Customs of the World: Using Cultural Intelligence to Adapt, Wherever You Are

By: David Livermore, The Great Courses

Narrated by: David Livermore

Length: 11 hrs and 59 mins

Publisher's summary

Taught by an international adviser to leaders of Fortune 500 companies, nonprofits, and governments, this eye-opening course reveals how you can actively improve your cultural intelligence in an increasingly globalized world.

Based on groundbreaking research, these 24 lectures address dynamics and customs related to working, socializing, dining, marriage and family - all the areas necessary to help you function with a greater level of respect and effectiveness wherever you go. You'll also encounter practical tips and crucial context for greeting, interacting with, and even managing people from other parts of the world.

In the first half, you'll analyze 10 cultural value dimensions that researchers have identified as helpful for comparing cultures; and you'll see how these "archetypes" play out in day-to-day lives. In the second half, you'll look at 10 cultural clusters around the world that - when combined with your understanding of the 10 cultural dimensions - provide strategic insight into how to be more effective as you live, work, and travel in our globalized world.

Why do people from certain cultures have little regard for time? Why might working overtime reflect poorly on you in Scandinavia? Why should you avoid using your left hand when interacting with someone from the Arab world? You'll find out the answers to these and other intriguing questions in Customs of the World.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your My Library section along with the audio.

©2013 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)2013 The Great Courses

A good start for people wanting to learn how to be more insightful travelers

I have been lucky to have traveled to every continent on our planet and I find the advice and insights Livermore provides are great stepping stones to start your journey.
Keep in mind, when talking about particular regions, he uses broad brushes to describe the cultures (and he says so multiple times).
For me, as someone who has traveled with purpose and sense of eagerness to learn how other cultures lived, it was nice to hear how my instincts were validated by research and university studies.
For someone who wants to learn more about how to be a better traveler, I’d highly recommend it!

A "must listen" for International Travelers!

David Livermore has given an interesting as well as thought provoking series of lectures. If you take the time to listen carefully, you will not only avoid various cultural pitfalls, you will also learn to enhance your travel experiences.

Helpful and interesting

Loved to listen and would love to know some (a lot) more :-)
Now a lot more eager and interested in experiencing and seeing more all over the world. thank you

A wealth of useful and practical information.

Very enjoyable, I could not put it down and gained a much better understanding of other customs at home and abroad.
Thank you David, well done.

Good overview of cultures of the world.

Good overview of cultures of the world. Defines across 10 parameters. Gives specifics for 10 different broad cultures.

Most informative intercultural course I've heard

Even as an ex-pat living in Germany for the last 16 years, I was enlightened numerous times by understandings I gained from this audio book. For anyone trying to get a better understanding of why other cultures differ from your own, this is for you. Mr. Livermore peppers the sessions with lively personal examples which are as entertaining as educational, and explains differences in an unbaised, non-judgemental way. As someone who studied intercultural communication and works with numerous nationalities on a daily basis in our company, I highly recommend this course.

Good review

He lecture gets better as it goes on. The initial section of introducing the main ideas could be shorter and more concise

everyone needs this knowledge

Prof Livermore gives not only knowledge, but also tools to keep improving our cultural IQ

The best Grear Course I’ve heard yet

This course is fun and engaging. I was a history major and got an MA in international studies. I have lived abroad for many years but learned a lot about the world and it’s peoples. 5/5 stars!

Very introspective

A lot of fun and informative. Tells you a lot about yourself through a lens outside your culture. Not all cultures firmly covered though.