Romania - Culture Smart!: The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture

We were thinking of visiting Romania in April 2024 but fortunately, after reading Ms Stowe's excellent overview of Romanian culture, we've decided to skip Romania. It would appear from the author's description that Romania (with the possible exception of Bucharest), is still transitioning out of its traditional peasant heritage. The author describes countless cultural habits of Romanians that would certainly be characterized as rude or uncouth my most if not all Westerners (answering cell phone in movie theaters, parents allowing their children to run wild in restaurants, speaking very loudly in restaurants or on their phone, etc.) Unfortunately, after pointing out many of these annoying characteristics of Romanian culture Ms Stowe repeatedly excuses or dismisses such behavior by constantly referring to forty years of Communist occupation! The Czech Republic was also occupied by Soviet Russia for forty years and when we visited this beautiful country we did not experience any rude or uncouth individuals (as we also did to some extent in Budapest with a taxi driver for example) so, is it really the fault of Communism or is it an inherent characteristic of the Romanian people who I am sure are warm and friendly people. Very good book which may either encourage you or discourage you from visiting Romania.

Such a nice book for understanding the Romanian culture. Cleared up a lot!

I bought the book for my friend and of course I read it before i gave it to him. The book reflects very well the realities of Romania and I was pleased to see that. He liked it a lot and anytime I tell him about Romania he says: " I know, I read it in the book".Good book overall!!

We first went to Romania in 1973, and such a guide was totally impossible to find in those years, so we made our own guide for the dozens of Bible Messengers to covered that land from east to west, north to south. Reading this book, now after all those years tells me just what a wonderful tool this is for anyone who really wants to know the Country you travel.I recommend this Guide highly, it will be one of a number of books we have purchased from Amazon.com on Romania which will accompany us on our trip next year to visit our Children and Youth Camp in Northwest Romania. Only now, we will know the history that makes Romania just what it is, and Debbie nails in solidly on page 15 in telling about the Hammer and Sickle years: "The Communist Regime had the biggest effect, leaving a legacy of bureaucracy, mutual suspicion, and corruption, along with an awe for most things Western."Just leafing through Debbie's Guide makes a thousand experiences over the years more meaningful now, because we know the Rest of the Story.A great and very handy little pocket Book.Dr. Dale Smith

While I thought this would be a considerable improvement over the one I bought about 10 years ago, I found not much new in it. I have adopted my chldren in Romania and have traveled there thres times and will continue seeking information and books about that marvelous country.

Definitely a great summary guide for those looking to go to the beautiful country of Romania.

I selected this book because we are visiting our three sponsored girls in Romania. I wanted something that covered all the bases without going into tedious detail, it's an overview,including things in everyday life. It also have a broader view of culture, addressing why they do the things they do while adjusting. From communism to western culture

Read it right before a 2-week trip to Romania. My trip was wonderful, and as a tourist all points made in the book didn't happen to be relevant, but it was a good primer about Romanian culture and history. I'm giving it 5* because it delivers what it intends. Not a page turner, not a book to read if you're not on your way to Romania, but worth reading if you are.

I bought it to give to a friend that wants to visit Romania. I'm not impressed. I'm a little bit disappointed. Overall is a good book but I find some opinions odd.

Concentrates on Buchrest where I do not visit. Very interesting how Romania has survived communism something that westerners find hard to appreciate and understand.

I have recently made quite a few Romanian friends and wanting to know more about the country (and attempting to learn the language) I was interested to read this book.What a fascinating read it is. It has heped me understand why my friends say the things they say and act the way they do.It is easy to read, gives a good insight (albeit brief) into Romanian history, politics, food and culture.If you are interested in finding out about this fascinating country this is a great starting point.

Very easy to read. Full of interesting facts about Romania. Well worth with a read if you are spending any time in the country.

This is an easy and short read (which for me equates to a positive). I'm moving to Bucharest and found it useful.