Series: Culture Smart!

The second-largest country in South America, Argentina has been through great changes in recent years. Its journey from dictatorship to democracy has left many scars, but these are largely eclipsed by the pride and resilience of the Argentinian people, who have developed a style, a language, and a joie de vivre that are all their own. Embracing much more than...

Culture Smart! Armenia explains how to avoid cultural gaffes when out and about in the country. Giving the historical, political, and cultural background, the guide reveals how to read body language and be aware of potential pitfalls in communication.

The historian Tadeusz Swietochowski calls Azerbaijan the quintessential borderland, many times over: between Europe and Asia, Islam and Christianity, Russia and the Middle East, Turks and Iranians, Shi'a and Sunni Islam. Although a relatively young country, having declared independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, the culture of its predominately Azeri population stretches back through a colourful history of over...

Bangladesh - Culture Smart! offers an insightful overview of a lush, green country situated on the fertile Ganges delta, adjacent to the Indian state of West Bengal. Despite having hilly areas in the northeast, Bangladesh is mostly flat and criss-crossed by numerous rivers. Its coastline hosts parts of the world's largest mangrove forests, the Sundarbans, home to the Royal Bengal...

Don't just see the sights—get to know the people. Belgium has somehow acquired the reputation of being Europe's most boring country—a reputation that is entirely undeserved. But perhaps this bland image is a smokescreen, the conventional exterior hiding a subversive sense of humour, a surreal imagination, and a deep-rooted disdain for authority. Or perhaps it is a camouflage, a way...

Often called the Land of the Thunder Dragon, Bhutan was secluded for much of its history. Its towering mountains and lush green valleys were virtually unvisited, evoking a sense of mystery and wonder. Culture Smart! Bhutan will give you a deeper insight into the country's history, values, customs, and age-old traditions. It highlights changes in people's attitudes and behaviour as...

For many people, Brazil conjures up images of football, Carnaval, and fine coffee, but it's much more than beaches and bossa nova. If we could choose only one word to describe Brazil, it would be diversity. The variety of lifestyles, ethnic groups, landscapes, and climate is simply enormous. Jeitinho is how Brazilians deal creatively with life's everyday complications. Literally translated...

Don't just see the sights—get to know the people. Britain is emerging from a decade of historic change. A Scottish bid for independence saw the relationship of the four nations evolve, and the passing of the world's longest-serving monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, marked the end of an era. Today, as the post-Brexit, post-Covid dust settles, the country is having to...

Don't just see the sights—get to know the people. Say "Cambodia," and two associations often come to mind: the lost glories of Angkor, and the horrors of the Khmer Rouge. Any understanding of Cambodia today, however, must embrace these opposites, as well as the changing attitudes within the country caused by something of a demographic revolution—today, close to seventy percent...

Don't just see the sights—get to know the people. Many tourists visit the Czech Republic knowing no more about it than that the beer is cheap and the women beautiful. That lack of knowledge has led to frustration among Czechs, most of whom are very well-informed about the world around them. Czech Republic - Culture Smart! informs you about the...

Georgia - Culture Smart! offers an insightful exploration of Georgia, a small Caucasian country that lies between Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and the Middle East, on the southeastern shore of the Black Sea. This strategically significant nation has long played a crucial role in global geopolitics, finding itself at the crossroads of different civilizations. Its location is both a curse...

When you enter Greece's mountainous peninsula, with its long coastline and unique archipelago, you are returning to the cradle of Western civilization. And while the ancient Greeks fashioned our political, ethical, aesthetic, and scientific values, their descendants down the ages have continued to set trends and shape world events. The Greek character is a product of the landscape. Surrounded by...

Don't just see the sights—get to know the people. At first sight, modern-day Egypt is an unruly and chaotic place: a cacophony of sounds, an overload of smells, and a swirling visual feast. Ancient church domes and medieval minarets share the same space with fast-food chains and chic air-conditioned cafes. Egyptian society has undergone dramatic changes in recent years, yet...

India's huge population of 1.2 billion is as varied and colourful as the spice markets of Old Delhi. Each region, caste, and community has its own culture, reflecting unique histories shaped by conquest, creativity, and religion. Steeped in ancient traditions, exceptionally fatalistic, and intensely passionate about their culture, Indians are also ingenious, creative world leaders in cutting-edge science and technology....

Most guidebooks on Ireland will tell you where to stay and what to see. Culture Smart! Ireland is written for people who want to know more and go deeper. Here you will find the beliefs and attitudes of the Irish, their rich musical and literary culture, their ancient language and mythology, the values they live by, how they do business,...

