Ireland (Culture Shock! A Survival Guide to Customs & Etiquette)

Whether you travel for business, pleasure, or a combination of the two, the ever-popular "Culture Shock!" series belongs in your backpack or briefcase. Get the nuts-and-bolts information you need to survive and thrive wherever you go. "Culture Shock!" country guides are easy-to-read, accurate, and entertaining crash courses in local customs and etiquette. "Culture Shock!" practical guides offer the inside information you need whether you're a student, a parent, a globetrotter, or a working traveler. "Culture Shock!" at your Door guides equip you for daily life in some of the world's most cosmopolitan cities. And "Culture Shock!" Success Secrets guides offer relevant, practical information with the real-life insights and cultural know-how that can make the difference between business success and failure.

Each "Culture Shock!" title is written by someone who's lived and worked in the country, and each book is packed with practical, accurate, and enjoyable information to help you find your way and feel at home.

 (9 customer reviews)

I highly recommend "Culture Shock! A Guide to Customs and Etiquette: Ireland." This is not your average travel book containing descriptions of places, events, lodging, exchange rates, etc... Instead, it gives the nitty gritty on how to conduct yourself in your day-to-day life. Especially enjoyable was the chapter entitled "Paddies", which gives a valuable groundwork in dispelling myths and stereotypes surrounding the Irish and Ireland. I'd liken the book to the grease which lubricates social wheels. Quite useful is the insight into historical forces in Irish lives, as well as the influence of the land, religion, and politics on Irish culture. Entertaining and informative, this book will help visitors to Ireland get more out of their visit.

If you think of green beer, shamrocks and leprechauns when someone says "Ireland" then this is a book for you. Different from a travel guide, this book will help a new Eire inductee gain insight to Ireland and the Irish people themselves whether you are there for vacation, business trip or school. Especially good is the section about Irish history, the people involved in the making of that history and the important player's in making peace in Northern Ireland. Having said that, this book is badly in need of an update since it stops just after the 1998 Peace Agreement was reached. It also helps you to understand where each side is coming from and how not to make conversation faux pas when discussing the often sensitive issue of The Troubles.The book is great for an overall feel of Ireland's culture but it's not for those who have had much exposure already. Having gone on several trips to Ireland and knowing many native Irish individuals personaly, I found much of...Read more

Obligatory caveat: I have only been to Ireland once. For this reason I disqualify myself from making authoritative statements as to whether Levy's impressions are accurate; I can only compare against what I do know.With this in mind, what I found most helpful is the up-to-date impressions of the author concerning the issues that tear at the national psyche of the Republic. She makes clear that much has changed in Ireland in the past forty years in almost every aspect of life, and gives the right amount of detail. Her suggestions as to pub etiquette are quite good, and pub culture is a key aspect of Irish life because they are in fact community centres of a sort. Her tone is that of someone who likes Ireland and its people, but is not blind to their foibles and weaknesses. Stereotypes are addressed head-on and debunked where necessary.There is a distinctly feminist tinge to a lot of Levy's commentary. I don't think it reaches the level of polemic, but it would affect the...Read more