Kenya - Culture Smart!: the essential guide to customs & culture

by Jane Barsby

Culture Smart! provides essential information on attitudes, beliefs and behavior in different countries, ensuring that you arrive at your destination aware of basic manners, common courtesies, and sensitive issues. These concise guides tell you what to expect, how to behave, and how to establish a rapport with your hosts. This inside knowledge will enable you to steer clear of embarrassing gaffes and mistakes, feel confident in unfamiliar situations, and develop trust, friendships, and successful business relationships.

Culture Smart! offers illuminating insights into the culture and society of a particular country. It will help you to turn your visit-whether on business or for pleasure-into a memorable and enriching experience. Contents

* customs, values, and traditions
* historical, religious, and political background
* life at home
* leisure, social, and cultural life
* eating and drinking
* do's, don'ts, and taboos
* business practices
* communication, spoken and unspoken

"Culture Smart has come to the rescue of hapless travellers." Sunday Times Travel

"... the perfect introduction to the weird, wonderful and downright odd quirks and customs of various countries." Global Travel

"...full of fascinating-as well as common-sense-tips to help you avoid embarrassing faux pas." Observer

"...as useful as they are entertaining." Easyjet Magazine

"...offer glimpses into the psyche of a faraway world." New York Times

Genres: Africa, Nonfiction, Travel, Cultural

168 pages, Paperback

First published October 23, 2007

Reviews

[Kat V · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a good overview of what to expect when traveling to Kenya. I will definitely read this again. 4.5 stars

[BellaGBear · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this prior to my big trip to Kenya. Very informative, although it lacks some nuanche. Also, I suspect some things might be outdates (the love of SMS for example), but that's understandable for a book from 2008. But who knows, I might discover the coming months everything that's written is true!

[Lisa]

Quick read on the plane on the way to Nairobi. It was a bit dated in terms of current politics and technology but otherwise a helpful overview targeted at white US an European travelers.

[William · Rating 3 out of 5]

We have yet to see its effectiveness or accuracy as I don't leave for another week, but I found a lot of mixed messages between the nature of Kenyan sociability and crime. I suppose that's only natural, but sometimes I was like, "Ok, so which is it?" Regardless, I feel somewhat prepared for my travel. Would have rather read something more anecdotal, though.

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful to prepare for my upcoming trip. The book has a decidedly colonial tone and I take its arbor and recommendations with a grain of salt. The book is several years old as well. Still, a useful tool!

[Edie Millar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Useful to learn about history, customs, society, & culture of Kenya before traveling there in September 2022. I would buy other books in this "Culture Smart" series to get an overview of a new country before visiting.

[Rod Myers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helpful

Good insight into the culture of Kenya. I'll be more sensitive to my surroundings while there. More than a travel guide.

[George Foord · Rating 5 out of 5]

Was a great book for when I went to Kenya 🇰🇪

[Jason Spitz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Somewhat repetitive throughout, this guide will give you a good overview of Kenyan customs, traditions, and provide some good travel advice. It’s a quick and easy read.

[Lucinda E. Reid · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maybe not quite up to date, but good place to start

I found this guide easy to read and well organized. I have several other resources to get through, but this was a helpful overview, with lots of very detailed info about dealing with the Kenyan people in many circumstances. I'm hopeful I'll remember these relevant tips!

[Cody Holland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some general information on Kenya. It is a fairly small book and therefore could not go into much detail over any history behind the customs. Definitely one I'll be re-reading before traveling to Kenya.

[jm · Rating 2 out of 5]

Regurgitates a lot of information one could also find on Wikipedia, is outdated in parts, stays superficial on almost every topic and is annoyingly repetitive ("we have already seen that..."). On the plus side, it's short enough to read on the flight and saves you from gathering the data yourself.

[Joanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

So generic. In preparing for my first trip to Africa, I am not sure how useful this guide really will be. It's one of many I am reading to get ready for this trip, but I hope the other books I plan to read will be more informative.

[Janna · Rating 4 out of 5]

very useful