Providing information not found in standard guides about daily interactions, cultural dos and don'ts, etiquette, and the ways business is conducted, Culture Smart! Israel marks the nation's 70th year of independence in a concise cultural guide. This book enables readers to get to the heart of this diverse, dynamic, and paradoxical country, helping you make the most of your visit....

The French are different. You'll often hear this in conversations among the "Anglo-Saxons," as the French like to call English-speakers. Different means charming, challenging, questioning, stylish, and doing things in their own way and to their own advantage. By looking at the attitudes and values of the French, and explaining how French life and business works, Culture Smart! France shows...

Italy delights and stimulates with its magnificent cities and monuments, stunningly beautiful landscapes, glorious art and architecture, rich food, elegant design and fashion, and charming people. Italian style and culture have been exported all over the world. At home, however, Italian society and politics are facing challenges as the country struggles to maintain its standard of living, the stability of...

The Japanese people have always seen themselves as a nation uniquely apart. Their exquisite art forms, elegant culture, military prowess, and technological precision have long been the envy of friend and foe alike. Today, even as Japan adapts to a rapidly changing world, its traditional culture and consensus-based philosophy have proved remarkably resilient. Culture Smart! Japan will broaden your perception...

Germany - Culture Smart! by Barry Tomalin explores Germany, the powerhouse of Europe and a pillar of the Eurozone, which feels reassuringly familiar. However, despite superficial appearances, this is a country that operates very differently from the USA and Britain. German history spans more than a thousand years, and the relatively new German nation-state encompasses an astonishing variety of cultural...

Culture Smart! Kenya provides a cultural bridge that will carry you beyond the gloss of the hotels and deep into the warp and weft of everyday life; beyond the game parks and into the intricacies of community and wildlife coexistence; beyond the bounds of tourism and into the freedom of cultural understanding and exchange. A true "insider's take," gleaned over...

Mongolia - Culture Smart! introduces readers to a nation landlocked between its neighbours, China and Russia, in the heart of Asia. For centuries after the disintegration of Genghis Khan's empire, Mongolia was ruled by one or the other of these powerful neighbours. However, in 1990, the Mongols embraced democracy. Now, after two centuries of Manchu stagnation and seventy years of...

Don't just see the sights—get to know the people. Morocco is a joy to the senses. Graced with spectacular scenery, the country's rich history is carved into its architecture and baked into its cuisine. Its marketplaces are filled with tantalising scents and colourful sights, and the call of the muezzin seems to draw people from every corner of the globe....

Providing information not found in standard guides about daily interactions, cultural dos and don'ts, etiquette, and the ways business is conducted, Culture Smart! Norway steers you through the social and professional encounters of your visit to this new culture. By deepening your understanding, it will enable you to establish real friendships and business partnerships. Tips on meeting and communicating make...

Kazakhstan - Culture Smart! explores one of the largest countries on earth, a nation that was long hidden from the rest of the world behind the Iron Curtain. After gaining independence from the Soviet Union in the early 1990s, Kazakhstan remained unnoticed among the Central Asian 'stans.' However, in the ensuing twenty years, it has emerged as a modern state...

Arriving in Panama, the broad cultural and ethnic diversity of this small country is one of its most outstanding and attractive attributes, and is reflected in its many customs. There is not just the beauty of the countryside to be discovered, but the variety of regional and local ways of life. Panama has preserved much of its indigenous Indian culture...

Don't just see the sights—get to know the people. The Philippines may appear to be one of the most Westernised countries in Asia. However, the realities of Filipino life are complex; the facade of the English language does not run deep. Culture Smart! Philippines gives you the inside story of this unique and attractive country and unpacks the daily lives...

Have a more meaningful and successful time abroad through a better understanding of the local culture. Chapters on values, attitudes, customs, and daily life will help you make the most of your visit, while tips on etiquette and communication will help you navigate unfamiliar situations and avoid faux pas. Culture Smart! guides provide travellers with vital information about the values...

Don't just see the sights—get to know the people. Legend has it that when Caesar's general arrived on Portuguese soil in the first century CE, he claimed to have discovered a country blessed with a mild climate and a beautiful coastline, but whose inhabitants were ungoverned and ungovernable. Today, the Portuguese are still impulsive, set in their ways, and resistant...

Slovenians retain an understated and understandable pride in their country, which is why they are delighted to show it off to visitors. Over the centuries, the area has belonged to many kingdoms and regimes, and until Slovenians gained independence in 1991, they had sat back and watched the mighty rise and fall. As far as nationhood goes, their golden age...

Divided along the 38th parallel, modern Korea is the subject of two very different political, social, and economic experiments. Today the military might of the Marxist-Leninist North confronts the soft power and prosperity of the uber-capitalist South, yet family and cultural ties bind the peoples of both Koreas, and reunification remains a cherished goal. Korea - Culture Smart! helps you...

Don't just see the sights—get to know the people. Sweden is a strikingly beautiful country with a reverence for the natural environment. Its extremes in geography, climate, and history have given rise to a population that values honesty, self-sufficiency, and harmony. Swedes are a rights-driven, modern, and tech-savvy people who also retain a deep respect for their own cultural legacy....

Set aside your preconceptions of postcard scenery, chocolate, cheese, faceless bankers, and spotless cities. The real Switzerland is anything but bland. This small, multilingual, and fiercely independent country in the heart of Europe is full of surprises. Culture Smart! Switzerland reveals the human dimension of this enigmatic country. It provides a historical overview, explores Swiss values and attitudes, and looks...

After years in comparative isolation, Libya is opening up again. Its relations with the rest of the world have now improved, and with the lifting of sanctions, it is likely that more outsiders will have a chance to visit it both for business and for pleasure. To many, the country and its people are an enigma. It is an Arab...

Don't just see the sights—get to know the people. New Zealand, or Aotearoa (the "Land of the Long, White Cloud") as it is known by the Māori population, is a land of myth and reality, contrast and contradiction, rolling hills and glacial mountains, native bush and gentle farmland. Its people are friendly and welcoming and will often go the extra...

The Republic of Trinidad and Tobago comprises two Caribbean islands and several islets off the coast of Venezuela. The vast majority of the population live on Trinidad, a former colony with a history of shifting ownership between Spain, France, the Netherlands, and England. As a melting pot of multiculturalism, Trinidad bursts into vibrant expression each February during the celebration of...

Don't just see the sights - get to know the people. At first glance, Turkey may seem Westernised and entirely "modern" - but appearances can be misleading. It is above all a land of contrasts, a heady mixture of Oriental etiquette and ultramodern city life, deep-rooted religious faith and determined secularism, a fierce sense of national pride and openness to...

One of the most complex countries in Latin America, and one of the least understood, Venezuela is vast, and never dull. Its unique culinary traditions, linguistic quirks, colourful history, and busy annual cycle of festivities are part of a rich cultural heritage left by the Spanish conquistadors and the slaves brought from Africa, combined with elements that can be traced...

Vietnam is one of the most fascinating destinations in Southeast Asia. Having emerged from two decades of war, it has undergone a period of rapid and far-reaching change, and its people have their eyes fixed firmly on the horizon. Culture Smart! Vietnam is for those who want to learn about the traditional values, sensibility, and modern life of the Vietnamese....

Culture Smart! Zambia offers the reader a glimpse behind the tourist panorama of unspoilt nature and the busy urban life, luxury hotels, shopping malls, and rush-hour bottlenecks of Zambia's big cities. It paints a vivid picture of the psyche of a people who have been shaped by their geography and history. Zambia is a scenic utopia with a stunning landscape...

Indonesia - Culture Smart! explores the diverse and rich culture of Indonesia, a nation that stretches across three time zones and is strategically located on one of the world's major maritime trade routes. This guide reveals how modern Indonesians perceive themselves and conduct their daily lives, offering practical advice on navigating unfamiliar situations and interacting effectively with locals. Equipped with...

The third-largest country in Latin America, Mexico is hugely diverse, having both rural backwaters where time seems to have stood still and manic urban centres like Mexico City, one of the most densely populated and exciting cities in the world. This complex and fascinating country is where European and American civilizations first clashed. The repercussions of the meeting in 1519...

For thousands of years, the Chinese believed that they had created a perfect social system based on Confucian values, tempered by the Mandate of Heaven. Dynasties came and went, but the essence of being Chinese remained essentially unchanged until the twentieth century. Since then, change has taken place in Chinese society at an unprecedented speed, as the country first experienced...

Don't just see the sights—get to know the people. Malaysia presents visitors with an exciting and fascinating medley of cultures—Malay, Chinese, Indian, Arab, Eurasian, Dayak, and aboriginal. Though very much a modern nation state, its diverse communities retain a considerable amount of their unique heritage. In its customs, religions, festivals, costume, cuisine, languages, and architecture, Malaysian society perfectly illustrates the...

Uzbekistan - Culture Smart! is a fascinating exploration of a country inhabited by kind, open, and hospitable people. It deserves to be better known in the world. Although some progress has been made in this regard, Uzbekistan is often still presented as a glamorous Oriental place, which is understandable. Of course, tiled minarets, bright shawls, and hot flatbreads are exotic...

Culture Smart! Denmark introduces you to the Danish people and the values they hold dear. Mention Denmark and some people will think of marauding Vikings with horned helmets, looting and pillaging their way across Europe. Others may think of one of Denmark's more famous exports, Carlsberg beer, or the fairy tales of Hans Christian Andersen. But of the Danes themselves...

Iran - Culture Smart! explores the enchanting yet often misunderstood nation of Iran. The name itself shimmers with mystique and allure, and until recently, Iran has seemed inaccessible and isolated. However, the country is now opening its doors to visitors and business more than ever before, making a journey to this land of ancient heritage and traditions both tempting and...

Culture Smart! Colombia will help you to understand the complex and often contradictory nature of the Colombian people, why they think and behave as they do, and will show you how you can blend in with these fun-loving, self-reliant individualists. As a result of the sixteenth-century Spanish conquest, modern Colombia's multiethnic society is a synthesis of Spanish, indigenous, and African...

Don't just see the sights—get to know the people. Never conquered by foreigners, this proud and ancient land has been shaped by Buddhism, the monarchy, and the military. Today it is a manufacturing powerhouse and a tourist paradise that welcomes more than 30 million visitors a year. Yet despite the veneer of Western modernity, the country and its people remain...

Don't just see the sights—get to know the people. The Sultanate of Oman, long regarded as one of the more mysterious countries of the Arabian Peninsula, is finally getting more of the attention it so deserves. An ancient land with a rich history and dramatic landscapes, Oman was largely cut off from the modern world until the accession to the...

The people of this land of white summer nights and pristine lakes are famous for their sisu, a form of enterprising stoicism. They are survivors; if you were stranded on a desert island, your ideal companion would be a Finn. Before you knew it, the sauna would be ready, the fishhooks positioned, a fire burning, and any edible berries picked...

Bosnia & Herzegovina - Culture Smart! offers a window into a country of contradictions, where East meets West, and multiple ideologies blend into a vibrant, diverse culture. While many aspects of daily life here might seem familiar to Western visitors, certain differences can be quite startling. Bosnia is a unique fusion of various influences: religious values, communist secularism, Western attitudes,...

For a nation of around 1.3 million inhabitants, Estonia has made a real impression on the world stage since regaining its independence less than two decades ago. In the mid-1980s, it was known, if at all, as a Soviet backwater, but the collapse of Communism saw the emergence of a republic determined to make up for lost time and establish...

Nestling in the foothills of the Himalayas, Nepal is a land of contrasts and incongruities— not least in the variety of its cultural, ethnic, and religious weave. The Nepalese attitude to life is essentially religious. Hindu and Buddhist values predominate and help to maintain social harmony despite the divisions between rich and poor, urban and rural, highlands and lowlands. Culture...

Offering invaluable information and illustrations to help travellers understand a country's people and avoid cultural faux pas, Netherlands - Culture Smart! takes readers beyond the stereotypical images of windmills, clogs, and tulips. This pocket-sized guide helps visitors understand the complex layers of identity in this small, densely populated country on Europe's northwestern seaboard. With roots as a maritime nation that...

Australia - Culture Smart! offers an engaging insight into a unique and vast island-continent. Australia stands out with its immense distances, so much so that Perth, the capital of Western Australia, is closer to Singapore than to Sydney. This remarkable land hosts stunning tropical rainforests, massive deserts equalling the size of several European states, and temperate zones that nurture a...

The country is besieged by bad news, but despite the political turmoil, the everyday life of its people is more stable, rich, and rewarding than the media headlines would lead you to believe. A myriad local festivals and celebrations and a vibrant cultural life go unremarked. Pakistan has the eighth-largest standing army in the world and is the only Muslim-majority...

Discovering the Russian soul is like opening a matryoshka, a Russian doll, and revealing the many layers. The Russian Orthodox religion is unique, Russian history is tragic, and the people are unpredictable. Russia's military and political power, as well as the rich contribution of its art and culture, are the result of an inner dynamic not always understood by outsiders....

Singapore - Culture Smart! reveals the unique blend of cultures and identities in a nation of immigrants. Although the Chinese are by far the largest ethnic group, Singapore is more of a salad bowl than a melting pot. Since gaining independence in 1965, a common identity has emerged, uniting its people. Without natural resources, Singapore invested in education and trade,...

Culture Smart! Sri Lanka outlines this fascinating island-nation's rich and complex history, revealing the forces that have shaped its sensibility and development over the years. This book guides you through the beliefs, attitudes, and customs of the people you will meet, providing practical advice on how best to proceed in unfamiliar situations. Known as the pearl of the Indian Ocean,...