 |
|
Title: Culture Shock! Taiwan: A Survival Guide to Customs and Etiquette (Culture Shock! A Survival Guide to Customs & Etiquette)
ISBN: 1558689400
Author:
Chris Bates
Ling-Li Bates
Publicate Date: 2005-11-01
Publish: 2005-11-01
List Price: $15.95
Average Customer Rating: 3.5
Format: Paperback
 |
|
|
|
|
Amazon Lowest New Price: $12.76
Amazon Lowest Used Price: $11.83
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Customer Review: |
|
1: Good introduction to Taiwan; can be read through quickly
I've been reading a handful of books around Taiwan and China; relating to their history, business, traveling there, etc.
This was a nice, concise, easy to read (especially skim) account of things. While it's not always on the mark 100%, I think it errs on the side of caution which I appreciate. A nice read.
|
2: A Generous Four Stars
This book was... fair. It might be a great for, say, an American businessman planning on a one or two month stay in Taiwan, although it is doubtful whether what it has to teach will really apply. It barely scratches the surface, but I suppose it was never meant to. In short, it's a good start for those who don't know anything about Taiwan and/or Taiwanese culture and want to lessen the impact, as it were. As a basic guide it works, but don't expect the sun and the moon. Enjoy your travels in Taiwan.
Troy Parfitt, author
|
3: Fairly accurate cultural descriptions, but focuses on Taipei male businessmen's experience
Compared to the cultural sections in the Lonely Planet for Taiwan, this book was much more up to date (having been revised in 2005 verses LP being revised in 2000). The only drawbacks were the book's heavy focus on Taipei (I moved to southern Taiwan) and the books focuse on MEN in the business world and men's night ctivities like ladies' clubs etc. These sections weren't applicable to women at all. Not being any sort of feminist, I was still rather disappointed that there was not any similar commentary provided specifically for women in business and women's nightime activities!
|
4: Taiwan Culture Shock
This book provides an excellent introduction to the different culture in Taiwan. Since our son will soon be marrying a lady from Taiwan, we thought we should learn a little more about her cultural background.
|
5: Exagerates things a bit
I just want to throw my vote in with several others who have commented on how this book gives an impression that is more harsh than the reality. It tends to give the worst case scenarios regarding how Taiwanese treat foreigners, which I think gives people the wrong impression. In my experience the Taiwanese are mostly curious but friendly, except in Taipei where foreigners aren't a novelty and are pretty much treated like anyone else. Yes, a white person will be stared at quite a bit, and may get some blunt questions that would be considered rude elsewhere, but the types of really blatant disrespect this book describes is pretty unlikely.
Other than that, it is useful and informative as to customs, etc, though I don't think one has to be quite as picky about issues of "face" as the book suggests, especially with the younger generation.
|
|
|
|
|
