Книги издательства Oval Books
Название: Xenophobe's Guide to the Russians
Жанр: Oval Books
Год: 2010
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After the considerable success of The Xenophobe's Guides series, which uncovers the quirks and curiosities of other nations for xenophobes (people who fear foreigners) a series of phrase books is now being launched for the 'xenolinguist' — people who are afraid of speaking a foreign tongue. When visitors are traveling abroad, they have to expect to meet foreigners. Most of these foreigners will not speak English. The Xenophobe's Phrase Books series aims to help users overcome this setback and cope with the unexpected difficulties that may arise should they need to communicate with the natives.
Название: German for Xenophobes
Жанр: Oval Books
Год: 2006
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After the considerable success of The Xenophobe's Guides series, which uncovers the quirks and curiosities of other nations for xenophobes (people who fear foreigners) a series of phrase books is now being launched for the 'xenolinguist' — people who are afraid of speaking a foreign tongue. When visitors are traveling abroad, they have to expect to meet foreigners. Most of these foreigners will not speak English. The Xenophobe's Phrase Books series aims to help users overcome this setback and cope with the unexpected difficulties that may arise should they need to communicate with the natives. Lose your linguistic inhibitions. Speak German in plain English. This book includes phrases like: I would like to see the manager, You mean I have to pay for the froth on the beer as well, and Do you work out, gorgeous, or is that your natural build?
Название: Italian for Xenophobes
Жанр: Oval Books
Год: 2006
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Speak Italian in plain English. This tongue-in-cheek guide includes informative yet cheeky phrases such as 'Excuse me, there's a horse's head in my bed' and 'Does your older brother need to come too'?
Название: The Xenophobe's Guide to the Americans
Жанр: Oval Books
Год: 2008
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To many, the American is a strange creature: brash, loud, and a tad on the prideful side. This is a straightforward guide to all things American that explains mannerisms, food choices, attitudes, and a bevy of other idiosyncratic characteristics with plenty of wit. Perfect for novices to the country or Yankees looking for a bit of self-analysis, this is a no-holds-barred look at the red, white, and blue.
Название: Xenophobe's Guide to the Aussies
Жанр: Oval Books
Год: 2008
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Appearances are deceptive Never make the error of underestimating the Aussies. They love to portray a casual disregard for everything around them, but no-one accidentally achieves a lifestyle as relaxed as theirs. Logic down under Aussies will twist any statistics to their own ends. One statistic doing the rounds was that 40% of drivers in accidents had been drinking. Since this left 60% of drivers who hadn't had a drop, but who still had accidents, it must obviously be safer to drink and drive. Let's talk strain. The Aussies are not subtle and neither is their language. They will say what they mean. The problem is that the words they use don't always mean what they say. For example: blue — someone who has red hair; you're right — you are absolutely super; it's a bit warm — it is probably 120F in the water bag (water bags are always hung in the shade); that'd be right — I don't believe it either. Out in the outback Nature is the biggest single influence on the Aussie attitude. And a very harsh and unforgiving influence it is. Reality, totally uncontrollable, is never far outside the suburban limits.
Название: The Xenophobe's Guide to the Canadians
Жанр: Oval Books
Год: 2009
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After the considerable success of The Xenophobe's Guides series, which uncovers the quirks and curiosities of other nations for xenophobes (people who fear foreigners) a series of phrase books is now being launched for the 'xenolinguist' — people who are afraid of speaking a foreign tongue. When visitors are traveling abroad, they have to expect to meet foreigners. Most of these foreigners will not speak English. The Xenophobe's Phrase Books series aims to help users overcome this setback and cope with the unexpected difficulties that may arise should they need to communicate with the natives.
Название: The Xenophobe's Guide to the English
Жанр: Oval Books
Год: 2008
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Never overstep the mark Moderation — a treasured ideal — means a lot to the English. Their respect for it is reflected in their shared dislike of any person who goes too far. Irrational rationality The English can admire something without enjoying it, or enjoy something they suspect is fundamentally reprehensible. You can never be sure which stance they are going to take — the reassuringly reasonable, or the wildly irrational. I'm fine, really Stoicism, the capacity to greet life's vicissitudes with cheerful calm, is an essential ingredient of Englishness. Push-me, pull-you Two equally fundamental but contradictory English characteristics are a love of continuity and a yearning for change. In the English character these two opposite desires vie with each other constantly, which produces some curious behavior patterns and several characteristics most usually observed in the classic split personality.
