amyiw's review against another edition
3.0
This book didn't know what it wanted to do. It reads as facts one minute, then suggestions for travelers, as a guide book the next, then an explanation on politics and population. What it misses doing well is really getting to the customs and culture. It becomes a beginning guide to Australia and why it is that way and how to visit.
On looking into the authors, only one is listed but Gina Teague is also give co-author credit elsewhere. She is a "trainer" on cross culture management and that comes through big time in parts of this book. it is a relocation, going for work, then flips to a visit book. Inconsistent. This might be good as a quick guide for a business person going to Australia to get an idea.
Then there is things like explaining how vulgar words to an "American" (not Britt) like and they keep emphasizing words that are more British, not always American, that aren't so vulgar. Here is a question for you Americans out there, like me. Is bloody vulgar? Well we are explaned that it is like the "f" word. No kidding I quote it because instead of saying the word, we get the f-word. **sigh** I'm American and we don't use bloody and if we do it is 1. funny sounding, 2. more like saying damn. So it calls into question about their expertise, but since it is Americanisms I might give a pass. But... one of the authors lived here (really) 16 years. She is British so maybe she is speaking of reactions from her using bloody? I have no idea but it isn't something we use regularly unless we are emulating a Brit.
So a couple of interesting things, some real boring parts that read like a guide book (which if it were a guide book I'd go to the part I want not this drivel) and then some interesting political working. Then there is the corporate suggesting that are just boring altogether for me as I'm not wanting to read "how to conduct business in Australia without looking like an ass" I'm reading Culture Smart! guide to customs & culture. There were things repeated from the business section to the visiting section like they were written by different people and not even looked at later. Probably were.
So was it a total waste, no. It was interesting in parts, really boring in others (like how to use your fork and knife. No kidding) and in some, it just was. I give it 2 1/2- 3 because I was more entertained than not.
On looking into the authors, only one is listed but Gina Teague is also give co-author credit elsewhere. She is a "trainer" on cross culture management and that comes through big time in parts of this book. it is a relocation, going for work, then flips to a visit book. Inconsistent. This might be good as a quick guide for a business person going to Australia to get an idea.
Then there is things like explaining how vulgar words to an "American" (not Britt) like and they keep emphasizing words that are more British, not always American, that aren't so vulgar. Here is a question for you Americans out there, like me. Is bloody vulgar? Well we are explaned that it is like the "f" word. No kidding I quote it because instead of saying the word, we get the f-word. **sigh** I'm American and we don't use bloody and if we do it is 1. funny sounding, 2. more like saying damn. So it calls into question about their expertise, but since it is Americanisms I might give a pass. But... one of the authors lived here (really) 16 years. She is British so maybe she is speaking of reactions from her using bloody? I have no idea but it isn't something we use regularly unless we are emulating a Brit.
So a couple of interesting things, some real boring parts that read like a guide book (which if it were a guide book I'd go to the part I want not this drivel) and then some interesting political working. Then there is the corporate suggesting that are just boring altogether for me as I'm not wanting to read "how to conduct business in Australia without looking like an ass" I'm reading Culture Smart! guide to customs & culture. There were things repeated from the business section to the visiting section like they were written by different people and not even looked at later. Probably were.
So was it a total waste, no. It was interesting in parts, really boring in others (like how to use your fork and knife. No kidding) and in some, it just was. I give it 2 1/2- 3 because I was more entertained than not.
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