Book Description
As featured in the New York Times and Reader's Digest "An eye-opener into the pitfalls awaiting the unaware traveler." -Washington Post "Can save the innocent abroad from great gobs of serious trouble." -Chicago Tribune Before you raise your hand to signal the waiter, extend your thumb to hitchhike, or flash the "O.K." sign with thumb and forefinger, Stop! Think of where you are and exactly what you are trying to say-otherwise you could create an international incident. Remember when President Bush thought he was flashing the "V" for Victory sign to cheering Australians? (See inside.) Exploring the ins and outs of body language from head to toe, this newly revised and expanded edition of Roger Axtell's indispensable guide takes you all around the world of gestures-what they mean, how to use them, and when to avoid them. This latest edition includes:
* Updates about the 200 most popular gestures and signals-and dozens of new examples
* New sections covering special gestures-from American Sign Language and tai chi to flirting and kissing
* Information to guide you through gestures country by country-from Switzerland to Japan, Nigeria to the Netherlands
* Amusing anecdotes and helpful hypothetical scenarios
Customer Reviews:
Covers everything you will need to know about gestures.......2007-04-08
Well, I was really blown away by this book, which seems to cover more things than I could have conceived! Well written, easy to understand, numerous drawings for us visual people so we have no doubt about what is being discussed, and a sense of humor too.
Although the book is over 200 pages in length, it was a quick read because of the easy format and interesting history behind why we do what we do when it comes to gesturing.
And for me, it brought back memories of places I have traveled to, and customs encountered. For instance, in India when the people you are talking to want you to know that they agree with you or that they are listening to you, they bob/nod their head quickly back and forth, left to right. At first you think they are indicating "no" or disagreeing with you. Had I bought the book before that trip, I wouldn't have been so confused!
Highly recommend this to anyone who travels a lot or for someone who just has an interest in customs around the world.
Strong Tips Here.......2004-11-28
Axtell vividly shows how common sense is NOT enough to get you through all social or business situations around the world. Travelers ignore Axtell at their own peril.
Interesting.......2004-01-27
This book is good to read in general terms as it attempted to explain the gestures from all around the world. Sometimes, it's amusing to read & at times, I would be loss for words as what I thought was the right things to do in certain countries is actually considered as rude or obscene. Perhaps, it's the kind of book that you can read in the plane or just as a matter of interest. The presentation is rather text book-ish with bullet points, occasional pictures to ease readers' boredom, something like a PowerPoint presentation. I guess that denotes the writer's background being a prominent guest speaker.
Useful, interesting and funny.......2001-11-20
This is a nice book. If you are going to travel abroad or you meet foreign people, you would like to know what these people understand from your body language. Of course, the book also gives you good material for chatting with friends from anywhere (including your own coutry).
Don't expect the book to tell you what a gesture means in every part of the world or to show you every gesture used in some part of the world. The book of course doesn't do such a hard task, though it tries: it explains you the gestures that are generalized (or most common) in a country. However, be always aware that there are exceptions and gestures you should know and are not included in the book.
Below are some questions you'll answer reading the book. In some cases the book gives you also the explanation about the gesture (what it comes from).
Where should you avoid the "OK sign"?
Where should a man enter before a woman?
Why Latin people get closer to you when talking?
How should you bow in Japan?
"Thumbs up!"(U.S.).......2001-11-04
Very helpful, amusing,well-organized, and no unnecessary information. For our diverse society, this is good to have on hand. connie338 shipped the book right away, too. Thanks!
Book Description
The ultimate guide to international behavior…now completely updated and expanded! Do's and Taboos Around the World 3rd Edition "Roger Axtell is an international Emily Post." —The New Yorker "Can help you make friends [and] avoid travel trouble." —BusinessWeek "Helpful…fun to read…" —Steve Birnbaum The first two editions of Do's and Taboos Around the World helped thousands of high-powered executives and tourists avoid the missteps and misunderstandings that plague the world traveler. This updated and expanded Third Edition provides even more facts, tips, and cautionary tales—gleaned from the experiences of more than five hundred international business travelers—as well as:
- Information on protocol, customs, and etiquette; hand gestures and body language; tipping; American jargon; and the international communications crisis
- Up-to-date advice on dealing with the monumental changes in Russia, Germany, Eastern Europe, the People's Republic of China, and other locales
- A new chapter on business gift-giving and gift-receiving customs, with country-by-country gift suggestions and precautions
- A special quick reference guide to customs and mores in 96 countries, including revisions and updates from foreign embassies and consulates
Customer Reviews:
not well researched.......2006-03-09
I am from Prague, Czech Republic, Europe.
