Books by Diane Lemieux

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

by Culture Smart, Diane Lemieux

Nigeria, the most populous country in Africa with an internal market of 150 million people and an economy growing at around 8 percent a year, is potentially Africa’s next powerhouse. It is nearly one and a half times the size of Texas, with a landmass varying from sandy beaches and tropical jungles, to plains, mountains, and desert. This important West African nation is made up of 250 culturally distinct ethno-linguistic groups. The largest communities are the Hausa in the north, rooted in the Islamic city-states of the famed trans-Saharan trade routes; the Yoruba of the southwest, where ancient kingdoms nurtured some of Africa’s best-known art forms; and the Igbo of the southeast, where decentralized, egalitarian communities have produced many of the country’s most successful traders and businessmen. Nigeria has had a bad press: international reports of violence, corruption, and natural disasters completely overlook the vibrancy and artistic sophistication of its diverse cultural groups, most of whom live peacefully in mixed communities. Although Nigeria is the world’s fifth-largest producer of oil, there is a huge disparity in income. The competition for scarce resources and the country’s dense diversity have fostered ingenuity and perseverance on the part of its ambitious citizens. They are natural entrepreneurs, and intelligent and shrewd negotiators. They are also proud, and sensitive to criticism. Most are devout, gregarious, and hospitable, and disgusted by corruption. Now, in the twelfth consecutive year of democracy after years of military rule, major political and economic reforms are under way. Culture Smart! Nigeria is a unique introduction to life there today. Most of what is written about the country comes from the perspective of one or other tribe. There is nothing quite like this concise description of its major cultural traditions. The people most visitors will meet are well-educated, sophisticated, and well-versed in Western ways. Nonetheless, foreign businesspeople cannot hope to be successful without understanding the ancient and complex systems of behavior, values, and attitudes that underlie the country’s vibrant social and business life.

Canada - Culture Smart! The Essential Guide to Customs and Culture

by Culture Smart, Diane Lemieux, Juliana Tzvetkova

Don't just see the sights―get to know the people.

Unsuspecting outsiders often assume that Canadians are just like their American neighbors, if perhaps a little more modest. However, there is much more to it than that. Canadian society is a complex mosaic of distinct cultural identities that vary from province to province, and with high levels of immigration, it is one of the most multicultural societies in the world. The country's unique development through devolution, rather than revolution, affects the way Canadians view the world and their place in it, and numerous events of the last decade have challenged their self-image and tested its substance.

Culture Smart! Canada takes you to the heart of this diverse nation. It unpacks the key chapters in their history, describes the values that Canadians hold dear, and the attitudes that you are likely to encounter. It introduces you to the people and describes their way of life, at home, work, and play.

Have a more meaningful and successful time abroad through a better understanding of the local culture. Chapters on values, attitudes, customs, and daily life will help you make the most of your visit, while tips on etiquette and communication will help you navigate unfamiliar situations and avoid faux pas.