The Xenophobes Guides are a series of books describing the cultural differences between nations.  I would recommend reading them if you are about to travel to a particular country and want to understand the local people better.  Or if you are moving to a new country and want to be more aware of the culture and ways of the people.

Each guide is a short but insightful.  They are written in a humorous way, straight to the point and irreverent, yet they are very helpful in explaining the behaviours of different cultural groups and their specific characteristics.  Over 30 different countries are represented by the Xenophobe Guides and more are being added all the time.

I have just finished reading the Xenophobe’s Guide to the French and couldn’t stop laughing.  Not that I have anything against the French, its just that I have lived in France, visited the country many times, I have French friends and still I do not understand them… until I read the Xenophobe guide.

The guide’s description of Xenophobia – an irrational fear of foreigners, probably justified, always understandable. And, a description of their own Guides – an irreverent look at the beliefs and foibles of nations, almost guaranteed to cure Xenophobia.

I like their motto – Farwarned is forearmed. If we understand people better then we can accept them.