Culturally, Wise!

Indian Rupee (INR) gets a symbol!

2010-07-16T10:14:00.000+05:30

Win another copy of "Culture Wise INDIA!" (ebook version)

2009-12-03T11:50:00.000+05:30

Contest! Win a copy of the ebook version of my book, "Culture Wise INDIA" (Survival Books - UK) here: http://www.howtotellagreatstory.com/contest.html

World Daman Day 09 Celebrated in Daman (India)

2009-11-23T15:43:00.000+05:30

Check out the photo-report here: http://web.mac.com/noelgama/wdd09/Message_Board/Entries/2009/8/30_World_Daman_Day_-_In_Daman!!.html

Become a fan of "Culture Wise INDIA" on Facebook!

2009-11-18T12:28:00.000+05:30

The Facebook fan page of my new book, "Culture Wise INDIA" (Survival Books - UK) is up! Give me your 'vote' by going to the site and becoming a fan. While there, be sure to download for FREE the first 25 pages in PDF and comment/give feedback on the Discussion board.

Click here to go to "Culture Wise INDIA" fan page on Facebook: <http://www.facebook.com/pages/Culture-Wise-INDIA/207321671759>

Win a copy (ebook) of "Culture Wise INDIA"

2009-08-26T10:31:00.000+05:30

Win the ebook version of my new book, "Culture Wise INDIA" (Survival Books Ltd, UK) - it's easy... visit the following url and enter your name and email address:

http://www.howtotellagreatstory.com/contest.html

Unity in Diversity

2009-08-10T14:48:00.000+05:30

India’s wide and varied geography, coupled with a 5000-year history of invasion and immigration, has led to a very diverse people made up of at least four distinct ethnic groups and more than a hundred subgroups – tall, fair-skinned Punjabis in the north, dark-skinned Tamils in the south and people with oriental features in the northeast. But, in spite of these outwardly differences, there’s a distinct cultural oneness about Indians, proudly referred to as, ‘unity in diversity.'

Facebook Group - "India Culture"

2009-08-10T14:31:00.002+05:30

Check out "India Culture" on Facebook (Groups)

Culture Wise INDIA debuts in Portugal!

2009-07-18T12:06:00.002+05:30

Dr. Adelino Costa probably is the first person in Portugal to buy a copy of my book, Culture Wise INDIA!

Here’s what he has to say...

Caro Noel,

Recebi hoje o teu livro que tinha encomendado. Provavelmente é o primeiro que chega a Portugal. Está muito bonito, muito bem ilustrado e é muito informativo.

Parabéns.

Adelino Costa
Portugal
********

Culture Wise INDIA: The Essential Guide to Culture, Customs & Business Etiquette

2009-05-13T15:43:00.000+05:30

I received a copy of my first book, "Culture Wise INDIA: The Essential Guide to Culture, Customs & Business Etiquette" (Survival Books - UK) on 23rd instant with mixed feelings – I wanted so much for my first book to be on the topic closest to my heart… Daman! But the book does something for Daman because it probably makes me the first Damanense to…

• Author a book post-liberation
• Author a book in recent times given that Antonio Muniz was Goan
• Write a book on a topic other than ‘Daman’
• Be published by a foreign publisher
• Launch a book outside India, in the West

Loyal as I am to Goa, Daman & Diu, I did mention how and why the culture of this former Portuguese colony is different from the rest of India and that Portuguese is the mother tongue of a good number of people there.

So, Who Are The Indians?

2008-04-01T11:43:00.003+05:30

The culture of the world’s oldest civilization, albeit youngest population, has remained unchanged for thousands of years, enticing today’s sophisticated travelers as it did intrepid explorers and conquerors such as Alexander the Great, Marco Polo and Vasco da Gama, in the past centuries.

India has 325 different languages; more than seven religions; culture, dress and food are as varied as the different states and regions; and most significantly, there are at least four distinct racial groups, as a result of migrating and marauding people over the millennia.

Nothing much is known of prehistoric India. The only record is of the ancient cave paintings. Homo sapiens spread throughout a large part of the subcontinent, including peninsular India, in wave after wave of migration from what is present-day Iran. Archaeological excavations have unearthed Mesolithic sites in the Chotta Nagpur area of central India and the areas south of the Krishna River. The famous Bhimbetka caves near Bhopal belong to the Mesolithic Age and are famous for their cave paintings.

The Indus Valley (2500BC) was the origin of Indian civilization, with a highly developed urban culture in the cities of Harappa and Mohenjo-daro. They were great builders and city-planners centred on an agricultural community. Tablets and pottery depicting animals and ornately coiffed women, as well as jewelry excavated, are clues that there existed a sophisticated artisan society.

