christ; Christian Science (Church of Christ, Scientist); Episcopalian and Anglican; Greek Orthodox; Hindu; Islam; Jehovah's Witnesses; Jewish; Lutheran; Methodist; Mormon (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints); Presbyterian; Quaker (Religious Society of Friends); Roman Catholic; Seventh-day Adventist; United Church of Canada; United Church of Christ.

Customers who viewed this item also viewed

Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1

This shopping feature will continue to load items. In order to navigate out of this carousel please use your heading shortcut key to navigate to the next or previous heading.

Stuart M. Matlins

11

Paperback
$19.99
Stuart M. Matlins

6

Hardcover
48 offers from $3.49

Customers who bought this item also bought

Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1

This shopping feature will continue to load items. In order to navigate out of this carousel please use your heading shortcut key to navigate to the next or previous heading.

Stuart M. Matlins

11

Paperback
$19.99

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Many of us feel nervous when we receive an invitation to attend a wedding, bar mitzvah, funeral, or other religious ceremony in a denomination or religion with which we are unfamiliar. What will the ceremony be like? What should I wear? When do I kneel? When do I stand? In what should I not participate? What sort of gift is expected and when do I present it? After questioning religious centers and experts across the country, Magida and other staff of Jewish Lights have compiled this helpful and informative guide to the basic beliefs and ceremonial practices of the major Jewish and Protestant denominations, Roman Catholic, Greek Orthodox, Mormon, Christian Scientist, Muslim, Hindu, and Buddhist religions. While general etiquette books usually cover some religious etiquette, none covers it as extensively or in as much detail as this. A welcome addition to public library collections. Highly recommended.?Marcia Welsh, Guilford Free Lib., Ct.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Scientific American

At last: Help has arrived for the religiously challenged.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product details

Hardcover: 432 pages
Publisher: SkyLight Paths; 1st edition (November 1, 1995)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1879045397
ISBN-13: 978-1879045392
Product Dimensions: 6 x 1.5 x 9 inches
Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 11 customer reviews
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,664,567 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #1735 in Books > Reference > Etiquette > Etiquette Guides & Advice
- #4132 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Worship & Devotion > Ritual
- #6073 in Books > Reference > Encyclopedias & Subject Guides > Religion

Would you like to tell us about a lower price?
If you are a seller for this product, would you like to suggest updates through seller support?

Be the first video

Your name here

Try the Kindle edition and experience these great reading features:

See Kindle Edition

Customer reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars

5 star

4 star

3 star (0%)

2 star (0%)

1 star (0%)

Write a customer review

See all 11 customer reviews

Top customer reviews

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.

Alex

Answers questions you might not have even thought of

September 6, 2008

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

This book answers a wealth of questions about the meaning and purpose of some of the symbols, traditions, objects & expectations for SEVERAL major religions and many sects--and not just how to attend a particular place of worship, but what's expected if you're invited as a guest to an event at a person's house.

Each chapter focuses on one religion, and each chapter is arranged in the same order, covering a wide range of topics, including weddings, funerals, and proper attire (including which types are inappropriate and why!).

Reading this book has taught me a LOT about different peoples--the range of traditions covered truly is impressive.

One person found this helpful2 people found this helpful

Helpful

Comment

Hessie L. Harris

I bought the book as a Christmas gift for my ...

February 3, 2018

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

I bought the book as a Christmas gift for my niece who travels internationally. She was thrilled to have this valuable refernce/

One person found this helpful

Helpful

Comment

Bill from Florida

Very informative

January 23, 2010

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

The book is very informative. The book contains many little known facts concerning the religions of others. However, there was a mistake (missing taboo)in the book concerning the Jewish culture. This missing taboo in a culture that I am familiar with causes me to doubt some of the other cultures that are not as familiar.

One person found this helpful

Helpful

Comment

Kyle

Five Stars

March 1, 2016

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Absolutely perfect!

