Przewodnik ksenofoba. Grecy

The Xenophobe's Guide

by Alexandra Fiada, Marek Czekański (Translator), Magdalena Derlacz-Popławska (Translator)

"Przewodnik ksenofoba" to żartobliwe, ale pouczające spojrzenie na charakter i dziwactwa różnych narodów. W tym tomie autorka pokazuje, które wyjątkowe zalety i słabości Greków czynią ich Grekami oraz jak te cechy są postrzegane przez inne narody. Szczera, napisana z nutą ironii książka stanowi gwarantowane lekarstwo na ksenofobię. Lektura obowiązkowa dla turystów i wszystkich ciekawych świata.

Genres: Nonfiction, Travel, Humor, History, Cultural

96 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1995

Reviews

[Christiana Hadji · Rating 4 out of 5]

Πολύ πετυχημένο! Περιγράφει με ακρίβεια και πολύ χιούμορ τα ελαττώματα και τα προτερήματα του νεοέλληνα. Διάβαζεται μέσα σε μία ή δύο ώρες και είναι άκρως διασκεδαστικό.

[Maryk13 · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really don't know if I would recommend it to someone (especially not Greek) to read it.
I liked it because it says some things as they are. It explains some customs and everyday life in Greece.
On the other hand, it has many inaccuracies (not selling alcohol on the election day, that whisky is the national drink, that Greeks are not racist).
Overall, I would be very hesitant to learn about a culture from these (series) books, even though it has a more light humoristic approach.

[Rachel Gilbey · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I was planning my blog's Greek Week, I spotted that I had downloaded this book years ago, and couldn't resist finally reading it. It is a tongue in cheek look at all things to do with the Greeks, from their culture, politics, way of life, family, food and all other aspects of Greek life.

I'm fairly sure a lot of it is based on fact, and the rest is just meant to be poking fun at a nation, as this is one in a series of these guides to various nations.

I found it quite enjoyable and much of the information in the book did ring true to my own knowledge of the Greeks.

I think this would be an amusing book to read if you were on your way to Greece, or on your way back, to see just how much of it you recognise in the real world. At under 100 pages its a glimpse at what makes the Greeks Greek, as opposed to an in depth guide, but does give you a decent taste of everything.

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

As the cover promises: frank and funny! Perfect holiday read while enjoying the Greek culture on location! Made me fall in love with the greek way and appreciate it for what it is! :) ... and if I do end up in hell I'll make sure to choose the Greek-cauldron to spend the rest of my eternity with!... but that won't happen since as all Greeks know they already have their clouds reserved in heaven ... either way I intend to stay close and love the Greeks! :)

[Marzena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely entertaining and humorous, probably one of the best from the series!

[Naomi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this book because told me interesting facts about Greeks and it is very funny too.

[Shirin Alzebari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ακριβώς , και με χιούμορ , μεταβιβάζει με ακρίβεια την Ελληνική νοοτροπία που ειναι μυστήριο για τους ξένους ! Πολυ καλα γραμμένο !

[Ovidiu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hahaha, mă gândesc ce s-ar putea scrie despre noi...

[R.L. · Rating 3 out of 5]

English review below the Greek one...

Εντάξει, τέτοια βιβλιαράκια δεν τα παίρνει κανείς και πολύ στα σοβαρά. Είχε την πλάκα του και σε πολλά πράγματα ήταν αναπάντεχα οξυδερκές, σε κάποια άλλα όμως έμοιαζε άκυρο και ξεπερασμένο.
Έτσι κι αλλιώς είναι πολύ δύσκολο έως απίθανο να εντοπίσεις και να εξηγήσεις τα κοινά χαρακτηριστικά και την ψυχή ενός έθνους και μάλιστα μέσα σε λίγες σελίδες...

Funny little book. Often spot on and accurate but sometimes it felt somehow dated.
Hard to catch and explain common characteristics and psyche of an entire nation in a slim booklet anyway...

[Emilia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This hilarious, light book does a good job of taking a satirical look into the Greek psyche. Many of the statements in this book rang true for me, living up to the tagline a 'frank and funny look at what makes the Greeks GREEK'. I would definitely read more from this series.

[Mel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting and helpful!

[RA · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked it quite a lot, its only fault is that is very short (which could actually be a quality in itself).

[Evan · Rating 4 out of 5]

An insightful and humorous overview of the Greeks as recounted by one who knows and loves them well.

[Michalina · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit outdated content and humour, very light reading

[Książkoloszka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dużo informacji podanych w dostępny sposób. Lubię te książki przeczytać przed wyjazdem do danego kraju, dają mi pogląd na kraj i kulturę który zamierzam odwiedzić.

[Daniel Coll · Rating 3 out of 5]

Still an interesting read, but Norwegian guide was more entertaining and accurate

[Signe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Paar kuud Kreekas elanuna lootsin suuremat äratundmisrõõmu ja üldiselt ehk veel rohkem läbi huumori kirjutamist.

[Elizabeth Kosmetatou · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extremely funny and to the point! I also recommend Vrasidas Karalis's The Demons of Athens and Nikos Dimou's The Unhappiness of Being Greek.