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Culture Shock!
Culture shock!
Book by Shelley, Rex
240 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 1992
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78 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
July 26, 2025
Originally published in 1993 with my version being the 1999 update. So nearly 30 years old at this point. I do wonder about some of the information and how things have changed since it was published. Still not a bad read. 3.5 bumped to a 4.0.
November 30, 2009
This is another rather good reference book to read if you are considering moving to Japan. What I have learned, after several of these books is the following:
a) There are no handicapped people or people of size in Japan. Whether or not they really DO exist, in these books, they are entirely absent.
b) The people of Japan love people to visit, but um… just don’t think of ever being one of them. Ever. While learning Japanese and making mistakes, you are cute, and they love to help you—get too proficient in the language and/or culture and you become the dog who piddles on the rug wayyy too often.
c) The above statement is always said NOT by native people, but the people writing the book, which makes me believe that the above statement is bean dip, but pushed by those who HAVE managed to fit in, hoping that you will buy it and not threaten their special flower status.
d) If you are good enough to have lunch with Emily Post, you’ll be OK in Japan—just remember to be quiet, polite, and darnit, read a bit about the etiquette before going to any foreign country to live.
a) There are no handicapped people or people of size in Japan. Whether or not they really DO exist, in these books, they are entirely absent.
b) The people of Japan love people to visit, but um… just don’t think of ever being one of them. Ever. While learning Japanese and making mistakes, you are cute, and they love to help you—get too proficient in the language and/or culture and you become the dog who piddles on the rug wayyy too often.
c) The above statement is always said NOT by native people, but the people writing the book, which makes me believe that the above statement is bean dip, but pushed by those who HAVE managed to fit in, hoping that you will buy it and not threaten their special flower status.
d) If you are good enough to have lunch with Emily Post, you’ll be OK in Japan—just remember to be quiet, polite, and darnit, read a bit about the etiquette before going to any foreign country to live.
April 10, 2018
Insightful information, I read this almost 20 years ago when I was learning about moving to Japan. I found it very helpful in deciding to move to Japan, it is a wonderful culture and I miss living there.
June 26, 2023
A great book to read if planning a trip to Japan.
August 3, 2011
This was really good.. if you're planning on traveling to Japan, I would highly recommend reading this sometime before you go!
July 19, 2014
Fun facts and information about cultural differences that may come as surprising to the visitor to Japan. I enjoyed it and learned a few new things.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews