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Culture Shock!
CultureShock! Taiwan: A Survival Guide to Customs and Etiquette
With over three million copies in print, CultureShock! is a bestselling series of culture and etiquette guides covering countless destinations around the world. For anyone at risk of culture shock, whether a tourist or a longterm resident, CultureShock! provides a sympathetic and fun-filled crash course on the dos and donts in foreign cultures. Fully updated and sporting a fresh new look, the revised editions of these books enlighten and inform through such topics as language, food and entertaining, social customs, festivals, relationships, and business tips. CultureShock! books are packed with useful details on transportation, taxes, finances, accommodation, health, food and drink, clothes, shopping, festivals, and much, much more.
292 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 1994
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
March 31, 2017
Ok, I didn't read every word. And surely some things have changed somewhat in years since this was published. But I'm enjoying this series more than I would a travel guide because 1. I am an armchair traveller, and do not need a guide to being a tourist 2. they're an interesting way to learn some aspects of another culture, of what it would be like to actually live there, and 3. they're a fun way to get a little more out of fiction that takes place in that country or culture, especially if the novel was written by a native.
I think the one I want to read most, though, is Culture Shock! USA. I often feel out of step with other members of my community and homeland. In fact, one tip from the book I can use here is about how to ask (personal) questions. Use 'what' 'how' and 'who.' Don't use 'why' because that makes people feel defensive, or as if you're threatening their 'face.' Iow, ask "Can you tell me about the table in [your] parlor with the Buddhist statues on it?" instead of 'Why do you have a table...?'
I think the one I want to read most, though, is Culture Shock! USA. I often feel out of step with other members of my community and homeland. In fact, one tip from the book I can use here is about how to ask (personal) questions. Use 'what' 'how' and 'who.' Don't use 'why' because that makes people feel defensive, or as if you're threatening their 'face.' Iow, ask "Can you tell me about the table in [your] parlor with the Buddhist statues on it?" instead of 'Why do you have a table...?'
January 18, 2020
Really explains the "why" behind Taiwanese actions by explaining their history and values. A fascinating read and indispensable if you're moving or even traveling to Taiwan.
March 18, 2018
I think the purpose of this book is to settle in and give a sight of how and what you can face when you arrive to Taiwan. I can not say that I would wish to have the chance to read it before my arriving, most of the situations need to be involved in the Taiwan culture for a long term to really understanding. I liked this book because is so well written, and I can feel the link between the authors knowledge and my own experiences. I can not tell this book is not a good guide to begin with the exploration of Taiwanese culture and life style, after reading it I understood why’s and how’s but I think you can get is until you become a long term resident.
August 9, 2019
Needs to updated
Historical/cultural info is helpful, but a lot of things are dated. Most of the book is about Taipei and it really doesn't cover enough of the rest of Taiwan. Having lived in Taiwan for 3 years I gained some new insights but there must be newer books that would be better for a newbie.
Historical/cultural info is helpful, but a lot of things are dated. Most of the book is about Taipei and it really doesn't cover enough of the rest of Taiwan. Having lived in Taiwan for 3 years I gained some new insights but there must be newer books that would be better for a newbie.
April 5, 2013
I read this before I arrived in Taiwan back in the summer of 2010. I had bought it, because I had previously read "Culture Shock: Cuba" for one of my university courses and had found it very enlightening. I never went to Cuba, but I bought "CCT" to prepare myself for moving to Taiwan, for what was at the outset to be for the duration of only one year.
Now it's my third year in Taiwan. Furthermore, I married a Taiwanese man and now call Taipei home. I wouldn't accredit that course of events to anything I learned from this book, but this book is very useful.
It had been sitting on a shelf in my apartment for the past couple of years, and I recently picked it up, blew the dust off and began to re-read some sections. From my current point of view, I can endorse much of what the author discusses in relation to culture in Taiwan with confidence. However, it's necessary to point out that some of the things he mentions (like a Taiwanese boy child ripping out a wad of his blonde arm hair during a martial arts clinic in Taichung) would never happen in contemporary Taiwan, 2013.
But, much of what the author says about religion, customs, etiquette, still holds true. The section that talks about gift giving is particularly useful. Ie; giving gift money as per custom at weddings, how much one ought to give, and taboo number amounts (multiples of "4").
My only complaint is that he uses a very strange Chinese romanization style, which is not the same one that readers will see once they actually are in Taiwan. Ie; he spells xie xie (thank you) "sye sye." Not only is this form of romanization obscure and confusing, but it's also difficult to figure out how to pronounce. Hanyu Pinyin is much more straightforward!
Now it's my third year in Taiwan. Furthermore, I married a Taiwanese man and now call Taipei home. I wouldn't accredit that course of events to anything I learned from this book, but this book is very useful.
It had been sitting on a shelf in my apartment for the past couple of years, and I recently picked it up, blew the dust off and began to re-read some sections. From my current point of view, I can endorse much of what the author discusses in relation to culture in Taiwan with confidence. However, it's necessary to point out that some of the things he mentions (like a Taiwanese boy child ripping out a wad of his blonde arm hair during a martial arts clinic in Taichung) would never happen in contemporary Taiwan, 2013.
But, much of what the author says about religion, customs, etiquette, still holds true. The section that talks about gift giving is particularly useful. Ie; giving gift money as per custom at weddings, how much one ought to give, and taboo number amounts (multiples of "4").
My only complaint is that he uses a very strange Chinese romanization style, which is not the same one that readers will see once they actually are in Taiwan. Ie; he spells xie xie (thank you) "sye sye." Not only is this form of romanization obscure and confusing, but it's also difficult to figure out how to pronounce. Hanyu Pinyin is much more straightforward!
June 30, 2012
Culture Shock! Taiwan was a fairly interesting and in-depth guide to Taiwan that takes the reader through all aspects of this island, from the food, religions, and customs, to traffic, how to socialize with the locals, behave at a funeral, take a bath, manage a business as a foreigner, and how to get settled in upon arrival. I was required to read it for FASCA and learned a lot of new things no one ever told me about my parents' country. I never knew that Taiwanese people still have spirit mediums or have such intricate social lifestyles. It sounds like a complicated place to live-- you have to pay very close attention to the behavior and body language of the people around you due to Taiwan's high context nature. Reading this really helped me to better understand my own family and I think people moving to Taiwan or just going there for a relaxing vacation will find this very informative!
June 9, 2009
Well, I've been in the country for five days, and it seems that what the authors wrote in this book rings true. So it was nice to have a bit of fair warning of things that were to come.
August 13, 2011
Not a stand out. Some interesting info. A quick read. Good as additional reading to a travel guide. There are strains of unvalidated entitlement that come through.
May 7, 2012
Very useful. When I got to Taiwan, my Taiwanese colleagues were surprised to hear me comment on some of their customs. It really helped me to 'hit the ground running'.
December 16, 2016
This helped me quite a bit in understanding what was going on around me while in Taiwan. I read the entire thing during the plane ride. It's structure is easy to follow and the flow is nice.
October 27, 2013
Very informative!! Really hope I get to travel to Taiwan someday soon! :)
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews