culture

Faux Pas and Feminism: Navigating France as a millennial Brit

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The vibrancy and electricity of this Monday at midnight made an English Friday night look bland by comparison.

In an account of my relocation to Montpellier in the South of France, I tackle everything from first encounters to feminism on the other side of the Channel.

Top tip number 1 for moving abroad:  When arriving alone, at midnight, with three suitcases, DO check which Hotel Ibis your reservation is at before you land.

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Wednesday Wanderlust – 10 Values and Attitudes of the Balkans

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The Balkan Peninsula takes its name from the Balkan Mountains that stretch all the way from the Serbian-Bulgarian border to the Black Sea. Located in South Eastern Europe, the exact definition of the Balkans is often disputed.  Nevertheless, the countries that either entirely or partially lay within its borders are diverse in their culture and attitudes. To get you started, here’s 10 key values from across the region taken straight from our guides:

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Wednesday Wanderlust: 10 values and attitudes of Eastern Europe

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Eastern Europe has some wonderful landscapes and people – here are ten cultural facts taken straight from our CultureSmart! Guides on Eastern Europe.

Armenia

1.

‘Names beginning with a first name and ending with –ian or –yan are indications of the father’s first name. Diasporans tend to use –ian, while Armenians use –yan. For example, Davidian is the son of David, and Krikorian is the son of Krikor or Gregor. Typically, first names were taken from the bible, so many last names have a religious origin.’

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New Title Announcement – Culture Smart! HUNGARY (Jan 2018)

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Culture Smart! Hungary: The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture.

A landlocked country in the heart of Europe, Hungary was a powerful medieval kingdom. Intimately involved in European history and culture, the Hungarians have always been proud of their distinctive identity, reinforced by the fact that their language bears no resemblance to that of any of their neighbors.

Today, following the collapse of Communism, Hungarians feel part of Central Europe again, the Europe of science, culture, and civic virtue, of gem-like Baroque churches and 19th century schools, town halls, barracks, and railway stations. This beautiful and beguiling land is home to the magnificent city of Budapest on the banks of the Danube, to the largest lake in central Europe, and to charming spa towns and hot springs. Hungarian openness and hospitality have been tested by the migrant crisis on Europe’s doorstep, and the rise of populist parties.

 After setting the context in a brief historical overview, Culture Smart! Hungary offers practical advice and important insights into different aspects of Hungarian life today, to help deepen your understanding and appreciation of this complex and talented people. 

Author Bio:

Brian Mclean and Kester Eddy are British writers who have both lived in Budapest for many years. Each brings specialist knowledge to the book, the former in Hungarian history and culture and the latter in political and economic affairs.

Culture Smart! Hungary: The essential guide to customs & culture.

ISBN 978-1-857-33868-3
TRADE PAPER, £7.99; (UK) £7.99; (US/CA) $11.99/$15.99
ALSO AVAILABLE IN E-BOOK
PUBLICATION DATE: JANUARY 2018
PUBLISHED BY KUPERARD

Wednesday Wanderlust – 10 Values and Attitudes of West and Southern Africa

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Are you vising the West or Southern African regions soon? Check out these 10 values and attitudes straight from our guides.

Photo credit: www.pixabay.com

Ghana

1. The significance of greetings is probably the most important rule of etiquette that a visitor should learn and observe. For example if you walk into a house, workplace, meeting, or a past a friend or neighbour on the street without saying hello, it is viewed as a direct insult.

2. You’re not allowed to leave a Ghanaian’s home without a full belly. A good host will arrange beforehand for your favourite food to be prepared but whatever you get, be sure to obey the cook’s order of “Eat all!”

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New Title Announcement – Culture Smart! GREECE (Jan 2018)

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Culture Smart! Greece: The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture.

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 sea on three sides, the physical features of the land forged the pronounced individuality and strong local patriotism of the warring city-states of antiquity. Their shared history and language formed the basis of a powerful world culture. Today it is coming to terms with its recent economic and political upheavals. The Greeks have repeatedly proved they can adjust and shift their expectations—the new generation knows the old ways have gone and is bracing itself for unpredictable challenges.

Culture Smart! Greece will equip you with essential information about the background, values, and attitudes of the people you will meet and give practical advice on how to deal with unfamiliar situations. Life in Greece operates on many criss-crossing levels, offering plenty of possibilities and a variety of lifestyles. Visitors emerge from their Greek experience enriched for life, with an enduring affection for this beautiful land and its gifted people.

Author Bio:

Constantine Buhayer is an Anglo-Greek broadcaster, country analyst, and specialist in Greek and Balkan affairs. He has worked as a producer for the BBC and CBS, and he is a regular commentator on television and radio.

Culture Smart! Greece: The essential guide to customs & culture.

ISBN: 978-1-857-33870-6
TRADE PAPER; (UK) £7.99; (US/CA) $11.99/$15.99
ALSO AVAILABLE IN E-BOOK
PUBLICATION DATE: JANUARY 2018
PUBLISHED BY KUPERARD

 

Wednesday Wanderlust – 10 Values and Attitudes of Central Europe

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Home to some of the best beers in the world, Central Europe is one of the most culturally rich regions to explore. Check out these 10 values and attitudes straight from our guides!

  Czech Republic 

Photo credit: www.pixabay.com

  1. It is the reserved nature of the Czechs that visitors may notice at first, however emotion in speech is hard to gauge as Czechs speak in low tones and with a minimum of inflection.
  2. Czech has fewer names considered to be “acceptable”. Parents must submit the names they are planning to give to their child to a sort of ‘name police’ – a government bureaucrat – to determine whether the name is suitable. So you’ll probably meet more than one Petra, Jans, Zdeněk or Palvas. Czechs also do not use middle names so finding the proper for example; Radek Dolezal will be a challenge!

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Title Announcement – Culture Smart! Hong Kong (Jan 2018)

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Culture Smart! Hong Kong: The essential guide to customs & culture.

Visitors marvel at Hong Kong’s breathtaking location, its amazing architecture, its exciting shopping, and its fine dining. And yet it is a land of opposites—of order juxtaposed with chaos, of ancient etiquette and seemingly abrupt manners, a place where rich and poor live in close proximity.

Culturally, Hong Kong is rooted in the traditions of China, but there is more than a patina of Westernization. And despite stiff competition, it remains the principal international financial center in China. Hong Kong has more holidays than anywhere in the world, and most are celebrated in the streets or parks.

Culture Smart! Hong Kong introduces the reader to this vibrant, multifaceted society. It provides helpful advice and cultural insights on business practice and social etiquette. Published in January 2018, it is available in North America through IPG.

Author Bios:

Vickie Chan is a writer, illustrator/artist, and creative director, who has written for the South China Morning Post, China Daily, Gafencu magazine, and more.

Clare Vickers has a degree in modern languages, has written several dictionaries and textbooks for Hong Kong schools, and had a column in the educational section of the South China Morning Post.

Culture Smart! Hong Kong: The essential guide to customs & culture.

ISBN: 978-1-857-33869-0
TRADE PAPER: (UK) £7.99; (US/CA) $11.99/$15.99
PAGES: 168, SIZE: 169 x 110 mm
ALSO AVAILABLE IN EBOOK
PUBLICATION DATE: JANUARY 2018
PUBLISHED BY KUPERARD