Cuba / Mandy Macdonald and Russell Maddicks.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Macdonald, Mandy, author.

Maddicks, Russell, author.

Series:

Culture smart!

Culture Smart!

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Cuba--Description and travel.

Cuba.

Cuba--Social life and customs.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (172 p.)

Place of Publication:

London, [England] : Kuperard, [2016]

Summary:

Cuba is a land of contradictions that is easy to enjoy but difficult for first-time visitors to decipher. The largest island in the Caribbean, it is a tropical paradise that Christopher Columbus called "the most beautiful land that human eyes have ever seen." It is famous for the romantic charm of its crumbling colonial cities, the beauty of its white sand beaches, and its irresistible Afro-Cuban dance beats. But it is also a land of shortages and tight government control, which has been in a sixty-year political standoff with its superpower neighbor, the USA. The homegrown version of single-party socialism created by Fidel Castro has kept Cuba in a Cold War time warp that only now is beginning to change. As travel restrictions are relaxed US tourists can once again visit the island. Greater flexibility toward private enterprise is opening it up to boutique hotels and high-quality home-based restaurants. There is a boom in special-interest tourism for cyclists, hikers, birdwatchers, and scuba divers, while foreign entrepreneurs are eagerly exploring investment opportunities. Culture Smart! Cuba will take you beyond the usual descriptions of Havana nightlife, vintage cars, and hand-rolled cigars and give you an insider's view of an island that is teetering on the brink of historic change. It offers insights into Cuba's fascinating history, national icons, unique food, vibrant cultural scene, and world-renowned music. Practical tips help business travelers gain an edge on the competition. But most of all, this book aims to show you how best to break the ice and get a better understanding of the infinitely resourceful Cuban people, who despite severe hardships and shortages over many years remain optimistic and fiercely proud of their heritage and culture.

Contents:

Front Cover; Front Flip; Title Page; Copyright; About the Author; Contents; Map of Cuba; Introduction; Key Facts; Chapter 1: Land and People; Geographical Snapshot; Climate; A Brief History; The Political System; The Economy; Looking Ahead: Obama's Big Thaw and the Future of US-Cuba Relations; Chapter 2: Values and Attitudes; Resilience and Resourcefulness; The Spirit of the Revolution; Dissent; Attitudes Toward Race; Attitudes Toward Religion; Men and Women; LGBT Cubans Come Out of the Cold War Closet; Attitudes Toward Foreigners; Chapter 3: Customs and Traditions

Catholic Traditions Afro-Cuban Traditions; Celebrating History; Cultural Events; Public Holidays; Carnivals; Secular Wedding Palaces; Sweet Fifteen; Chapter 4: Making Friends; Meeting People; What to Wear; Conversation Starters and Stoppers; Breaking Out of the Tourist Bubble; Staying Longer; Chapter 5: The Cubans at Home; Quality of Life; Town and Country; Housing; Health Care; Education; The Changing Family; The Daily Round; In the Community; The CDRS; Chapter 6: Time Out; Food; Comida Criolla: Popular Cuban Dishes; Drinks

Cocktails With History The Arts; Sports and Outdoor Activities; Shopping for Pleasure; Cuban Cigars; Places to Visit; Chapter 7: Travel, Health, and Safety; Getting Around; In Towns and Resorts; Where to Stay; Health; Crime and Safety; Chapter 8: Business Briefing; The Economic Climate; Cuba as a Business Partner; Government and Business; The Legal Framework; The Workforce; Unions; The Importance of Personal Relationships; Be Prepared; Making a Proposal; Meetings; Negotiating; Decision Making and Follow-Up; Contracts; Resolving Disputes

Chapter 9: Communicating Language; Written Communication; Forms of Address; Direct Interaction; Humor; The Media; Telephone; Internet; Mail; Conclusion; Further Reading; Index; Acknowledgments; Back Flip; Back Cover

Notes:

Includes index.

Description based on online resource; title from PDF title page (ebrary, viewed August 1, 2016).

ISBN:

9781787022416

1-85733-846-4

1-78702-241-2

OCLC:

953604087