Product Description
Culture Smart! provides essential information on attitudes, beliefs and behavior in different countries, ensuring that you arrive at your destination aware of basic manners, common courtesies, and sensitive issues. These concise guides tell you what to expect, how to behave, and how to establish a rapport with your hosts. This inside knowledge will enable you to steer clear of embarrassing gaffes and mistakes, feel confident in unfamiliar situations, and develop trust, friendships, and successful business relationships.

Culture Smart! offers illuminating insights into the culture and society of a particular country. It will help you to turn your visit-whether on business or for pleasure-into a memorable and enriching experience. Contents include


* customs, values, and traditions
* historical, religious, and political background
* life at home
* leisure, social, and cultural life
* eating and drinking
* do's, don'ts, and taboos
* business practices
* communication, spoken and unspoken


"Culture Smart has come to the rescue of hapless travellers." Sunday Times Travel

"... the perfect introduction to the weird, wonderful and downright odd quirks and customs of various countries." Global Travel

"...full of fascinating-as well as common-sense-tips to help you avoid embarrassing faux pas." Observer

"...as useful as they are entertaining." Easyjet Magazine

"...offer glimpses into the psyche of a faraway world." New York Times
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Customer Reviews (3)

Fantastic book
I bought this book along with several other books for a month-long trip to Denmark. I was staying with four families that I had never met, rather than staying in hotels, and I wanted to make sure I knew the proper etiquette. I found the information in this book to be spot-on, and very helpful. This is definately the book to purchase if you want to know more about the people of Denmark.

Disappointing
This is the first critical review that I have ever left on Amazon.com.It is not one that I take lightly.

I purchased this book, and have read through it.It has proven an extreme disappointment.I anticipated an in-depth understanding of Danish culture and mannerisms.Instead, the book is pedantic; it glazes over topics with massive generalizations.Also, I was a bit surprised by a perceived political 'bent' in the book -- indeed, it appeared that the author was rather judgmental on a number of socio-economic aspects of Danish life.

This is the type of book that you would expect to find hyped in the 1950s -- short on content/information, short on a perceived, unbiased perspective.I found little useful information of use on "customs and etiquette."A travel book from a noteworthy company (such as Fodders, Rick Steves, Lonely Planet, Frommers, etc.) would likely provide you as much, if not vastly more, relevant information for your trip to Denmark.

Again, this was not easy for me to write.Simply, I felt such disappointment with the book that I felt it necessitated a critical comment.

simply the best of its kind on the market - Danish Culture
INTRO:
I recently purchased this book (pocket size) for myself as I am getting ready to visit and meet my fiance's relatives in Denmark (Danmark in dansk; DK for short).I have been trying to educate myself on what it means/feels/encompases to be Danish (important for myself and future family) and have been reading up online (wikipedia, visitdenmark - the official tourist site, etc.) and talking with friends and loved ones.This was the best book as such that I could find and understand & learn more about Danes (and their uniqueness apart from the rest of Scandinavia).

AUTHOR (from the little insert prologue):
Mark Salmon grew up in Ireland, is a Jurist and Educator.Has an M.A. in English Literature, and immigrated to Denmark in 1998, where he workds as a TEFL teacher specializing in Business English, and as a translator and cultural consultant.Has also traveled extensively throughout DK and Europe.

CONTENT:
The book is well organized (logical fashion), with a lot of information (relevant or trivia, but very contemporary) that is VERY UP TO DATE and outlined in the following chapters:

1) Land and People
2) Values and Attitudes
3) Customs and Traditions
4) Making Friends
5) The Danes at Home
6) Time Out
7) Travelling
8) Business Briefing
9) Communicating

While perusing the book before buying it, there were a few things that stood out and confirmed the worth of spending the money:
* very relevant and contemporary information on the CULTURE and CUSTOMS of Danes and Denmark today.
* very well written prose (not infused by impression and personal opinions, but rather of concrete observations and well-rounded living experience in Danish society).
* fun to read (each chapter has numerous sub-sections that are terse yet with a lot of condensed and relevant information).

