| | |
The Xenophobe's Guide to the Icelanders by Richard Sale A guide to understanding the Icelanders which takes an insightful, humorous
look at their character and values.
| Do as you always did | | Being new to the concept of town-dwelling, the Icelanders still
find its rules difficult. If you have been used to riding into the nearest village
and hitching your horse to a rail outside the shop you want to visit, you expect
to do the same with your car. |
| Bold and beautiful | | Not only has an Icelander held the title of World's Strongest Man, but
there have been several Icelandic Miss Worlds. There have also been a surprising
number of Icelandic chess grandmasters, and Iceland has more writers and artists
per capita than any other country on earth. These facts reinforce the Icelanders'
belief that they are a nation of strong, beautiful and intelligent people. |
| The joy of the jibe | | The essence of Icelandic conversation is the insult. Icelanders are born
with a talent for it and use it with ease from an early age. Because of their
farming and fishing ancestry the most telling jibes involve sheep and fish. It
is a very serious matter to refer to someone as a sheep or a codhead. |
| Give credit where credit's due |
| Next to their cars and electronic gadgetry, their credit rating is the
closest thing to the Icelanders' heart. Credit cards are accepted in all hotels
and shops, down to the smallest kiosk. Indeed, if you just want a tube of toothpaste
and offer a shop assistant cash, it will be assumed that you have no credit rating
at all. |
| This book
is fantastic. I'm Icelandic myself and everything this book states is completely
correct and a greatly humorous view of the nation. Apart from a few misspelling
Icelandic names and concepts this book is wonderful. |
| Reykjavik, Iceland |
|
I came across this nifty little book by chance. I've been fascinated by all things
Icelandic for a while and this is a fantastic read for anyone who has any interest
in the place and people. It would also make an excellent companion to anyone planning
travel there too. It's witty, highly informative and fun to read. It provides
a useful background to Icelandic life and culture, their national characteristics
and customs. You get to learn some really incredible facts as well as their quirky
habits. All in all a great book crammed with information and essential reading
for anyone planning a trip there or remotely interested in the place. |
| London, UK |
| The Xenophobe's
Guides raise a smile and give you an understanding of the beliefs and foibles
of nationalities. | | Glasgow Evening Times |
|
Xenophobe's Guides aim to help us understand our differences. |
| Daily Express |
Nationalism
and Identity
Character
Attitudes and Values
Happy Families
Manners
and Behaviour
Leisure and Pleasure
Drinking and Eating
Custom and
Tradition
Sense of Humour
Culture
Systems
Culture
Systems
Business and Commerce
Government
Language | |
| 
| Author:
Richard
Sale | | Format:
64
pages, pb | | Published:
20/06/00 | | Updated:
August 2003 | | Price:
£3.99 | | ISBN-10
& ISBN-13: 1-902825-32-2 | |