One person found this helpful

Helpful

Comment

Singing Mom

Concise Guide of Expectations for Unfamiliar Houses of Worship

October 11, 2013

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

My girls and I have visited several churches of other faiths as part of a study course. This book has been a marvelous help in knowing what to expect and how to conduct ourselves.

One person found this helpful

Helpful

Comment

moonribber

This appears to be a good reference

April 10, 2013

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

Haven't read but will dip in from time to time. I bought Vol. 2 as well so have a set!

One person found this helpful

Helpful

Comment

David Zampino

This book should be on the desk. . .

May 3, 2001

Format: Paperback

. . .of every member of the clergy in America. (As well as on a lot of other desks and bookshelves).
In the America of the 21st century, all of us have friends, relatives, etc. who practice their faith in different manners. Most of us will have occasion to attend services in houses of worship other than our own. This book is a guide on proper behavior under these circumstances.
As a Christian clergyman, I have personally have had occasion to attend service in almost every major American Christian denomination, as well as Jewish temple services. Most members of the clergy that I know are in similar positions. All of us are passionate about our own faith -- but none of us want to be accidentally offensive to others.
Some might ask, "Why should I be concerned about how to behave at someone else's religious service? I never expect to go. They don't worship the way I do. They don't believe in the same God that I believe in, etc." For persons with these attitudes, here are some points to consider:
1) You may be surprised at the type of service you find yourself. A wedding. A funeral. A christening. A Bar-Mitzpah. The list goes on.
2) There are certain situations in which NOT attending can cause MORE offense.
3) Put yourself in the shoes of another. Would you want your Jewish or Muslim co-worker to support YOU if YOU lost a loved one?
4) Showing respect to another, WITHOUT compromising your own beliefs is an excellent way to share your own faith.
The list goes on.
This book does not suggest in any way that anyone compromise their own beliefs. It does not attempt to convert or sway anyone to a different way of thinking. What it DOES do, and does very well, is provide, to an increasingly discourteous society, the minimal rules of courtesy that persons today are no longer routinely taught.
Courtesy is the oil that lubricates all social interactions. This book helps provide this service.

8 people found this helpful9 people found this helpful

Helpful

Comment

Amazon Customer

A great book on religious and cultural etiquette

July 17, 2001

Format: Hardcover

As someone who has majored in religion, and a long time seeker, this book has been sooo incedibly wonderful. This book, as well as Volume 2, explains what you can and can not do, what you should and should not do. For example, when it is respectful leave a ceremony, what you should wear, is photography permitted. It even briefly explains the ceremony. I found a few errors, however. The Hindu customs for an infant are a little mixed up, but 98% of the book is fabulous!

5 people found this helpful6 people found this helpful

Helpful

Comment

What other items do customers buy after viewing this item?

Paperback

Stuart M. Matlins

11

$19.99
Hardcover

Stuart M. Matlins

6
48 offers from $3.49

Buy New

$14.91

Turn on 1-Click ordering for this browser

Buy Used

$4.99

Turn on 1-Click ordering for this browser

Other Sellers on Amazon

How to Be a Perfect Stranger: The Essential Religious Etiquette Handbook Hardcover – November 1, 1995

Customers who viewed this item also viewed

Customers who bought this item also bought

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

From Scientific American

Product details

Related Video Shorts (0)

Be the first video

Try the Kindle edition and experience these great reading features:

Customer reviews

Top customer reviews

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.

Most recent customer reviews

What other items do customers buy after viewing this item?

Buy New $14.91

Turn on 1-Click ordering for this browser

Buy Used $4.99

Turn on 1-Click ordering for this browser

Sorry, there was a problem.

Sorry, there was a problem.

Other Sellers on Amazon

How to Be a Perfect Stranger: The Essential Religious Etiquette Handbook Hardcover – November 1, 1995

Customers who viewed this item also viewed

Customers who bought this item also bought

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

From Scientific American

Product details

Related Video Shorts (0)

Be the first video

Try the Kindle edition and experience these great reading features:

Customer reviews

Top customer reviews

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.

Most recent customer reviews

What other items do customers buy after viewing this item?

Buy New

$14.91

Buy Used

$4.99