CONCLUSION:
If you are interested in understanding the peculiar culture/life/identity of Danish or their countryland (apart from the rest of Scandinavia) shop no more.This booklet will save you money, time, and is also very entertaining.The Danes seem to have created a fairytale land for themselves.Learn how. (for my travels I'm going to supplement it with Frommer's guide, and Eyewitness Travel Guide on Danmark. ... Read more

Product Description

A Survival Guide to Customs and Etiquette in Denmark

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Introduces the geography, history, economics, culture, and people of the Mediterranean country of Denmark. ... Read more

Product Description
You'll never feel intimidated and awkward about the customs and etiquette of another country again. With the insights provided in this CULTURE SHOCK! Guide, you'll learn to see beyond the stereotypes and misinformation that often precede a visit to a foreign land. Whether you plan to stay for a week or for a year, you'll benefit from such topics as understanding the rules of driving and monetary systems, religious practices and making friends. There are tips on political traditions, building business relationships, and the particular intricacies of setting up a home or office.Great for the business traveler, the foreign exchange student, or the tourist who makes a sincere attempt to cross the bridge into a new and exciting culture. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (12)

Terrible!
This book was a terrible introduction to Denmark and the Danes, primarily because it was soooo negative!When I arrived in Denmark I found the Danes to be nothing like the ogres described in this book.I did, however, give the book two stars because there are some good things in there about the government and history.Choose another book as yourintroduction to Denmark!

some good advice, but disdain for dk permeates text
I'm an American who lived in DK for a time and am returning. I thought the book would help because I had some problems previosly adjusting to danish culture. For example, it took me a long time to realize that cultural traits such as no customer service, the lack of polite words in the language itself and the general shyness of people wasn't personal. (i actually hated some things) But this author goes so far as to hate every aspect of danish culture to the point where it becomes a distraction. He hates the people, the weather, the countryside, the government, tax. At the end of the book he leaves the country because he couldn't adjust. So, don't expect this book to help you adjust and don't take the text that seriously. The author has a very skewed, seeming angry perspective of DK (even from my pov as someone with a few grudges against the country...I found myself taking the danish side) It may be helpful still to have a basic overview and it gives some advice on where to look for a job, orgs to contact for help, ect. Overall the book was slightly useful but some of it is untrue and prejudiced.

Interesting, but more discouraging than insightful.
I purchased this book prior to moving to Denmark from the US.This was the second Culture Shock book which I purchased and I have been disappointed with both books.Overall, I find the Culture Shock series to present the worse stereotypes of a culture.Some people may find these stereotypes to be true, but I certainly have not experienced all of the difficulties which the author has described.The author is Danish, but has returned to Denmark after living in Asia for a good number of years.You will find the author lamenting about such things as not being able to find someone to wire his stereo for him which he blames on the Danish mind of being self sufficient.I do think that the author does have some valuable insights into the Danish culture, particularly the welfare state.However, overall I found the advice to be discouraging rather than useful and not indicative of what I have experience during my past year and a half in Denmark.I would recommend referencing one of the guide books such as Rough Guide or Lonely Planet instead.

Culture Shock Denmark
I read Culture Shock Denmark! I thought this book was boring but I think this book would be good for people that want to travel to Denmark. It talks about how to live in Denmark and how to communicate. it talks how good the jobs and how to get into them.
The reason why I thought this book was boring was because I wasn't getting into the book. I would rather read a story book about denamrk. This book only had facts about it but if you really want to know how people are in denmark this would be a good book. This book would also be a really good book it you are doing research on Denmark.

VERY VERY GOOD
The only reason I did not give this book 5 stars is because I would have enjoyed more pictures.But that is my own personal preference.I am moving to Denmark soon and marrying a Dane.This book was fabulous!My husband-to-be would TELL me things about Denmark; The Law of Jante, the no-nonsense way they provide service, and the humanitarian attitude for all people, but I didn't really understand it as being universal until reading this book.It enlightened me and I am extremely grateful that I found this book and read it.I recommend it for anyone planning to travel to Denmark or planning to live there, as I am. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (1)

Americans in Denmark
This book is a collection of interviews with and essays by Americans living in Denmark. I believe it was published in the early 90s. Some of their observations about the Danish people and life in Denmark are dead on but much is so off kilter it borders on comedy at times. The big thing is these people are all seemingly self important, overeducated, at the least upper middle class Americans that don't interact with working class Danes so they only view Denmark through the narrow politically correct sheltered worldview of those type people. Not that they get it all wrong but it would be difficult to recomend this book to somebody who hasn't been here who is looking for input as to how day to day life is. ... Read more

