Global Etiquette Guide to Europe Paperback – April 7, 2000

This is the type of book which leaves you asking (a) "Why didn't this book exist years ago?", (b) "Why didn't I have the brains to write it?". Had it existed when I, for one, took my first clueless steps in Europe all those neiges d'antan ago, I would have saved myself more verbal and gestural gaffes in a day than Dubya makes in a week. The ugly American/Australian/Englishman would simply cease to exist if this book were compulsory reading in high schools and universities. I did spot a few slips in the section on Britain - the Wars of the Roses were not at all religious in motivation, and the term "supper" (as a synonym for dinner) is usually applied by the British to children and dogs rather than to adults - but overall I am most impressed.

This book has insightful and accurate reviews of culture and cultural appropriateness; however if you buy the book don't trust the foreign language words or phrases 100%. In the case of the Czech and Slovak section, most of the words are spelled wrong and in some cases just wrong. I wonder who did the research? They should have consulted with a native speaker before the book went to print.

Fantastic book for anyone working or travelling across Europe!

excellent

This books portrays an arrogant American view of Europe. Don't believe the advice you read ! Most words and phrases are misspelled and the advice is way too stereotypical.

Another reviewer mentioned how many of the words and Czech and Slovak (I think those were the two mentioned languages mentioned) were spelled wrong. It is really, really bad in the Danish department. The Danish have three extra letters in their alphabet: Æ, Ø and Å. However, all the letters O and A have been changed into Ø or Å, when a word with the letter Æ appears, it has been changed into Åe. Some V's have been exchanged with U's, and so forth. A lot of words are just plainly spelled wrong. Don't expect to be understood by a native Dane when quoting this book. It's a good thing most of them understand English, then.(Now I just hope the Danish letters will appear correctly on your computer, otherwise this review might look weird)

Good insight, but each country is only covered to a certain extent. It's a lot of money to spend for just the information in a single country's chapter, but if you are going to tour Europe (vacation or business), then go for this book!