Название: The Xenophobe's Guide to the Irish
Жанр: Oval Books
Год: 2008
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A popular perception of the Irish is that they're all fiery, freckle-faced red-heads who'll start a fight at the slightest offence (e.g., being called British). The bit about the freckles is accurate enough, but the typical Irish person has brown hair and blue eyes. And while they may be descended from the Celts, a fearless people whose warriors were known to run naked into battle, most modern-day Irish people would think twice before running naked into the bathroom. Avoid the void There's no use denying it, Irish people talk a lot. They don't know why. It just seems to pour out of them. Maybe it's something to do with living on a lonely mist-covered island on the western fringe of Europe. Whatever the reason, they just can't abide silence. It's a vacuum that must be filled. The write stuff The Irish devotion to literature is almost a character weakness. It is said that every Irish person has a book inside him or her. Very few of them can be persuaded to leave it there. From gags to riches The myth of the thick Paddy — once especially popular in Britain — has waned in recent years. But the stereotype of the Irish as a charming-yet-feckless people lingers. They are seen as being ruled by their emotions, incapable of organization, and uninterested in material things. This has become very useful in business negotiations. The ability to pose as hopeless romantics with no concern for money has been a big factor in making Ireland one of the richest countries in the world.
Название: The Xenophobe's Guide to the Israelis
Жанр: Oval Books
Год: 2011
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Highlights the unique character and behavior of the nation. Frank, irreverent, funny — almost guaranteed to cure Xenophobia.
Название: The Xenophobe's Guide to the Kiwis
Жанр: Oval Books
Год: 2008
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Straight laced and straight faced. A good Kiwi bloke plays things down and does not stand on ceremony. The rugby player who scores a try is no longer expected to look as if he is bravely accepting a death sentence but, other than in sport, emotion is not something to be shown in public, and not much in private either. A blokess is allowed more latitude. She is even expected by men to carry on a bit. Optimists one and all Whether or not there is a need to worry about something, the obliging Kiwis tell one another that it will be good as gold, right as rain, and no prob (short for problem), usually qualified by one of those great reassurers in any situation, She'll be right, or Piece of cake. Good citizenship To Kiwis, politeness is synonymous with warmth and generosity of spirit. Thus North Islanders, when complimented by visitors on their scenery, will ask anxiously, But have you seen the South Island yet? They do not want to be seen as hogging the best bits for themselves. Even handed Kiwis love receiving praise about their country. However, since self-deprecation is wired deeply into the national psyche, praise is looked upon suspiciously. Kiwis fear they are being buttered up, or somebody is having them on. Both praise and criticism are reported by the media, and are hotly debated.
Название: The Xenophobe's Guide to the Scots
Жанр: Oval Books
Год: 2008
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Innate instincts. A Scotsman likes to feel that, almost by instinct, he could guddle a trout (palm it out of the water) or gralloch a deer (disembowel it with his knife), even if he spends his day driving a bus or designing software. A kilty cover-up If the Scots were to shed their seriousness, they would be noisier than the Neapolitans and wilder than the dancing Dervishes. Their reserve is not a defense against the rest of the world: it is a protective cover, like the lid of a nuclear reactor. Rob joy Calvinism is still deeply ingrained in the Scottish soul. A Scottish poet, overcome by the joy of sunshine and blue sky, once cried out what a fine day it was. The woman to whom he spoke replied, We'll pay for it, we'll pay for it. Cunning and clever The Scots respect cleverness and like to feel that they possess plenty of it themselves. In Scotland there is nothing wrong with being clever, so long as you show it by words or actions, rather than by bragging. You don't have to hide it. To say of someone that he has a good conceit of himself is neither praise nor blame, just a statement of fact.
Название: The Xenophobe's Guide to the Chinese
Жанр: Oval Books
Год: 2005
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A guide to understanding the Chinese which dispels or confirms preconceived prejudices with humor and insight.
