Culture Smart Travel Guides

To quote the publisher of this series of travel guides: "Culture Smart! guides are written for people who want more than just the nuts and bolts of where to stay, what to see, and how to travel. Short, sharp and humorous, they deal with the richly rewarding human dimension of foreign travel by telling you about the beliefs and attitudes of the people you will meet and about situations you may encounter. They help you to understand what makes people tick, the values they live by, and the kind of behavior that will be reciprocated with goodwill and hospitality.

Each guide includes chapters on the local customs, traditions and values of the country's inhabitants, and crucially, the key historical and cultural events that have shaped the national psyche. There are sections on social and business etiquette, tips on communication, both verbal and non-verbal, and advice on how to be a good guest.

For us, the idea of traveling overseas and operating in a foreign culture without an understanding of its idiosyncrasies, quirks, and taboos is a bit like watching a movie in black and white: a little bit of insider knowledge and cultural know-how won't just help you to make sense of what you’re seeing, it will enrich the experience to full color."