Culture Shock San Francisco

CultureShock! San Francisco provides first-hand advice that will quickly help you feel at home in The City by the Bay. You will come to know the city’s eclectic and tenacious spirit, and you will understand its overpowering charm. The breathtaking Golden Gate Bridge suspended over the bay, the cable cars that conquer steep hills, the sun-basking sea lions and the painted ladies of San Francisco—all will move from imagination to reality, here. Yet practicality rules! Let this guide show you the neighbourhoods, the restaurants, and opportunities for cultural enrichment. Let it help you through the challenges any newcomer encounters, from finding an affordable home to selecting a school for your kids. And most importantly, let it advise you how to fit in with that diverse assortment of locals who together make San Francisco truly unique

CultureShock! Spain is the definitive manual for adjusting to life in Spain. Not only does it translate local customs and culture and warn against making any social faux pas, but it also provides practical information to enable readers to live and work in Spain with ease. Understand the Spanish love of socialising and take part in the ritual evening paseo. Learn the concept behind the term mañana and how best to adapt your daily life to all that mañana entails. Discover the A-Z of Spanish food, the famous tapas culture and how best to fit in with Spaniards' late eating hours. On a practical level, check the documents needed for opening a Spanish bank account, the do's and don'ts in the workplace and how to address locals without giving offence. Written from an outsider's perspective, CultureShock! Spain is all you'll need for life in Spanish society.

CultureShock! Ecuador is a must for anyone wishing to visit or settle in Ecuador. Packed with essential information, resource guides and language tips, this book covers every practicality, and provides an in-depth understanding of the people and culture of this diverse country which is also known for its Panama hats and many species of turtles. CultureShock! Ecuador is the comprehensive guide that will lead you through the ups and downs of settling into life in this fascinating country and help you to appreciate what it truly means to be in Ecuador.

CultureShock! Bolivia provides readers with a thorough understanding of this South American country, a nation steeped in history, culture, and tradition. Containing pages of useful information, advice, tips and resources, this book will guide you through the social and psychic adjustment necessary when moving to Bolivia. Learn, first and foremost, how to deal with soroche (altitude sickness), then understand the importance to the Bolivians of Pachamama (Mother Earth) and how she influences festivals and joyous occasions. Discover how to interact with the many diverse cultures, from Kallawayas to Cholas and Cholos to Aymara and Quechua, to name a few. Adapt to the Bolivian concept of time, understand the Bolivian love affair with soccer, and adopt the light-hearted response needed with water balloons at fiestas. This guide will lead nature lovers through the paved trails used by Incas over 2,000 years ago.

Although Islamic teachings are conservative, the social climate in Bahrain is fairly liberalised. This temperate society has allowed room for business growth and trade. Discover the rich traditions of Bahraini attire and the significance of the ubiquitous mosques in this small desert shaikdom. In CultureShock! Bahrain, gain insights into business etiquette and glean tips on socialising and settling in—all vital to setting up home and working in this rapidly developing Middle Eastern society.

CultureShock! Paris is an indispensable guide for anyone planning a stay in the City of Light. Let Frances Gendlin, with her invaluable Parisian insider knowledge and non-native perspective, take you through the process of settling in, whether for short or longer stays. From finding your own pied-a-terre and navigating French bureaucracy to discussing haute cuisine and French wines, all the practical information you need is at your fingertips. As a guest in France, should you kiss your host or shake his hand? Is it rude to be late or a faux pas to be early for a party? And what about meeting the French and making friends? If you are lucky enough to find yourself in this exquisite and sophisticated city, get the most of out of your stay with this essential and fun-to-read guide! About the Series CultureShock! is a dynamic, indispensable series of guides for travellers looking to truly understand the countries they are visiting, working in or moving to. Each title explains the country’s customs, traditions and social and business etiquette in a lively, informative style. CultureShock! authors, all of whom have experienced the joys and pitfalls of cultural adaptation, are ideally placed to provide warm and helpful advice to those who seek to integrate seamlessly into diverse cultures.