Название: Xenophobe's Guide to the French
Жанр: Oval Books
Год: 2008
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France is a country that eats, drinks and breathes philosophy. There is not a farmer, fisherman, waiter, car-worker, shop assistant or housewife who isn't a closet Diderot or Descartes, a Saint-Simon or a Sartre. French politicians look smart because power itself is chic, attractive, seductive, and one should dress to look the part. The French electorate would never allow any government to intervene in their lives if it were shabbily dressed.
Название: Xenophobe's Guide to the Japanese
Жанр: Oval Books
Год: 2010
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The quintessence of unspoken mutual understanding is to be found in the word yoroshiku: 'You have understood what I want you to do. I have understood that you have understood what I want you to do. Therefore I leave it up to you to finish the task and I expect it to be done in the way I want it to be done. And I thank you for understanding me and agreeing to take the trouble to do the task.' All this in four syllables. For all the apparent worship of the way of the warrior, being yasashii, which means being gentle, tender, caring, yielding and considerate, is very important in Japan. Asked what a Japanese values most in a potential spouse, both sexes tend to put being yasashii at the top of their list of desirable virtues. The concept is even applied to the inanimate. For instance, a car or shampoo can be yasashii to you, to the eye, and to the environment.
Название: Xenophobe's Guide to the Italians
Жанр: Oval Books
Год: 2008
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La Dolce Vita. The Italians live life to the fullest, and do not feel in the least bit guilty leading a life of leisure and pleasure 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 52 weeks a year. This is what life is all about: Italians do not live to work, they work to live. Achoo Brute? The most common Italian illness is hypochondria. Italians are in general extremely healthy people who spend a great deal of their time thinking that they should feel healthier than they do. A little truth goes a long way Italians grow up knowing that they have to be economical with the truth. All other Italians are, so if they didn't play the game they would be at a serious disadvantage. They have to fabricate to keep one step ahead. Always look on the bright side of life Generally speaking, the Italians tend to look on the bright side of life — a positive outlook aptly illustrated by their touching salutation: May the saddest days of your future be the happiest days of your past.
Название: To the Poles
Жанр: Oval Books
Год: 2009
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After the considerable success of The Xenophobe's Guides series, which uncovers the quirks and curiosities of other nations for xenophobes (people who fear foreigners) a series of phrase books is now being launched for the 'xenolinguist' — people who are afraid of speaking a foreign tongue. When visitors are traveling abroad, they have to expect to meet foreigners. Most of these foreigners will not speak English. The Xenophobe's Phrase Books series aims to help users overcome this setback and cope with the unexpected difficulties that may arise should they need to communicate with the natives.
Название: To the Swedes
Жанр: Oval Books
Год: 2008
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Soulful sadness A common trait among Swedish people is a deeply felt svarmod, a dark melancholy born out of long winters, high taxes, and a sense of being stuck far out on a geo-political and socio-economic limb. They brood a lot over the meaning of life in a self-absorbed sort of way without ever arriving at satisfactory answers. Love all The Swedes indulge in sport for leisure and sex for pleasure. Some people treat sex as a sport in order to combine leisure with pleasure, and thus save time and energy. Nurture nature The Swedes have a dream: to save Nature from Man. This is more than just a vision — it's as close to a passion as the Swedes ever get. Net loss Becoming rich in Sweden has never been easy. As Ingmar Bergman found out, even millionaires can have difficulties making ends meet when income tax is levied at 102%.
Название: To the Norwegians
Жанр: Oval Books
Год: 2013
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»The Norwegian man-hug is more a show of strength than a greeting and is usually a painful experience for the smaller of the two. There is nothing more important to Norwegians than enjoying the great outdoors. Happily, they have a lot of outdoors to enjoy. Foreigners brought up with the belief that relaxing involves lounging on the sofa may find leisure time in Norway challenging.» What makes the Norwegians Norwegian? A witty guide to the views and values that shows why their way is the Norway.
Название: To the Finns
Жанр: Oval Books
Год: 2011
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Forewarned is forearmed — an irreverent look at the beliefs and foibles of nations, almost guaranteed to cure xenophobia. This guide to understanding the Finns explores their national characteristics with humor and style.
