Rating: 
Summary: Author insight into the juxtaposition of cultures is superb.
Review: Culture Shock! United Arab Emirates gave me a realistic view of what to expect from the many aspects of life in the UAE. Due to the large number of guest workers in the country, there are many cultural directions from which conflicts arise. Ms. Crocetti's insights into the juxtapositions of the many cultures and the overall flavor of the native culture influencing interactions prepared me well for my own interactions during my stay in the Emirates-both the good and the difficult.
Rating: 
Summary: She Only Told The Truth!
Review: For all you who think of The UAE as A good Place, read This book, She only tells the truth.
Rating:
Summary: Misinformed, outdated and negative
Review: Having lived and worked in the UAE for the past two years, I'd warn anybody planning a trip here against setting to much store by the information contained in this book. It appears that Ms Crocetti's experience of the UAE was a none-too-happy one, and I'm afraid she's let this colour her perceptions of the place. Given that the book was written fairly recently, much of the information is also strangely out-of-date -- I'd be interested to discover when she was actually here. A much better choice, in my opinion, would be The Dubai Explorer which is constantly updated and contains a comprehensive introduction to the laws, customs and constraints you'll need to know.
Rating:
Summary: Realistic
Review: I lived in a larger city than Ms Crocetti did and felt initially that this book did not pertain to my experience. As time passed and I went through the cycles of adjustment described, I decided to re-read this book. Not only did I find the cycles of adjustment were as described, but also that the values of the Emirati culture were manifesting themselves in my life. The understanding I gained about them from this book helped me to be more patient, relaxed and respectful. I thought, too, that the book was negative because I had so much hope and expectation for my time working in the UAE. I see now that this author has really given us a realistic view of what to expect from living in the Emirates. I have read numerous Culture Shock! books and can confidently say of the writing- this is one of the best.
Rating:
Summary: Not My Experience
Review: I lived in the UAE from 1997-2000. If I had not read this book in the beginning, I don't know that I would have made so many Emirati friends. The book made me interested in the people and understand our communication difficulties. This book is a must.
Rating:
Summary: Right on!
Review: I lived in the UAE from 1997-2000. If I had not read this book in the beginning, I don't know that I would have made so many Emirati friends. The book made me interested in the people and understand our communication difficulties. This book is a must.
Rating:
Summary: Clear view of life for an expatriate in the Emirates
Review: I particularly liked the chapter on Culture Shock. The stages of shock as described by Ms. Crocetti are worth reading no matter what country you visit. The Emirates are a bit unusual in that they are a conglomeration of many cultures with a distinct minority as the dominant one. Ms. Crocetti clearly grasps the 'things are not as they seem' society and gives sound advice for coping.
Rating:
Summary: Clear view of life for an expatriate in the Emirates
Review: I particularly liked the chapter on Culture Shock. The stages of shock as described by Ms. Crocetti are worth reading no matter what country you visit. The Emirates are a bit unusual in that they are a conglomeration of many cultures with a distinct minority as the dominant one. Ms. Crocetti clearly grasps the 'things are not as they seem' society and gives sound advice for coping.
Rating:
Summary: Not My Experience
Review: I read Culture Shock before traveling to Dubai and found almost everything described in the book either incorrect or outdated. Granted, I never traveled outside of urban areas and mostly dealt with business people in the Emirates but found everyone I met with to be genuine and warm. In my opinion the UAE is a unique place in the world, and not only looks to the future on a grand scale but has the funding and vision to make it happen. I agree that one should be sensitive to cultural differences, but not to the degree of that the author indicates.
Rating: 
Summary: Worthy Attempt
Review: In keeping with the series title "Culture Shock", Gina Crocetti makes a worthy attempt to describe the multi-cultural society to be found in the UAE, yet leaves the longer-staying visitor areas that can be discovered or developed for himself or herself. Gina also manages to include aspects related to women not easily described from experience by male writers. As such, the book deserves to be read alongside those guides holding more factual and reference-type information. One or two items should be corrected - for example, "at least 3" cups of welcoming coffee should read "not more than 2 or 3". Also the "Do's and Don'ts" need to be separated - it's not always clear which is which ! In its second or third re-print from a 1996 edition, the book also needs updating for "current" information, since a lot of content appears dated. I would have been more impressed with Gina's research had reference to Dr. Frauke Heard-Bey, as a foremost published authority on the UAE's historical development, not included four mentions of "he" when Dr. Frauke is a woman. A source of excellent references can be found at the UAE National Library located at the Cultural Foundation in Abu Dhabi. The library is "lending" and has a special Gulf archive, which includes a historical summary of the development of Abu Dhabi by Clarence Mann, now long out of print.
| 
