Synopses & Reviews
'Israelis simply do not have the same concept of minding one's own business as other nations have. Even in their biggest cities, they will never walk by with their eyes averted should someone trip and fall in the street. They will stop and get involved.
In Israel, everything and everybody is everyone else's business. If Israelis keep their bedroom windows closed while being intimate, it for fear of being shouted at with neighborly advice.'
Xenophobia is an irrational fear of foreigners, probably justified, always understandable.
Xenophobe's Guides - an irreverent look at the beliefs and foibles of nations, almost guaranteed to cure Xenophobia.
Review
"An enlightened new series, good natured, witty and useful. The Xenophobe's Guides to different nations deserves a real cheer."
--The European
"The Xenophobe's Guides raise a smile and give you an understanding of the beliefs and foibles of nationalities."
--Glasgow Evening Times
Synopsis
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.
Synopsis
Highlights the unique character and behavior of the nation. Frank, irreverent, funny--almost guaranteed to cure Xenophobia.
About the Author
Born in Israel,
Aviv Ben Zeev attributes his Angst to a father who is of German descent and his temper to a mother who comes from the Argentine, a combination that made him a bit eccentric. Raised on the knees of the Israeli education system, he learned to take nothing for granted, and to try never to be a Freier.
After four long years in IDF uniform that looked particularly bad on him, he waved aside what should have been a brilliant career as a second-rate classical guitarist, and set out on his mandatory post-army trip. In the course of this he found himself in a New Zealand college teaching about Israel and in the University of the Kingdom of Tonga amusing students with tales from the Holy Land. He also discovered a passion for airports.
The word 'airport' was enough to make him join the circle of telecommunication company employees. Indeed, it is in airports that he may be found most of the time, en route to this or that remote country. His home, though infrequently inhabited, is situated in the bustling heart of Tel Aviv, where he himself can be spotted circling about in his automobile, searching in vain for a parking space. All in all, trying to keep his place - on the Map.
Table of Contents
Nationalism and Identity
Character
Attitudes and Values
Manners
Behaviour
Obsessions
Custom and Tradition
Sense of Humour
Government and Bureaucracy
Leisure and Pleasure
Eating and Drinking
Health and Hygiene
Systems
Culture
Business
Crime and Punishment
Conversation and Gestures
Language