In the books it says that our country lacks common things and that people will be grateful even for small gifts, such as ball-point pens etc since it is hard to get here.
I could not believe it when I have read it !
Did the author mix up Czech Republic with war-battered Cecnia or something ???
What a nonsence the statement in the book, even if it is from 1993 or whatever. You would look utterly ridiculous giving someone a pen. We actually have a subway, cars, shopping malls....its not like we live up in trees.
The author made CZ look like some third-world hunger stricken country. I do not trust him owith other countries since my country is so mis-judgingly described in the book.
Lots of fun and guidance.......2006-01-22
There is so much data stuffed into this book about so many cultures that its almost overwhelming! This is an impressive book covering many countries and most of the information is still current, despite the fact the last version was copywrited back in the 1990s.
I'd recommend this book for culture buffs as well as for general writers. A great source of ideas.
A Great Resource for International Travelers.......2004-04-12
The basis of this wonderful book is to show the customs, protocol and laws in societies that may be vastly different from the society in which you live.
The book is categorized according to country, and includes cartoon type illustrations of face gestures, hand and arm gestures, and what they mean. In some countries the same gesture has a completely different meaning, which anyone who uses a lot of body language would do well to learn.
The section on Graceful Gift Giving brings valuable insight so as not to insult anyone from different lands, as gift giving is viewed in different ways according to different cultures.
Whether you are going on a business trip, or are traveling for academics or adventure overseas, it is important to learn the customs of each country.
On a personal note, if you ever go to the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem, do NOT sit on the rock from which Mohammed Ascended (as I innocently did to pray for world peace) because you can be murdered or jailed for that alone - unless you happen to have a professor who is fluent in Arabic that saves you from harsh penalties, which I was fortunate enough to have. ASK about the Sacred sites in Sacred lands BEFORE you attempt to touch or sit on anything.
Do's and Taboos also provides commonly used terms spelled out phonetically from many lands, so that you can converse among the locals graciously.
Highly recommended for all international travelers.
Barbara Rose, Ph.D. author of Stop Being the String Along: A Relationship Guide to Being THE ONE and If God Was Like Man
Editor, inspire! magazine
advice for the business traveler, tourist, or EFL teacher.......2002-10-22
Doýs and Taboos Around the World was written in the mid-eighties for American businessmen who regularly traveled abroad meeting foreign clients. I bought this book to help teach culture shock to my Japanese EFL students, and, by and large, I am quite pleased that I have it on my shelf. Even though there is a lot less information about women than men, and some information, such as gift giving, appears to be specifically for business people, there is enough general information about many different countriesý cultures to make interesting reading. The chapter on body language and gestures appeared to be well researched, and my students were able to learn many things from teaching material that I made using the book as a reference. There may be some people who would read Doýs and Taboos and say that the author has distilled a nationýs people to a simple stereotype, and to a point I wouldnýt be able to disagree with that. However, if I ever found myself in the company of people whose culture I were ignorant of, it would be nice to be able to scan this book for doýs, taboos, likes and dislikes, and give myself a reasonable introduction on what I might be likely to encounter. This book is most useful for business travelers, but it is also useful for tourists and travelers, or anyone living in a culture other than their own.
Dos and Taboos.......2001-05-28
This title offered so much promise. I was really looking forward to reading it and ofcourse decided to start by checking the two countries I know really well, Australia and Japan. Well disappointment just isn't strong enough. How can you trust a book that makes major errors when talking about cultures that you know? Frankly, I can not recommend this book to anyone given the inaccurate out dated infomation I found in the two countries I know really well... Surely there are better books on foreign cultures than this. If not it is not suprizing that Americans have difficulty in understanding people from other countries!
