The Savvy Business Traveler’s Guide to Customs and Practices in Other Countries: The Dos and Don’ts to Impress Your Host and Make the Sale
So you jump off the plane ready to meet your foreign counterpart and close that big business deal. You are too far away to shake hands so you make a circle with your thumb and forefinger up into the air for all to see, meaning “OKAY!” - to you. There is a problem. We hope you are not in France where it means, “You are a zero,” or in Japan where it is a blatant symbol for money, or in Brazil where it is just plain vulgar.
Avoiding cultural gaffes such as these is critical to success in international business. Lack of familiarity with the business practices, social customs, and etiquette of any country can weaken your firm’s position in the market, prevent it from accomplishing its objectives, and ultimately lead to failure.
There are many nuances in communicating with people in other countries, just as there are in America. This new book will be the next best thing to living in a foreign country. It will introduce you to some of the more important cultural differences, based upon a country-by-country break down following an introduction offering insights from the author’s own world travel experiences. You will find country-specific information about business customs and protocol in fifty nations worldwide. You will understand business culture, successful communication, and social etiquette; what to expect at the dinner table, and how food relates to conducting business. With this book, you can proceed confidently through business deals that involve foreign travel, social contact, and negotiations.
Find out about proper gift-giving, business entertainment, and much more. Some of the cultural pitfalls detailed are stereotypes, personal space, forms of address, demeanor, restroom customs, tipping, social and business visits, greetings and introductions, names and titles, proper manners, proper conversations, business dress, clothing, telephone and computer use, dining, gift giving, smoking, gestures, numbers, calendar dates, time and temperature, holidays, religious information, developing relationships, being on time, and addressing women in business.
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The Savvy Business Traveler’s Guide to Customs and Practices in Other
Countries is an excellent resource for those thinking of visiting a foreign country,
especially if your purpose is business. The author believes if you wish to enjoy your trips abroad you need to learn about the culture, language and people of the counties you plan to visit. If your purpose is to conduct business, it is essential to know the customs and practices of the local area, or your efforts are likely to fail.
There were several things that I particularly liked about this book. It gives a good summary of world history. He tells how certain countries have been affected by past events, for example communist Russia, and why they are like they are today. Customs, behaviors, and manners are well explained. As an American I learned that many of my hand gestures, ways of dress, words, and other activities would be considered rude or even unacceptable in other countries.
Food and eating is something most people place great importance on. I knew after reading this book that I would not be able to tolerate the food in many foreign countries. He explains the menu choices (such as raw animal parts), eating customs and drinking habits. Many countries would be offended if you did not try their local specialties or have a drink with them. Particularly in a business setting. One point that he makes very clear is that in many countries business is not just business. You are expected to take part in and honor their customs.
He even addresses the question that many people might be hesitant to address, how toilets differ in some countries. The book covers all the major countries of the world, including the ones that are more Americanized, like Canada. The author is a world traveler and the book is generously sprinkled with his own personal experiences. The book is easy to read and understand, has some beautiful pictures, and ends by summing up the major points of the book. I would recommend it highly.
Comment by Margaret Norton — March 3, 2008 @ 5:23 pm
Forget useful, The Savvy Business Travel’s Guide to Customs and Practices in Other Countries was just a fun read. Oh, but the book is useful, anyway! Blacharski calls on his own extensive traveling experiences as well as some clear, careful research to create a wonderful and inclusive guide to international customs for the US citizen.
He give a good historical context for business worldwide to help the traveler avoid pitfalls of arrogance and ignorance so stereotypical of many US travelers. It begins with an analysis of how the US has interacted financially with the rest of the world as it became an economic power, and then shows how being centered on one particular nation or another in our global economy is foolish. He explains the necessity of being respectful to cultural customs and even encourages the business traveler to enjoy the differences as delightful grace notes in living.
