How to Be a Perfect Stranger (5th Edition): The Essential Religious Etiquette Handbook Paperback – Enhanced, November 1, 2010

I bought this book on the recommendation of a friend who always knows how to behave in our extremely multicultural circle of professional colleagues and friends. It's well organized and gives straightforward guidance -- particularly detailed information about the significance of and practices during major religious celebrations and rites of passage in a wide variety of traditions. It also gives excellent advice about what to wear (and what NOT to wear) plus the sorts of gifts would be welcome and appropriate.Unfortunately, more ethnic and social questions about going to dinner, gift-giving, and the like don't really fall within its aims so I've had to come up with my own, better-educated guesses -- and asked more advice from my more sophisticated friend.

The book gave a general view of the various religions regarding basic background of the religion, service and dress along with specific holiday or observances of the faith. I gave 4 stars as I felt that the dress code was repeated for each religion outlined in the book.

This book tells you what is expected of you, the visitor, at any of the major world religions' ceremonies - weddings, funeral, worship. It's all there. You can't make a mistake if you take this information to heart. I love that I added it to my shelf of sacred readings.

I had a copy of this wonderful book years ago and just bought a replacement copy. As an interfaith minister I found this to be very informative. When performing interfaith weddings or funerals this book is useful when speaking with couples about particulars they would like to include surrounding customs.

This book is JUST about religion. I thought it covered more of the culture

I have used my copy a lot as a guide. After seeing mine, a friend, who is clergy like me, asked for a copy as a gift. It's been useful for visiting interfaith and ecumenical events.

VERY INFORMATIVE.

This book is a great "go to" . has lots of valuable information, plus they update it to keep the info fresh.