Book Description
What Women Need to Know to Succeed in International Business
From meeting protocol and sexual harassment to dining and gift giving, the rules for conducting business abroad can be dramatically different from those at homeâand they can also vary from country to country. But with this indispensable resource, you'll have everything you need to successfully interact with your business counterparts, whether you're doing business in Caracas, Calcutta, or Copenhagen. Bestselling author Roger Axtell combines his 30 years of experience working abroad with the advice of three cross-cultural consultants to provide you with guidance and specific advice on:
- Survival âKnowing the culture, protocol, safety, and staying healthy
- Cultural differences âA country-by-country listing of the rules for proper dress, speech, table manners, etc.
- Climbing the career ladder âResources listing the best schools, courses, and language training, advice on finding mentors, and more
- Personal issues âDating rules in different cultures, balancing an international career and family life, dealing with harassment and discrimination
Customer Reviews:
Do's and Taboos Around the World for Women in Business .......2006-08-03
Interesting for young very unexperienced women.
Recipe for success?? --> Take action !!!.......2005-05-21
"Do's and Taboos Around the World for Women in Business" is a highly interesting book, and one that is likely to prove useful for women who need to travel abroad for business reasons. Moreover, it is quite engaging, due to the fact that the authors combine practical advice with funny anecdotes about women working in international business.
I recommend you to read the whole book, if you can, because at least some of the tips it gives might help to you. On the other hand, if you are pressed for time, just read the parts that interest you more. The book is neatly divided into chapters according to subjects:
-Part one: Survival "over there" (it includes -> 1: Sex, dating, discrimination and harassment; 2: Know your product, know the culture; 3: Protocol for women; 4: Safety when traveling; 5:Healthy traveling; 6: Luggage and packing; chapters 1 to 6).
-Part two: Advice country by country (it analyzes some countries in particular, but most are grouped and studied by regions; chapters 7 to 22).
-Part three: Women in the world of work (it includes -> 23: Women in international business: past, present and future; 24: How I got my first job in international business; 25: Profiles of three successful women; chapters 23 to 25).
-Part four: The international assignment (it includes -> 26: To go or not to go; 27: Preparing for your life abroad; 28: Family matters; 29: On-the-job challenges; 30: Culture shock; 31: Repatriation and reverse culture shock; 32: Cross-cultural and language training; chapters 26 to 32).
-Part five: Help for the independent businesswoman who wishes to work abroad (it includes -> 33: Tips for the independent career search).
-Part six: Additional resources.
Personally, I found some chapters more practical than others, for instance I took great advantage of the tips on what to pack ("You don't need more clothes, more colors, more combinations. You need fewer things, carefully chosen"), but I guess that depends on what each of us needs more.
On the other hand, bear in mind that even though the advice that the writers give is right on the spot in most occasions, that is not always the case. For example, they point out that punctuality isn't overly important in Latin American countries, but I'm from Argentina and I can say that many think that arriving late is rude, so if you were to arrive late to a business meeting just to "follow local custom", you would be giving a bad impression.
Notwithstanding that, I can tell you that I really liked this book. I specially enjoyed the fact that the authors take into account that "international business tends to be uncomfortable for most North American managers -men as well as women. Many have yet to develop cross-cultural experience, skills, perspective, and confidence". Their recipe for success?. Well, according to them "You can allay your doubts by taking action. To overcome negative attitudes toward women in international business you must assume the initiative and thoroughly prepare yourself".
On the whole, I found this book very useful, and I believe that it can be valuable not only for women in international business but also to those who need to travel abroad with their families due to their spouses' job. "Do's and Taboos Around the World for Women in Business" isn't a perfect book, but it is a very good one, and the kind of book you will want to carry with you around the world.
Belen Alcat
Do's and Taboo's.......2005-04-12
I thought that this book while touching on many areas of do's and taboos was very basic in it's approach...perhaps even juvenile or youngsterish...While I was looking for actual do's and don't this book often offered situational issues...rarely stating DON"TS and offering multiple choices instead of stating the real Do's in many cases. Good for young adults and young persons going into new countries. Older people probably want a guide that states the facts like: In this country..cover your head in public at all times..instead of choice 1-go buy a head scarf.....2 tear a part off your dress and make one ...3 go scarfless...4 scream loudly I'm an American and don't need it.