Lee Gimpel Interview

2008-03-20T12:28:00.002+05:30

Here's the link to a pre-release interview of my book, "Culture Wise India," with Lee Gimpel the editor of INDIA TRAVEL INSIGHTS: http://www.indiatravelinsights.org/noel_gama.html

India Travel Insights endeavors to provide insights into India travel and tourism through candid interviews with thought-leaders and knowledgeable observers. ITI's contributors are Indians and non-Indians with informed opinions about the state of tourism in the subcontinent.

Lee Gimpel is a business, travel and technology writer based in the US. He is the author of the popular PassingThroughIndia.com blog as well as a forthcoming book about traveling through emergent India.

Culture Wise INDIA

2008-02-28T21:38:00.004+05:30

My book, "Culture Wise India: The Essential Guide to Culture, Customs & Business Etiquette" is now listed on Amazon.com

Culture Wise India is essential reading for anyone planning to visit or live in India, whether for business or pleasure, for a few days holiday or a lifetime. It is guaranteed to help newcomers avoid cultural and social gaffes; make friends and influence people; and enhance their understanding of India and the Indian people. Printed in full color.

Product Details
Paperback: 224 pages
Publisher: Survival Books, Ltd. (July 25, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1905303475
ISBN-13: 978-1905303472

Here's the link: http://www.amazon.com/Culture-Wise-India-Essential-Etiquette/dp/1905303475

Great Expat-ations! The Art of Adapting & Adopting

2008-02-11T16:36:00.000+05:30

With the huge job and business opportunities in India, travelling, living, working and even retiring here has never been more popular, as current migration patterns show. But, although globalisation means the world has virtually shrunk, each country will always be a ‘world’ of its own, with a unique culture. Here’s an article on ‘culture shock’ and how best to buffer against it by Peter Read, courtesy Survival Books Ltd., UK.

Culture shock is the term used to describe the psychological and physical discomfiture felt by people when arriving in a foreign country. Though essentially psychological, one is exposed to physical discomfort as well – food, dress and extremes of climate and weather.

When you move to a foreign country, you’ll need to adapt to a new environment and the challenges of a new job, a new home and a totally new physical environment, which can be overwhelming. In your home country you may have left a job where you were the boss, felt in total control and knew everyone. As an expat, you may be virtually a trainee and not know any of your new colleagues.

You can tell culture shock is at work when you experience the following:

• The ‘honeymoon’ effect, similar to being on holiday or a short trip abroad, begins to wear off;
• Distress takes over the initial excitement as you start to cope with the real conditions of daily life;
• You have an overwhelming desire to flee, usually lasting the longest, and most difficult to cope with – you are prone to adopt a hostile and aggressive attitude towards your host country, resulting in confrontations.
• You have begun to integrate and adjust to the new culture, accepting the customs as just another way of living.

Some people find it difficult to adapt to a new life in a different culture for many reasons though partner dissatisfaction is the most common cause, as non-working spouses frequently find themselves without a role in the new country and sometimes with little to do. Factors like one’s personality, education, language skills, health, maturity, socio-economic conditions, travel experience, etc., contribute to how well one adapts to the new culture.

Many things that you’re used to and take for granted in your home country may not be available in your new country of residence, e.g. certain kinds of food, opportunities to enjoy your favourite hobby or sport, books and television programmes in your language. This lack of ‘home comforts’ can wear you down. You will also have to contend with the lack of a local support network. At home you have a circle of friends, acquaintances, colleagues and possibly relatives you can rely on for help and support.

However, the degree of isolation you feel usually depends on how long you plan to spend in India and what you will be doing there. If you’re simply going on a short holiday you may not even be aware of many of the cultural differences, although if you are, it will enhance your enjoyment and may save you from a few embarrassing or confusing moments. However, if you’re planning a business trip or intend to spend an extended period – perhaps working, studying or even living abroad permanently – it’s essential to understand the culture, customs and etiquette of the country at the earliest opportunity.

Culture shock is an unavoidable part of travelling, living and working abroad, but if you’re aware of it and take steps to lessen its effects before you go and while you’re abroad, the period of adjustment will be shortened and its negative and depressing consequences reduced.

Buffers against culture shock:

• Have a positive attitude
• Read up on your host country and its culture before you leave yours
• Make a ‘honeymoon’ visit before settling in
• Learn the local language – English has versions too, e.g., British English, American English, International English and Hinglish!
• Join expat clubs as well as local clubs
• Keep in touch with your family and friends, back home

As with settling in and making friends anywhere, even in your home country, the most important thing is to be considerate, kind, open, humble and genuine – qualities that are valued the world over.

Peter Read is a writer and publisher of the bestselling series of “Culture Wise” books published by Survival Books Ltd (UK)