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Books > Social sciences > Sociology, social studies > Social institutions > Customs & folklore > Customs
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. Culture Smart! Czech
Republic informs you about the traditions, values, and attitudes of
a remarkable people. It describes Czech life at home and in the
workplace and offers practical advice on what to expect and how to
navigate different social situations. The real rewards will come to
the visitor who goes beyond the reserve to explore the complex
corners of the Czech soul. Have a richer and more meaningful
experience abroad through a better understanding of the local
culture. Chapters on history, values, attitudes, and traditions
will help you to better understand your hosts, while tips on
etiquette and communicating will help you to navigate unfamiliar
situations and avoid faux pas.
This book provides a fascinating, up-to-date overview of the
social, cultural, economic, and political landscapes of Tanzania.
In Culture and Customs of Tanzania, author Kefa M. Otiso presents
an approachable basic overview of the country's key
characteristics, covering topics such as Tanzania's land, peoples,
languages, education system, resources, occupations, economy,
government, and history. This recent addition to Greenwood's
Culture and Customs of Africa series also contains chapters that
portray the culture and social customs of Tanzania, such as the
country's religion and worldview; literature, film, and media; art,
architecture, and housing; cuisine and traditional dress; gender
roles, marriage, family structures, and lifestyle; and music,
dance, and drama. Describes historical events from the late 1800s
to the present day Provides several maps depicting Tanzania's
location in Africa, major physical features, administrative units,
urban areas, ethnic groups, and population distribution Contains an
interdisciplinary bibliography of sources in the areas of
geography, history, anthropology, and popular culture Includes a
glossary of key terms, places, cities, ethnic groups, and
personalities
Don't just see the sights-get to know the people. 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 you
how to fit in as a foreigner. It gives practical advice on how to
avoid faux pas and how to behave in different contexts. It takes
you through French history, festivals, and traditions, and
describes the French at home and at work. Above all, it shows you
how the French communicate, and how to get the best out of this
idiosyncratic and brilliant people. 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.
Throughout its history Nicaragua has been plagued by corruption,
social and racial inequality, civil unrest, and foreign
interference. Yet despite being the second poorest nation in South
America, Nicaragua maintains a rich and vibrant culture that
reflects its strong Catholic devotion, diverse indigenous roots,
and overwhelming zest for life. Culture and Customs of Nicaragua
introduces students and general readers to Nicaragua's unique blend
of religious and traditional holidays, so numerous that the country
is said to be in a constant state of celebration; its growing film
industry; its many styles of dance, the popular "street theatre"
open to all bystanders; important contributions to Spanish
literature, local cuisines, architecture, social norms, and more.
Readers learn what it is like to live in one of Latin America's
most disillusioned countries but also discover the passionate
culture that defines and sustains the Nicaraguan people.
Organ Donation in Japan: A Medical Anthropological Study by
Maria-Keiko Yasuoka reveals insight into Japan as the country with
the most severe organ shortages and the lowest numbers of organ
donations among medically advanced countries. The history of organ
transplantation in Japan is a unique and troubled one. Many
academic hypotheses such as cultural barriers, the Japanese concept
of the dead body, traditional beliefs, and so on have been advanced
to explain the situation. However, little research has yet revealed
the truth behind the world of Japanese organ transplantation.
Yasuoka conducts direct interview research with Japanese "concerned
parties" in regards to organ transplantation (including transplant
surgeons, recipients, and donor families). In this book, she
analyzes their narrative responses, considering their distinctive
ideas, interpretations, and dilemmas, and sheds light on the real
reasons behind the issues. Organ Donation in Japan is the first
book to delve into the challenging and taboo Japanese concepts of
life and death surrounding organ transplantation by thoroughly
presenting and investigating the narratives of concerned parties.
"Birthday Tracker and Journal" is a special place to record
important birthdays for family, friends, and others, month by
month. It includes an informative introduction on birthday
celebration traditions and lists birthday birthstones and flowers
by month for gift-giving considerations. There is also a place to
keep track of birthday cards or presents that you send, or receive,
lined blank pages for your birthday reflections, and a place for
birthday photos. Color illustrations by author/artist Jan Yager
appear throughout. This unique book is a perfect gift or for one's
own use to organize this special birthday information.
Students struggling to find information on the modern lives of
those living in Eurasia need not look any farther Written for high
school and undergraduate students, "Culture and Customs of the
Caucasus" fills a major void on library shelves. This unique
reference work explores contemporary life in three former Soviet
Union republics: Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia. No other
reference book offers such exhaustive material on the traditions
and customs of all three nations. Students studying world culture,
social studies, and multicultural issues can use this engaging and
comprehensive volume to learn about the Caucasus's history, urban
life, religion, literature, cuisine, holidays, and leisure
activities, among many other topics.
In the early 1990's, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia emerged
from the grip of the Soviet Union and stood on their own for the
first time in almost a century. Today, these three nations are
slowly emerging from communisM's dark cloud, thriving culturally
and gaining strength economically. Written for high-school
students, "Culture and Customs of the Caucasus" is the ultimate
one-stop reference source that explores the three countries in the
region-no other reference work provides such comprehensive and
current material. Students studying world culture, social studies,
and multicultural issues can use this engaging and wide-ranging
volume to learn about the Caucasus's history, urban life, religion,
literature, cuisine, holidays, and leisure activities, among many
other topics.
The issue of patronage-clientelism has long been of interest in the
social sciences. Based on long-term ethnographic research in
southern Italy, this book examines the concept and practice of
raccomandazione: the omnipresent social institution of using
connections to get things done. Viewing the practice both from an
indigenous perspective - as a morally ambivalent social fact - and
considering it in light of the power relations that position
southern Italy within the nesting relations of global Norths and
Souths, it builds on and extends past scholarship to consider the
nature of patronage in a contemporary society and its relationship
to corruption.
This all-encompassing volume offers a comprehensive look at the
contemporary culture that defines this Southeast Asian country of
Laos, examining everything from Buddhist traditions to Laotian
cuisine. Coverage includes a brief history of the nation followed
by in-depth narrative chapters on religion, literature, visual and
performing arts, fashion, gender roles, everyday social customs,
and more. Through illustrative descriptions of daily life, students
will learn how traditional customs have shaped contemporary life in
Laos today. Few other resources provide the same extensive coverage
on current culture in Laos. Ideal for high school students as well
as general readers, "Culture and Customs of Laos" is a must-have
for all library shelves.
The Southeast Asian country of Laos, one of the world's
last-standing communist nations, has often been overshadowed in the
international newsroom by its more dominant neighbors, Thailand,
Vietnam, and Cambodia. Among one of the most bombed countries in
the world, one that suffered much during and after the Vietnam War,
Laos has been struggling economically and politically for decades.
In spite of these challenges, a rich, beautiful culture has
survived in Laos. This exhaustive volume offers a comprehensive
look at the contemporary culture that defines this seemingly quiet
country, from Buddhism to Laotian cuisine. Coverage includes a
brief history of the nation followed by in-depth narrative chapters
on religion, literature, visual and performing arts, fashion,
gender roles, everyday social customs, and more. Through
illustrative descriptions of daily life, students will learn how
traditional customs have shaped contemporary life in Laos today.
Few other resources provide the same extensive coverage on current
culture in Laos. Ideal for high school students as well as general
readers, "Culture and Customs of Laos" is a must-have for all
library shelves.
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