I was really looking for more depth and coverage from a experienced traveled business person on exactly what to do. Still a starting point for a new business traveler.
great exploration of gender equity issues.......2001-09-15
my middle school students have found this book useful because
it not only discusses gender issues in the world of business,
but also offers strategies how U.S. women can be successful in
cultures with even less equitable relations between the genders than our own country.
Outstanding Resource for Military Spouses on OCONUS Tours.......1999-06-27
Great information for preparing for an overseas tour. It includes a wealth of information, country-specific tips, wonderful checklists to help you prepare for the overseas tour, and an extensive reference list to continue your pre-travel research. It will alert you to cultural nuances at your destination so that you can be prepared to present yourself effectively and avoid possible embarrassment. If you plan to work (or even become involved in the native community abroad), I highly recommend this book-- it will ensure you are better prepared and confident, so you'll enjoy your overseas adventure.
Book Description
The Do's and Taboos series: over 600,000 satisfied readers-and counting!
"Roger Axtell is an international Emily Post."-The New Yorker
Roger Axtell's latest eye-opening guide to the pitfalls awaiting the business and leisure traveler is his funniest and most useful yet. Building on two invaluable ideas-"laughter has no accent" and "no matter where you travel in our world, there is one form of communication that is understood-the smile"-Axtell expertly combines fascinating business and leisure lore, more than 300 hilarious anecdotes, and loads of entertaining, invaluable advice on proper etiquette in dozens of countries. From embarrassing dining debacles to unintentionally lewd gestures, this delightful guide shows how to avoid cultural faux pas as you sidestep potential misunderstandings. If all else fails, always be ready to laugh at yourself!
Includes 26 whimsical illustrations by the award-winning cartoonist Mel Casson
* Discusses the often comical gaffes arising from differences between American English and the English spoken in Great Britain, Australia, and Canada
* Features dozens of cunning cognates, misinterpreted signs, unknowingly funny gestures, and business blunders to watch out for
* Helps travelers recognize the where, when, and how of using humor abroad
Customer Reviews:
Best Carry-On Item for Your Trips.......2006-11-10
A true must-have for international travelers or anyone venturing into a culture other than their own - the ultimate guide to leaving your "element" and environment - without forgoing your dignity. It is chock full of anecdotal, true stories of global business travelers and those on holiday. I literally laughed-out loud while reading this book. Passengers in my cabin scoffed at me in wonder, so I buried my face in the spine so the title could purposely be seen. Suffice to say, I may have boosted book sales from curiosity alone. I recommend this title for gifts, your library, or just to remain in your carry-on bag as it serves a great purpose for those perennially on the road. GET this book - available in softcover too!
more taboos than do........2003-03-25
This book is told, in a loose, style.The book repeats itself, from chapter,to chapter. and it`s more ho hum thanfunny. However, there are some lol,in this book, but they're a chore, to find. Axtell; fails to follow his own advice. "68% of your audience will quit listening, if you talk more than 20 minutes." This book is useful, for first time globe trotters, The lol chapter on cruising, is worth the price of the book.this book would've been better, if it include samples of lol jokes, from around the world.
Business Travel Humor by Roger E. Axtell.......2000-04-27
I read Mr. Axtell's book on use of humor in the international business environment with great interest. I also had quite a few good laughs doing that. I must confess, however, that I was a little disappointed by the fact that such a great deal of the anecdotes presented in this book have been circulating on the internet for a long time already.
This book is written for the American business people, and Mr. Axtell makes it clear. However, from the point-of-view of a "non-American" reader, there is a drawback attached: some of the anecdotes do not open up unless English--American English to be precise--is the reader's native language. He is left wondering what the point of the story was. Fortunately there are not many such instances.