Product Description
At some time in the late 9th century, a Norwegian seafarer by the name of Ohthere [Oht-her-e] told the West Saxon king Alfred of his voyages along the coasts of Norway and Denmark. Ohthere's report made such an impression at the court of King Alfred that it was recorded and subsequently inserted into the Old English version of the late Roman world history by Orosius, accompanied by Wulfstan's account of a voyage across the Baltic Sea. Ohthere's account is the earliest known description of the North by a Scandinavian and gives a fascinating and highly trustworthy glimpse of the early Viking Age. Since the 16th century, Ohthere's voyages have been debated by an ever growing number of scholars, such as linguists, historians and archaeologists. In this book, a panel of experts presents the original source in its geographical, cultural, nautical and economic context. ... Read more

Product Description
CULTURE SMART! is the series of travel guides written for the smart traveler on the go. Each volume is a quick, accurate guide to customs and etiquette. What you'll find in CULTURE SMART!:--All the essential cultural and etiquette points covered, making you confident in a variety of situations.--You'll know what to expect in each particular culture.--You'll know how to behave in specific social and business situations.--Essential attitudes and values are clearly explained.--You'll find the concise writing style makes each topic a quick, easy read.--Each has the same look, page count, and organization for reference use.--Small and light, it tucks into your pocket or purse for on-the-go use.--Culture Smart! books are written by a staff of experts who consult on world travel as a profession. ... Read more

Product Description
The Left in the 1960s and 1970s has a powerful, almost mythical, place in the history of the 20th century. It was during these decades that the radical Left managed to renew the language of socialism as an alternative to communism and liberalism alike, but also when radicalism often led to extremism and social movements turned into political sects. Focusing on the Left in Denmark and Sweden during those turbulent decades, this study pays close attention to the political language in the two countries and shows the constant challenge to the concepts of the Left in the face of rapid social, cultural and political changes. The precarious relationship between the Left and the nation serves as a starting point for the exploration of the development of the New Left after the break with communism, the subsequent student revolts and radicalization of the late 1960s until the movement s apparent collapse at the end of the 1970s. This book illustrates the challenges the Left was facing in its attempt to articulate a credible political language at a time of social, cultural and political transformation. ... Read more

Product Description
Denmark has recently come to the attention to global strategic planners.This report puts these executives on the fast track.Ten chapters provide: an overview of how to strategically access this important market, a discussion on economic fundamentals, marketing & distribution options, export and direct investment options, and full risk assessments (political, cultural, legal, human resources).Ample statistical benchmarks and comparative graphs are given. ... Read more

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In the context of "Golden Age Demark", this work looks at Kierkegaard and his relationships with his most famous Danish contemporaries. It aims to see them not as minor figures labouring in Kierkegaard's shadow but rather as significant thinkers and artists in their own right. The articles demonstrate both Kierkegaard's influence on his contemporaries and their varied influences upon him. ... Read more

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This digital document is an article from Scandinavian Studies, published by Society for the Advancement of Scandinavian Study on December 22, 2004. The length of the article is 1634 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Jon Stewart, ed. Kierkegaard and His Contemporaries: the Culture of Golden Age Denmark.(Book Review)
Author: Steven P. Sondrup
Publication: Scandinavian Studies (Magazine/Journal)
Date: December 22, 2004
Publisher: Society for the Advancement of Scandinavian Study
Volume: 76Issue: 4Page: 562(5)

Article Type: Book Review

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Product Description
This digital document is an article from Countries and Their Cultures, brought to you by Gale®, a part of Cengage Learning, a world leader in e-research and educational publishing for libraries, schools and businesses.The length of the article is 3880 words.The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase.You can view it with any web browser.Covers the broad range of popular religious culture of the United States at the close of the twentieth century. Beliefs, practices, symbols, traditions, movements, organizations, and leaders from the many traditions in the pluralistic American community are represented. Also includes cults and phenomena that drew followers, such as Heaven's Gale and UFOs. ... Read more