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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.
The
Xenophobe's Guide to the Icelanders
is now available on Kindle
CLICK HERE FOR KINDLE
STORE UK
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KINDLE STORE USA
| 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. |
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Reykjavik, Iceland
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| 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. |
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London, UK
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| The Xenophobe's Guides raise a
smile and give you an understanding of the
beliefs and foibles of nationalities. |
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Glasgow Evening Times
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| Xenophobe's
Guides aim to help us understand our
differences. |
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Daily Express
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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 |
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| Author: Richard
Sale |
| Format: 96 pages,
pb |
| Published: 01/06/09 |
| Updated: New
Edition |
| Price: £4.99 |
| ISBN: 978-1-906042-36-3 |
| Online eBook. Click on
button below to sample. |
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