This is not to say that you should not read this book if you are not an American. On the contrary, Mr. Axtell reveals, perhaps unintentionally, a useful insight into the mind of the average American commercial traveler who might be sitting next to you on an airplane, or on the opposite side of the negotiating table. Also, most of the book's content is sound advice applicable to any cross-cultural business situations.
Book Description
DO'S & DON'TS AROUND THE WORLD was written to guide foreign travelers and to spare them of mistakes that could embarrass them, hurt them, cost them money, land them in jail and ruin their trip abroad. The book describes hundreds of country-specific cultural and social do's and don'ts. The book contains separate listings for each country in the region. Information contained in the book came primarily from representatives and officials of the countries through an extensive world-wide questionnaire survey.
Book Description
"Roger Axtell is the international Emily Post."-The New Yorker
English has become the global language-the dominant language used in international trade, science, technology, and travel. But for most Americans, the potential for linguistic misunderstanding, confusion, and embarrassment when using English with nonnative speakers is greater now than ever. In this essential guide, veteran international businessman and raconteur Roger E. Axtell shows you how to use English successfully in any business or social context-and how to avoid making embarrassing or misleading statements to people who are trying to understand you. Inside you'll find:
* Valuable rules for making yourself understood when communicating with people from other cultures
* Dozens of amusing anecdotes that illustrate the potential trials and pitfalls of using American English around the world
* The important differences between American English and the English spoken in Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and South Africa
* Helpful advice on using interpreters and translators
* Special sections on communicating in English with speakers of other languages, including Japanese, German, French, and Italian
* Tips on telephone conversation and dangerous cognates
Book Description
DO'S & DON'TS AROUND THE WORLD was written to guide foreign travelers and to spare them of mistakes that could embarrass them, hurt them, cost them money, land them in jail and ruin their trip abroad. The book describes hundreds of country-specific cultural and social do's and don'ts. The book contains separate listings for each country in the region. Information contained in the book came primarily from representatives and officials of the countries through an extensive world-wide questionnaire survey.
Customer Reviews:
Disappointed.......2000-03-09
This book contains tables with activities, some very obscure, and check marks according to whether the activity is , Customary, Frowned upon or Illegal. Little, or no explanation is given. Some activities had obvious and serious errors (the writer suggested that it is customary to drink alcohol in public in Saudi Arabia!). There were enough other errors as well that I was aware of, to place the other information in the book under some cloud. The 'Lonely Planet' Guide to the Middle East contains better information.
I returned the book
Book Description
DO'S & DON'TS AROUND THE WORLD was written to guide foreign travelers and to spare them of mistakes that could embarrass them, hurt them, cost them money, land them in jail and ruin their trip abroad. The book describes hundreds of country-specific cultural and social do's and don'ts. The book contains separate listings for each country in the region. Information contained in the book came primarily from representatives and officials of the countries through an extensive world-wide questionnaire survey.
Book Description
DO'S & DON'TS AROUND THE WORLD was written to guide foreign travelers and to spare them of mistakes that could embarrass them, hurt them, cost them money, land them in jail and ruin their trip abroad. The book describes hundreds of country-specific cultural and social do's and don'ts. The book contains separate listings for each country in the region. Information contained in the book came primarily from representatives and officials of the countries through an extensive world-wide questionnaire survey.
Customer Reviews:
Save Your Money!!!!!.......2006-03-10
Don't waste your time or your money. This book does not live up to what it claims and is a waste of paper!!!!!
Big regret.......2003-03-05
I currently live in Germany and frequently travel to neighboring countries. I bought the book hoping I would learn some of the etiquette rules for these other countries, but was greatly disappointed. The check list style of what is ok and what isn't does not provide enough information and/or can be misinterpreted. Many customs need an explanation to be understood. After reading this book, I felt like I knew no more than I already did.
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General
| Business & Investing
| Subjects
| Books
Do's and Taboos Around The World (Do's and Taboos Around the World)
Kiss, Bow, or Shake Hands: How to Do Business in Sixty Countries
Do's and Taboos Around the World for Women in Business
Multicultural Manners: New Rules of Etiquette for a Changing Society
Do's and Taboos of Humor Around the World: Stories and Tips from Business and Life
