Sarah A. Lanier

Although somewhat of a simplistic analysis, Foreign to Familiar provides a very practical set of questions to ask in any cross-cultural encounter. Distinguishing between hot and cold climate cultures, Lanier offers a key – mapped out through years of cross-cultural experiences – to understanding and navigating a variety of cultural traits: relationship or task oriented; direct or indirect communication; individual or group identity; inclusion or privacy; low and high context cultures. In show more addition to these, Lanier explores cultural differences in understanding time and hospitality. While clearly not a great anthropological work, it is an immensely useful and approachable book. B- show less

I found this book a bit simplistic and makes some sweeping assurances which aren't sufficiently nuanced… but someone who has little experience crossing cultures, this is a very useful book because it exposes how cultures often different in ways that might not be immediately recognized. Given this book is intended as a gentle introduction, I have given it four stars. For someone who is already used to thinking about cultural differences, this is just three stars… there are a few gems, show more some good summaries, but little you haven't read before. The core thesis of the book is that there are cold cultures (north america, western europe, etc) which tend to be task/time oriented. It's all about being efficient. There are other cultures which tend to be hot (southern continent, maybe most of the world) which tends to be event/relationally oriented. "Cold" cultures tend to favor direct communications, individualism, and privacy. Hot cultures tend to favor indirect communication (being super polite), thinking of self as part of a group, inclusion, open hospitality. The book also discusses informal/formal culture which tend to be more about how long the culture has existed and how much outside influence there has been than if the culture is hot or cold. show less

I didn't have a clue before reading this book. I just thought I did. It all makes sense to me now! Having a "cold climate" background, various "hot climate" friends and family often left me confused and bemused. An excellent bridge to understanding different cultures and the reason they are different. In the melting pot that is America, this should be required reading for EVERYONE! All teachers and politicians especially but also required reading for high school and college students. show more Misunderstandings can arise from the everyday little things that we take for granted and yet another culture does not. Do your part to promote world understanding and unity! Get this book! Easy to read and common sense (which is anything but common)!

(I notice that a lot of tags seem to belong to missionaries but this book has absolutely nothing to do with religion, no mention whatsoever, and everything to do with communication and understanding. So don't let the tags mislead you.) show less

Foreign to Familiar is a short book that introduces some differences between hot and cold climate cultures. The material presented is easy to understand theoretically, but more challenging to take on in a practical sense to relate to others in their own contexts. It’s worth reading more than once.