CultureShock! A Survival Guide to Customs and Etiquette…

CultureShock! is an essential range of guides for those travellers looking to truly understand the countries they are visiting, as well as for expatriates settling into a new assignment in a foreign land. Covering over 80 countries and cities each title explains the customs, traditions, social and business etiquette in a lively and informative style. The books have a friendly and honest writing style and are full of personal experiences, practical advice and useful information.

CultureShock! authors, all of whom have experienced the joys and pitfalls of cultural adaptation, are ideally placed to provide warm and informative advice to those who seek to integrate seamlessly into diverse cultures. Now a TV series! Taking the iconic series into the next level, CultureShock! is now a TV series programme airing on Channel News Asia (CNA).

Here’s some tips on customs and etiquette from CultureShock!:

CultureShock! Thailand provides a valuable crash course on the who’s who, and the what’s and how’s of the country, guiding readers through a wide range of topics for day-to-day living including how to interact with the local people and fit into Thai society. Full of humour and practical tips, a must-read for those intending to stay for any length of time in the Land of Smiles.

Do’s

• Do use a person’s first name, not the family name. Adults should be addressed as Khun unless a title is used.
• Do learn when, who and how to wai ( the Thai greeting which consists of a slight bow, with palms pressed together in a prayer-like fashion)
• Do treat royalty with the greatest respect. Do stand up when images of the king or royal family appear on the cinema screen.

Don’ts

• Don’t point your feet at anybody. Don’t step over anybody or anybody’s food
• Don’t touch hair and heads. If you do so by accident, excuse yourself.
• Don’t be surprised if your laundry is done by a man and he refuses to wash a woman’s underclothes.

CultureShock! United Arab Emirates orientates you into a country that is moving forward at a breathtaking pace unlike any other. The thriving economy attracts a large and diverse expatriate workforce, while luxurious hotels, spectacular skyscrapers and top-class shopping places continue to draw tourists from all corners of the globe. Beneath this cosmopolitan surface though is a culture deeply rooted in Arabic tradition and tribal values that continue to exist till this day.

Do’s

• Respect the local laws, culture and Muslim sensibilities of the UAE
• Shake hands with a person of the same gender as you. Men should allow an Emirati or Arab woman to decide if she will shake hands. Western women should err on the side of caution and not extend a hand to an Emirati man unless he extends his hand first.
• In business, schedule your appointments for the morning if possible and always carry business cards with English on one and Arabic on the other side of the card.

Don’ts

• Don’t wear a veil or the traditional dress if you are a non-Muslim woman
• Don’t discuss your humble origins; you will only embarrass yourself. Don’t boast of your achievements either. Fortune and unearned wealth are more greatly admired. Wait for them to ask.
• Don’t conduct business on Friday

CultureShock! Czech Republic allows readers to discover the rich history behind the country, from the Hapsburg era to the effect of Communism. Gain an insight into the local characteristics from the Czech love of nature to their musical inclination to their magical folklore.

Do’s

• Be modest. Czechs appreciate modesty and humility in a person. Arrogance, aggression and ostentation are frowned upon. Observe and recognise behavioural patterns, and try to align with them as much as possible.
• Try to recognise Czech sarcasm and dry humour. Czechs are good at making jokes out of virtually any situation. Try not to take yourself too seriously, and don’t take commentary too personally.
• Always toast your friends before taking the first swallow of the evening, and always look into your companion’s eyes when doing so. This is part of the ritual of drinking.

Don’ts

• When in somebody’s home, don’t talk too much about business and politics. Social situations are to be reserved for social matters, and there is a strong divide between work and play in the Czech Republic.
• Don’t be picky when in a pub or restaurant. Special requests are rare, so don’t, for example try to order a vegetarian version of a fish dish.
• In any business or social situation, don’t try to impose your cultural values or business principles upon your Czech friends or business associates. Instead, observe and demonstrate humility, but without pandering or flattery.

CultureShock! Beijing offers an insight into life within the Chinese capital. Home to more than 100,000 foreigners, it is no surprise that the city has been spawning modern buildings to accommodate the increasing economic activity. Ironically, many Beijingers still do not have running water in their homes and most of them are not able to afford the imported goods on sale at the new shopping malls. Nevertheless, the people of Beijing boast a rich culture which has been preserved through a long line of dynasties.

Do’s

• Do make an effort to learn and practise speaking Mandarin. You can improve only if you try.
• Do remember the concept of “face”. Learn how to give others face
• Do prepare business cards in simplified Chinese characters and keep plenty of them with you at all times.

Don’ts

• Don’t make fun of or criticise Chinese people and their customs
• Don’t wear clothing that is overly garish or revealing

Don’t drink tap water, eat uncooked vegetables or take other unnecessary health risks.