The Traveler's Guide to Asian Customs and Manners : How to Converse, Dine, Tip, Drive, Bargain, Dress, Make Friends, and Conduct Business While Asia

Rating:
Summary: Fantastic all-in-one guide to Asian customs
Review: I purchased an earlier edition of this book back in the late eighties, and since then have referred to it time and time again prior to traveling to an Asian country for the first time. The book covers almost all Asian countries from Japan to India, and for the most part has been right on the money in its descriptions of the countries where I have worked or visited (Korea, Thailand, Phillipines, China, Australia). A chapter is devoted to each country with sections covering public/private behavior, meals, table manners, general business practices, etc. There are lists of dos and don'ts for the reader to follow, and advice on hotels, restaurants, tipping, transportation, and dress as well. It makes for interesting reading on different cultures even if one does not intend to travel to Asia anytime in the near future. Although whole books could easily be written on this topic for each country, this one covers the most important items in a well-organized manner.