While the book’s subtitle implies you’ll learn how to make cross-cultural sales, it deal considerably more with the actual customs of over fifty of the world’s dominant economic powers. Each chapter is broken down logically, explaining basic national attitudes towards business, social life and etiquette as well as explaining the cultural differences between that nation and the US. Blacharski also adds his own spin by telling amusing stories about his own gaffs in international travel. Many chapters include inserts of travel experiences by other Americans and how they related to particular cultures.
At less than 300 pages, much of the information should be considered an overview. The serious businessperson would do well to read the guide and then do additional research on the particular nation she intends to visit. However, the book is an excellent jumping off point.
Comment by Noel Lynne Figart — March 6, 2008 @ 10:25 am
All business travelers will benefit from Dan Blacharski’s years of traveling the world in The Savvy Business Traveler’s Guide to Customs and Practices in Other Countries. Readers will never again unintentionally make a rude suggestion or be the cause of a good laugh with the knowledge in this incredible book. Blacharski’s book features the dos and don’ts of making the sale in a foreign country.
This book guides the reader through the economics and opportunities, appropriate greetings, indigenous food, religions, etiquette, bargaining, deal making, and the common customs for an extensive list of countries, including Algeria, Argentina, Austria, Australia, Bangladesh, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Peru, the Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Venezuela and Vietnam. The advice in this remarkably detailed and unique guide will save the reader hours of impossible research. Just toss The Savvy Business Traveler’s Guide to Customs and Practices in Other Countries in your suitcase and head out for business success… anywhere in the world.
Comment by Stephanie Quinn — March 6, 2008 @ 6:22 pm
As one who has traveled overseas, I thank Dan Blacharski for the introduction to his book The Savvy Business Traveler’s Guide to Customs and Practices in Other Countries. He suggests putting away your American ego before you trip over it on the way to putting your foot in your mouth.
In fact, much of what he describes at first is simple good manners, which are sadly lacking on home soil as well: eat what you are served, follow your host’s lead, don’t chew gum, dress respectfully and be gracious. Not only is it polite, he reminds us, but it may make or break your deal.
The rest of the book addresses the customs of specific countries, a bit of historical background and a wealth of critical information that may save you from gravely insulting your foreign counterparts. Asia’s growth in the world economy makes understanding the very different culture of each region there even more important, and the author is a good tour guide.
Comment by Julianne Will — March 7, 2008 @ 5:13 pm
Loved this book! The author offers a glimpse of the world through a well-seasoned business traveler’s eyes. He breaks foreign business travel down by region and then nation, and offers amusing anecdotes of what to do and what not to do while in a foreign country.
Business decisions can be long, drawn-out affairs and can come down to how well you are perceived in respecting and accepting your host’s cultural differences. If you’re traveling to another country, take this book along to prepare yourself. You’ll get a brief explanation of economics, opportunities and the religions in that country, how to greet your hosts as well as what to do and what not to do while dining and socializing with them. If you’re served a sheep’s eyeball or bird’s nest soup, your reaction could make or break your deal. In addition to the unusual foods that you will encounter in foreign lands, the author provides tips on what to and what not to wear, warns of hand gestures that would mean the opposite of what you intended, and informs you that in some countries shaking the head from left to right doesn’t always mean no.
This guide is a must-read for the traveler who plans to make stops in several countries for his or her company. It’s also relevant for the pleasure traveler as well as right here at home when you are meeting or doing business with people of various nationalities.
Comment by Linda O'Dell — March 10, 2008 @ 5:36 pm
I believe this text is well worth its cost for anyone interested in world travel. It contains information that is general enough to survive decades of change in most countries (like the tip of women covering their arms and legs while in a Muslin country), but specific to regions and therefore fairly comprehensive. Although one might believe that the concept of graciously exploring and accepting a business host or partner’s culture, regardless of nationality, is a common sense one, this text proves that it may be something most executives unintentionally ignore. In this book, Dan Blacharski not only gives a straight-forward and easy to understand summary of how to accept a foreign culture during business deals, and why it is important, he breaks down specific regions by culture and country. Essentially, this book does your pre-business trip research for you. Granted, you’ll still need to figure out what the currency rate of exchange is, how to hire a cab or what the general local driving laws are, and other helpful nuggets. But this book gives you the all-important cultural guides.
