Etiquette Books

This book is fascinating. I was in Finland for a year for Fulbright and this book helped me to begin understanding the culture of Finns. It is honest and at times hilarious!

I shared it with my Finnish friends while I was there and we roared with laughter because it is all dead on!

Perfect for the person who will be going to Finland, and live for any length of time there. I am not entirely sure it would be necessary reading for the tourist, but much better for a person who will actually live amongst the Finns. So, if you are in business and will be spending any significant time in Finland, this is very much essential reading. It would be good for Diplomats new to the country or their jobs to read the work as well.

However, for the children of Finnish Immigrants, ( I can really only speak for Canada, but think it would apply evenly to the United States, specifically Minnesota ) I think the work to be ESSENTIAL READING. Much of Finnish culture was imparted to me, and my cousins while growing up, but it was Swallow's attention to the details, and her "anglo-sizing" events that made many things much more clear to me.

Swallow has a wit and humour to her writing, and it was an enjoyable read. I have kept it secret, and away from my wife, as I am sure that she would poke fun at some of the Finnish idiosyncrasies.

Excellent book.

I have actually read many of the Culture Shock books, as I have lived in, traveled to, and/or reported to managers of several countries. I find it fascinating to learn about other cultures and nationalities, and so find the Culture Shock series indispensable. Although I have lived in Sweden, I realized that I knew little of the Finns and of Finland.

This book covers the level of detail that I would expect from a cultural overview, and it provides insight from other individuals beyond that of the author's. The previous Culture Shock book I had read was about Canada, and that one was terrible -- I did not feel that I knew much more about the country than when I had started reading. In contrast, the Finland edition is very detailed and engaging -- I have learned a lot. Perhaps it is simpler to write of a relatively small country with a population of less than 6 million as opposed to the 2nd largest in the world with great diversity, but nonetheless, I can attest that the Culture Shock! Finland guide would be a necessity for anyone contemplating a move to the country, or for someone who works for a Finnish company/manager.

I, unfortunately, found the book after our recent trip. I had to laugh at so many of the customs and especially the traits, as I am of Finnish decent. It was light hearted, and I found it to be right on the mark, especially in helping me find out why I am the way I am. Have passed the book around and everyone agrees that it's a winner!

I'm leaving in August to be an exchange student to Finland and this book told me everything the Lonely planet guides were afraid too! This book was divided into nicely planned sections with a wonderful section dedicated to doing bussiness in the country. No book about Finland would be complete without the sauna chapter- and this book spares nothing. It has been by far the best preparation book I've read. The only downfall is that it is written by a Brittish woman- but she makes both Bristtish and American comparisons whenever possible.

I am not quite sure why I bought this book!

Maybe it was to make sure that the authors (Terry Collins and Derek Bacon) get at least some royalties for their efforts or perhaps the more likely excuse is that I needed to see whether my experiences were the same or similar to others. Then again maybe I bought the book because I just wanted to criticize the characterization or stereotyping of what it is like for us white folk living in Indonesia and particularly Jakarta!

The book set me back some IDR 163,000 from Kinokuniya in Plaza Indonesia. I was in Kinokuniya to buy a cross-stitch magazine for my better half and I happened to see the book and thought, why not? So, I whacked it on the counter and I now have my very own copy!

You might be wondering why a bloke who has spent so long in Jakarta wants to read anything to do with Culture Shock. Well, even after all this time living in Indonesia I am still "hey Mister" and perhaps this is both the beauty and the beast that is Jakarta; no matter how long you might have lived here and no matter how much you have integrated into society, you will never get away from being "Hey Mister!"

The book is well written (at least for my mind) and I found myself smiling and chuckling to myself as I read through it. It is surprising how much of the experience is common and how much we tend to forget of what has happened. It was nice to read and remember some of those long forgotten experiences that were jogged back into the more conscious memory!

I know one of the authors (Terry Collins) and perhaps I should make this as a disclaimer. Nevertheless, those of you that know me would know that I pull no punches. If I thought the book was garbage I would say so in not such an eloquent way! Yet, the book, I have found has been worth the money I outlaid for it, if for no other reason than it reminded me of moments that I have enjoyed during my stay.

Funnily enough most people are reporting that they are not finding this book in the arrival halls to Jakarta but rather in the departure shopping areas. I guess this might afford those on their way out of Jakarta a chance to buy the book for the purposes of answering this question: "what the hell just happened to me?"

I would have thought though that the best spot for this would be in the departure lounges of foreign locales and the arrival lounges of points of entry into Indonesia...but I guess this is why I studied law and not marketing!

But for anyone interested in learning the "ins and outs" of the Jakarta experience then this is perhaps the book for you. The book contains sections on the history and politics of Jakarta, settling in for those of you who might want to be more than tourists, visa and immigration information, business information, food and entertaining, fitting in, and communicating, among a number of others.

I think the most valuable learning tools in the book are the short glossary at the end, the culture quiz, and the "do's and don'ts" section.

So, go out and buy the book as it might just help you understand the experience you are about to have or the experience that you have just had!

I loved the book! I'm going to go live in Indonesia, possibly Jakarta, and the book gives all the tips you would want to know. I would buy this series for any new place that I want to live. It goes over everything from how to pick a house to weather patterns. It give a great description of what the people are like and how they think. A must buy for anyone moving to Indonesia. Priceless information that would take years to learn on your own.

Culture Shock! is the only must-read book on how to survive the confusing "monster" named Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia. Being born and raised there, Jakarta hasn't stopped surprising me to this very day, especially since I no longer reside there in the last decade.

This revised version is more comprehensive and up-to-date, as the co-author Terry Collins is, undoubtedly, superbly skillful in describing and explaining how Jakarta has evolved and will continue to evolve as one of the most unique places on the planet. Overall, it is a great book to read and keep on your bookshelf. Suitable for those who intend to visit Jakarta for pleasure or business for a few days, weeks, months, or even years.

I have been waiting for this book to come out for a few months!

I wish it was available when we first arrived in Jakarta.

This book is a very comprehensive guide to life in Jakarta, it should be compulsory for all new expatriates as it makes life so much easier when you understand whats going on around you. Even after living here for nearly 12 months I learnt a lot.

The book was originally authored by Derek Bacon nearly 10 years ago and has just been thoroughly revised and updated by a renown Jakarta Blogger, Jakartass.

Some of the topics covered:-

* First impressions
* History, Geography and Politics
* Fitting into society
* Settling in
* Food and entertainment
* Culture and travel
* Communicating in Jakarta
* Doing business
* Fast facts

I was very impressed with this book and hope you will be too.

Viewed from a safe distance, it's easy to assume that these days it's just one bad thing after another in Indonesia. How terrible must this place be to actually live in? How on earth do people manage to live there?

It's easy for the outside world to get a distorted view of life somewhere, when all that seems to come from there is bad news. But these are just events, little blips that get reported along the way. It's in the moments between these events where the real picture lies, where day-to-day life goes on, apparently as normal.

If you want to stand any chance of knowing Indonesia at all, you'll need to be there at ground level, with it whizzing all around you.Towering well over 1.83m tall, my co-authoring friend Terry Collins is definitely at ground level. In this reworked version of CultureShock! Jakarta, Terry brings our picture of Jakarta bang up to date.

With 20 years of Jakarta living under his belt, he is well qualified in shifting the story forward. And, crucially, he still has enthusiaism for the Jakarta life. He may of course completely deny this, but it's this very enthusiasm that has helped paint this much fuller picture of the city, and one too that helps guide us through the often confusing decade of change (or non-change) since President Suharto made his dramatic exit in 1998.

So here then is Jakarta today. It's big. It's frustrating. It really is a monster. Don't say we didn't warn you.

Entertaining 101 simplifiesby entertaining by making it entertaining enjoyable by emphasizing cooking skills and sophisitcated tastes. One can choose from 52 multicultural menus that are designed for entertaining but will leave the host or hostess with time to enjoy the party. Most menues can be prepared (in total) in less than 2 hours, and many of the menu items can be prepared a day or so before the feast. The book encourages potential hosts and hostesses to relax about entertaining and includes tips on how to minimize the work of preparing the table while preserving elegance. The authors have also included interviews with wine, cheese, and entertaining professionals to demystify the black arts of throwing a dinner party. A great gift for those of us that want to entertain friends and loved ones but just can't find the time. I found out about the book from a feature about it in the 11/5/97 Newark Star Ledger

This book is great! I have already made 3 of the menus and it was incredible each time. The book tells you everything from what type of wine, how to set the table and most importantly, what you can make ahead and how to have everything ready at the same time. For once I was drinking wine with my husband, waiting for the guests instead of rushing around at the last minute. Did I mention the meals are incredible?

Kudos to the authors who put together menus for real people. This book is sincere in its aim to be useful: not too many ingredients, advice on how to get it done ahead of time, enticing menus. One of my hobbies is reading cooking mags and books. This one is chock full of lots of ideas I will be able to use (not only for guest, but for my family too).

This book is an entertainers dream come true. No more backbreaking work, no more sore feet, and above all, no more feeling like I'm going to fall asleep during the party. Why does entertaining have to be so exhausting? There is no need to spend 8 hours in the kitchen getting ready for your guests to spend 3 hours enjoying. Why not just spend one hour, and enjoy yourself? This is the book for you! The recipes are easy, quick and excellent. With 52 different menus to choose from, you're set for the entire year. I found myself wishing the summer away because some of the winter menus looked so great! Now all I need to do is figure out who to invite over and enjoy myself.

In "Entertaining 101," the authors present recipes for a whole meal: appetizer, wines, entree, and dessert, so you don't have to bother figuring out what goes with what! They are themed for the holidays, and turn out tasting delicious and looking great! I have very little cooking experience, but their directions are easy to follow and very clear. Also, their food is healthy and fat-conscious without being bland or boring. This book is fantastic!

This collection of plays has the ability to satisfy both the comic and tragic needs of any dramatic reader. Silver's ability to write dark comedy is perhaps unparalleled by any living playwright. He has the skill to smoothly draw the reader into an entertaining story, and then to slowly put the reader off-guard until you find yourself wrapped up in the middle of a very dark narrative.

Silver uses many different theatrical approaches in the collection. Most of his plays are a mix of dialogue and monolgue, and he often takes modernist perspectives of staging. In any given play he will engage two opposing dramatic styles -- such as Noel Coward v. Berthold Brecht in Free Will and Wanton Lust -- to accentuate his message. The playwright's language flows easily and the dialogue is smooth. While some characters at times appear to have a forced three-dimensionality, the reader feels that Silver is doing this on purpose.

The greatest benefit of Silver's gift is that, through comedy and the guise of comedy, he is able to present otherwise difficult subjects to us, such as deeper meanings of love and hate, loneliness, self-denial, and spiritual needs. Recommended for all theatre fans.

Nicky Silver's work will in time be noticed by the masses. For now, his plays will intrigue and entertain the relatively small number of people that pays allegiance to them. Etiquette and Vitriol is a well-shaped, fully engaging product. And it's funny. Extremely. It's hillarious really. And textured and smart. The work brings in characters of all sizes, and plants them together upon the stage, focusing on relationships -- familial, social, sexual... Each of the plays is hardly cluttered however. We are given a few figures to work with and thus these figures must be and are quite complex. They carry with them a certain authenticity often unrealized by many a playwright. Silver's work is impressive and sure to make jealous any aspiring artist. Buy the book. You'll love it.

if you buy no other anthology this year...you must own this one. nicky silver remains one of the american theatre's funniest, smartest, most exciting writers. if you like your comedy served up with the occassional gut-punch, you can't go wrong. exciting, viscerally engaging, challenging...i can't say enough. this is a collection of plays bound to endure.

This anthology is a good introduction to Nicky Silver. It provides the reader with a well-rounded overview of Silver's work, and I enjoyed reading the author's own comments on the plays in the introduction.

When I was a theatre student I rarely found plays that excited me to actually want to read, direct, or act in. I was on a crusade one year buying script after script after script. Usually I would be bored and put them down after the first scene. When I picked up Etiquette and Vitriol I think I almost died. Here was a gay playwright who didn't write your normal "I'm ok and I'm gay" play. He writes about the deconstruction of families and relationships. He has an amazing ability to give you something so horribly disgusting and then to make you laugh at it. Like in FAT MEN IN SKIRTS which is a dark comedy about a mother and son who are trapped on a desert island and their struggles to survive and their inability to acclimate back to civilized culture. At the end of the first act the mother is raped by the son and in the back ground you here Bali Hai from SOUTH PACIFIC, if you get the reference of the song there is almost no way you can stop from laughing but then you realize what you are laughing at. That is the brilliance of his writing. I highly recommend all of his works!

I found that this book exceeded the excellent things I'd heard about it. It provided down-to-earth, practical advice on how to talk about illness and dying with loved ones. Equally useful for young and old. I'm going to order more copies to give as gifts because this book is so warm, wonderful and enriching

This is a great book on a subject that is difficult to discuss and understand. Since we all will have someone sick in our lives at some point, this information will really help you to find the right words.
A comforting book to read. Very well written.

?The Etiquette of Illness? is well-written and provides a very good roadmap for those of us who do not have much experience in dealing with illness, either our own or that of friends and loved ones. The best part is the feeling of warmth and community that emerges from the descriptions of real life examples that Halpern uses to illustrate her points. She also allows the reader to forgive himself for mistakes made in dealing with illness in others.

Congratulations to Susan Halpern for creating a beautiful, thoughtful, accessible and spiritual work on a complex subject. I loved that the vignettes that comprise the bulk of the book are so short, simple and non-judgmental. That the author has transformed her own experiences with illness and death into such a constructive and generous contribution to our world is as impressive as it is inspiring. If you?ve ever paused to consider how to address your own or someone else?s hardships, you will appreciate this gem of a book.

Coincidently,just before reading this book I had a conversation with a friend about her daughter's breast cancer and how so very many people said the wrong things to her duaghter trying to be sympathetic. This book gives the right questions to ask of a friend who is ill and to the questions, as well, about how to be helpful without intruding. It also advises the person who is sick on how to ask for help and comfort. The book manages to be amazingly soothing in its effect and I don't mean that in a wishy washy sense at all. Quite the contrary. It is difficult to read about these issues of life-threatening illness without feelings of anxiety and sadness. Halpern has managed to communicate softness and peace, a Zen-like tone that makes the reader feel that these events are part of the life cycle and not the horrible other of bad dreams that render the dreamers helpless. She doesn't mitigate the devastating effects of illness or the possibility of loss, but instead offers positive actions that can turn helplessness into helpful action. Her voice, calming and kind, was there as much as if she were in the room with you.

This is one of the funniest books I have seen in a long time. It's just got some hilarious excuses, and it has excuses that people have used on me. It's just a riot to see them all in one place, and, if I ever get in a sticky situation, maybe a good excuse is just what I'll need!

Folks: I read this book in my dentist's waiting room, while waiting for some crown work. The excuses are compartmented in categories: excuses for not having sex, excuses for having sex. Political excuses, criminal excuses, excuses for sinning; not sinning, etc, so you can suit the excuse to the occasion. No offensive words are used, and the book is so hilarious that I laughed through an hour's drilling and shaving and forgot all feelings of apprehension usually felt in the chair. Now that is a powerful soporific to put it mildly, and it did not cost me anything. (Of course, I had to order the book to read the rest of the excuses.)

Funny and useful....I loved the artwork!!! It kept me out of trouble with my boss......and my boyfriend!!!!

This book kept me up all night laughing and it gave me an excuse to use for my boss the next day! It wasn't my fault I was laughing so much!!!

one of the funniest books I have read, I even learned a few new excuses that worked on my wife!!!!

Many brides consult me, about their wedding, I always recommend this book for them to read before their wedding. It gives all the answers to the expected and unexpected difficult situations before and during this critical period.

This book has been a great help to me. I'd recommend it to anyone having anything to do with a wedding.

The seller sent my items quickly and they were just as described. No problems at all.

It's a great little book with all the info you need. I noticed the last review was in 1998 - I have the revised edition published in 2000.

Well worth the investment.

A plethora of good tips! This books offers suggestions and answers to the many nagging yet necessary questions that need to be answered before the 'Big Day'. For example, at my last marriage (my second), I ripped my wedding dress waist high and if it hadn't been for this book, my maid of honor wouldn't have saved the day with the needle and thread she so cleverly hid in her bouquet. Anyway, this book is great!

From the vantage point of a historian, I value this book as a lavishly illustrated and researched book about the clothing of an era, and how that clothing reflected the intense cultural changes of the 1960s. The outstanding representation of the society of the decade with photographs, drawings, album covers, movie posters and art brought the text to life.

As a Baby Boomer, I saw this book as a nostalgic glance at my school days -- virtually a yearbook for graduates of the Mods, Rockers and Hippie school of fashion.

Fashions of a Decade: The 1960s is highly recommended for the history student, fashion student, or anyone looking for an authentic look into the heart of an era. Brava!

I really enjoyed this book. Its an interesting read about the effect of WWII on world fashion and also a helpful resorce guide to fashion and trends of the era. I must for any vintage clothing collector or swing kid!

I borrowed this book along with the other volumes (1940 to 1970 )from my library. This was exactly what I need for my assignment of different body types and the power of non verbal communication. It was very interesting and would recommend buying. This book was outstanding!

I thought this book was well written, even if it is supposedly for kids. It was full of information, pictures, and interesting trivia. As a free-lance writer and researcher of the Twenties, it's a good book to have in one's personal library!

I found this book to be well writen and researched. The illustrations were great, and very inspiring. I can't wait to try and sew some of these fashions myself. The historical aspects of the Fashions of the 1940s was very informative.

I didn't know how much I didn't know until I read through Poulson's book, which a friend had recommended. It is comprehensive and filled with practical tips on how to navigate through a variety of social situations. I definitely feel more confident and in control when it comes to entertaining and dating - an easy read that taught me making an impression goes far beyond just good manners. The food and wine sections were particularly helpful, thorough but not pretentious.

I decided to get a copy of this book after attending one of Ms.Poulson's presentations and I'm very glad I did. It's one of the best books I've read on how a guy can make a great impression when wining and dining. Her social tips on asking for a date, home entertaining (including simple to prepare candlelight dinners) and hosting business luncheons have all been extremely useful. I also found her compact, quick-reference food and wine pairing section to be invaluable. An excellent guide to modern manners for men.

I purchased this book for knowledge about entertaining. I did not find it to be for Men Only. The information was so informative and interesting, it included all aspects of entertaining, from the serving of food, to proper place settings, even seating arrangements, manners and protocol. I wish more men would read this and take heed, us women would be thoroughly impressed. Common courtesy and respect are a dying entity.
Thanks Naomi, for much needed information
For Men Only: A Gentleman's Guide to Great Entertaining

This is a wonderful book, from brushing up on where people should sit at a dinner party to what to serve and how to serve it. Poulson's book can really help limit the number of fopaux's one might make at an important engagement. It saved my bacon!

This is a concise and easy-to-read guide on the finer points of etiquette and manners for fine dining situations at home or in restaurants. I keep it next to my cookbooks and bar manuals and regularly consult it if I'm going out on a date or hosting dinner parties at home. Poulson keeps things simple, which I really appreciate; there are even tidbits on how to deal with difficult situations at the table that I always wondered how to handle. The recipes and course suggestions are also very handy. All in all, it's a great reference for important but often neglected courtesies; I can entertain with confidence knowing that I'm using the right fork and ordering the right wine. A must-have for any gentleman-in-training!

As a sexuality educator and parent I was estatic to read such a medically accurate and wholistic approach to sexuality education. I want to thank Debra Haffner for making my job as a parent and educator easier!

In an engaging and entertaining fashion, the author addresses all the complex aspects of guiding your child's sexual education and development. With practical experience and professional expertise, she faces the tough situations of everyday parenting and provides useful advice for those anticipating how they will discuss sexuality with their children. Whether we like it or not, all children have questions about sexuality...This book prepares parents to answer those questions honestly AND in ways that will help children grow into healthy adults. This is a terrific resource and would make a perfect gift for parents of young children.

If you've ever wondered how to deal with telling your kids about everything from the parts of their own body at age 2 to practicing safe sex as a teen ager, Diapers to Dating is the source to turn to. And forget the old, too embarrassing big talk about the birds and the bees, Author Debra Haffner takes us through a logical, caring approach that teaches us "everything your child wants to know about sex but is definately afraid, or too embarrassed to ask". What Doctor Spock did for children's health, Haffner does for children's healthy sexuality. This is a must-read for parents and just about anybody who wants to be a better part of our children's lives.

This is really a wonderful book - I wish my wife and I had had it when our children were younger. Haffner speaks as a parent of two children herself, with a professional background of a sexuality educator. Her advice is practical and specific and she has a warm and helpful "voice" in addressing parents - she admits her own mistakes and then tells you how she (or her husband) recovered from those mistakes.

She is a strong advocate of honesty and frankness about sexuality. She is clear that sexuality is intimately tied with values and challenges parents to be clear about their own values and communicate them to their children. She gives her opinion on matters that stump many parents (such as how to discuss masturbation, for example) but says that if your family's values are different from those that Haffner expresses, tell your children what you believe (but don't try to scare your child with incorrect or scientifically incorrect information).

This book should be in the baby basket for every new parent - Haffner makes it clear that sexuality education and discussions start from the very first. And she goes right through to those scary moments when your son or daughter is out on a date and you are wondering, "What's happening and what should I say or do?"

It's an outstanding reference, well written and lively.

As a parent of an 8 year old girl and 5 year boy, I find this book to be extremely helpful in giving advice on dealing with the often difficult questions about sexuality. This book provides advice on teaching children the proper names for all parts of their bodies (which I have always done anyway) to how to explain how babies are conceived to helping prepare for puberty, and I now feel much better prepared as a parent to discuss my children's developing sexuality with them.