Product Description

You'll never feel intimidated and awkward about the customs and etiquette of another country again. With the insights provided in this CULTURE SHOCK! Guide, you'll learn to see beyond the stereotypes and misinformation that often precede a visit to a foreign land. Whether you plan to stay for a week or for a year, you'll benefit from such topics as understanding the rules of driving and monetary systems, religious practices and making friends. There are tips on political traditions, building business relationships, and the particular intricacies of setting up a home or office. Great for the business traveler, the foreign exchange student, or the tourist who makes a sincere attempt to cross the bridge into a new and exciting culture.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #349847 in Books
• Published on: 1992-02-01
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 248 pages

Customer Reviews

"Culture Shock"-A study of Philippine Life in Modern Times
Alfredo and Grace Roces have compiled a great deal of material on the Psycho-social development of and application of "The Pilopino Culture". Rationales are given for certain behaviors, and comparisons with American Culture are made. As an American I find the information contained in this study of Pilipino Behavior, Life style, Social Interaction to be indespensible in studying the Pilopino People. I highly reccomend reading "Culture Shock" to anyone interested in comparing Cultural norms between American and Pilopino Culture. I am an American married to a Filipina. After reading Culture Shock I have developed a much better understanding of my wifes feelings about issues such as-Religion, Family, "Utang na loob", Extended vs. Nuclear Family, Sending money home to parents in the Philippines etc. There are now so many new concepts added to my knowledge of the Philippines that I lack both the time and space to discuss them with you. Get the book and enjoy a refreshing look at a new Culture! Mike McGrath-R.N./MICN/Webmaster

Yes! So true!
This book is a well written introduction to the culture of the Philippines. I was born and raised in the US but my ethnic background is Filipino and I am fluent in Tagalog. I didn't think I would need to prepare for the trip to the Philippines. I could not have been more incorrect. Unfortunately for me, I read this book after my trip. Roces and Roces clearly explain the idiosyncrasies of the Filipino culture without insulting Filipino people. I recommend this book to anyone who will embark on a trip to the Philippines. One piece of advice: read the book *before* the trip not after!

Three things I learned from this book
I am a Filipino-Canadian, and I'm grateful for this book because it gave me valuable insights into Filipino culture (and myself):

- hiya = shame. Much of what Filipinos do and don't do is motivated by the avoidance of hiya.

- amor proprio = face. Filipinos try very hard to avoid making other people lose face in the slightest.

- utang na loob = debt to another after receiving a gift. Receiving a gift is bittersweet for Filipinos because the giver has some control over you now.