Mr. Blacharski brings up the very important and often-overlooked fact that most of the world outside the United States of America mixes business with socializing. Therefore, it states, one should be prepared to sit with the host and talk at length about family, sample local cuisine, and partake in cultural activities with the host (such as karaoke in Japan), before any mention of the business deal is made. Perhaps the most helpful part of this book is the small tidbits, like how to respect religious beliefs for Muslims, or Hindus, or Buddhists, which may not seem apparent to a foreigner.
My largest complaint of this text, which in the larger scheme of things is trivial, is that the author presumes that the majority of American businessmen and women assume that “everything American is best”. Admittedly, I haven’t had a wealth of experience dealing with American business men and women from all over the nation, but I found it a bit odd that the assumption should be made in the first place. However, not all businessmen and women are adventurous and keen on experiencing foreign culture firsthand- it isn’t exactly a requirement to be a successful executive. In conclusion, I found this book to be very helpful and informative, not just to American salespeople traveling abroad for business, but also for anyone traveling to a foreign country in general.
Comment by Beth — March 10, 2008 @ 8:39 pm
Get My Laptop
This book is on target! The author, Dan Blacharski, has succeeded in giving the business traveler a handbook for the do’s and don’t of travel outside the U.S.
“The Savvy Business Traveler’s Guide” is a well organized, concise, and easy-to-read primer for the American business traveler. His information jived with my experiences traveling throughout Europe. The book is conveniently organized. It begins with an American’s introduction to the rest of the world, and Dan supplies just enough real-life humor to bring home his points. After his Introduction on business life outside the good-ol’e USA, he takes the business regions in order, beginning with China, Japan and India, Asia and the South Pacific, Central and Eastern Europe, Western Europe, The Americas, Australia, Africa and even the Middle East.
Each country is first introduced from a business perspective and then specific sections offer informative details on that country’s Economics and Opportunities, Greetings, Food, Religion, Etiquette, Bargaining and Deal-making. Other common customs unique to each country are also added, as well as on-the-mark traveler’s tips. He drives home the point that business and social life and even religion are often quite intertwined in these older societies, and he does this very well.
The author’s driving home the point that American’s will need to curb their ego may strike the rookie business traveler as presumptuous at first, but I believe it makes the guide an excellent tool when preparing to visit an unfamiliar country.
If you’re looking for an easy-to-read guide with all the main points necessary for a good business relationship in a foreign country, this is it! Well worth the 18 bucks!
Comment by kostas terss — March 12, 2008 @ 1:27 pm
Did you know that showing the bottom of one’s feet is considered rude or insulting in many countries? It is, and you wouldn’t want to make this serious faux pas if you were trying to land a business deal abroad. The author is a writer and world traveler and has done his research. If you want to know business etiquette and customs in Romania, or Poland, for example, they’re in this book. Another piece of advice: in Muslim countries, the use of the left hand should be avoided whenever possible.
The Savvy Business Traveler’s Guide to Customs and Practices in Other Countries – The Dos and Don’ts To Impress Your Host and Make the Sale covers religions, language, food, bribes, gift-giving, dress and etiquette for China, Japan, Indian, other Asian countries, Central and Eastern Europe, Western Europe, the Americas, and Africa and the Middle East. Bargaining and deal-making tips in each of these countries is discussed, along with common customs, making this a “must-have” book for a new or experienced business traveler. How else would you know that in Japan it’s rude to blow your nose in public?
Blacharski emphasizes that the most important element of being a successful business traveler is adopting an open attitude. “Being ‘all business’ is not going to work in most countries,” he says, and it’s important to know that food is often a big part of business (so be prepared to eat sheep’s eyeballs), along with alcohol.
Comment by Laura Gater — March 28, 2008 @ 11:23 am