The Savvy Business Traveler's Guide to Customs and Practices in Other Countries: The Dos & Don’ts to Impress Your Host and Make the Sale

Here world traveler, author of six books, and professional freelance writer, Blacharski ([...]) attempts to provide mostly business travelers from the United States but also Americans traveling abroad for pleasure with a comprehensive, concise guide to the business customs and practices in over 40 different countries worldwide. Dividing his book into seven sections, in chapters one through four, Blacharski first offers some sound advice to American business travelers. He stresses that in foreign countries business is never just business but may be personal and involve an understanding that business is about more than the bottom line. It may involve eating and drinking the oftentimes difficult- to- stomach foods and beverages of host countries. Blacharski advocates adopting an open attitude and willingness to try to assimilate with foreign cultures. Courteous business travelers also will attempt to learn a few words of the languages in which their foreign business counterparts converse as well as respect local customs and practices regarding bribes, gifts, religion, etiquette, and more. The author extrapolates on how a little common sense goes a long way toward being courteous and successful. He emphasizes that in the global economy, the American "way" is being displaced by many ways about which knowledge and insight are needed. The remaining sections of Blacharski's guide cover the business customs and practices in various geographic areas of the world-- Asia and the South Pacific, Central and Eastern Europe, Western Europe, the Americas, and Africa and the Middle East--while separate chapters examine the business dos and don'ts in specific countries or in the case of South Africa, regions. Each chapter includes sections on the economy, greetings, foods, religions, etiquette, business practices, and common customs. Traveler's Tips interspersed throughout the text as sidebars present the first-hand experiences and advice of Blacharski and others. Not exhaustive in scope or depth and seemingly based upon the author's first-hand experiences, Blacharski unfortunately omits many countries to which U.S. travelers may embark. Some of the more important countries not covered include Cambodia, Myanmar, Singapore, Nepal, Yugoslavia, Albania, Bulgaria, Costa Rica, Panama, Ecuador, Cuba, Morocco, Tunisia, Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Iraq, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Afghanistan, and more. A bibliography of print and Internet resources should be added as well as appendices and a glossary defining unfamiliar cultural and religious terms. Finally, while the pictures accompanying this publication are attractive, they should be in color and appropriately placed at the beginning of chapters rather than at their ends. A useful but not definitive, authoritative guide to world business etiquette, travel, intercultural communications, and corporate cultures, this book will serve as a starting point for many travelers. Recommended for general business audiences and many public library collections.

The world is a stage and we are but mere actors upon which scenes are played out; but, the world traveler, they are the star of the show. As tourists, you have the basic language barrier in trying to locate lodging, food, and bathroom facilities. Let's take that up a notch and add business transactions to the equation. The business person can run across many disorienting situations beyond the norm as business in other countries is not treated the same as it is in America. That is not to say that their practices are wrong, but simply that most countries incorporate various cultural traditions into their daily meetings and to ignore such customs could put you in ill favor.In "The Savvy Business Traveler's Guide to Customs and Practices in Other Countries", author Dan Blacharski addresses the "fact" that Americans take to heart..."business is just business". For many around the world, this is simply an untruth. Many societies not only have dialect that can easily make the most confident businessman stumble, but they have specific mannerisms by which they conduct their dealings. Did you know that in some cases simply turning down a glass of wine during your business lunch may sabotage your negotiations? Or how about giving extra money to an immigration official to get through the thirty minute line in only ten minutes? You may be simply faced with the decision of whether or not you should "air kiss" your new business associates or forgo this gesture for a simple handshake. Whatever the situation may be, you are bound to find many helpful hints within this book; so many in fact, you may just want to bring a copy with you for reference as you travel from place to place.For those well-traveled souls that have been lucky enough to experience many of the places mentioned first hand to those still waiting for fortune to smile upon them, this book has tips and pointers for all. Filled with personal anecdotes, you find yourself smiling, even laughing, at some of the pitfalls encountered by the author and his acquaintances making it a more personal experience for the reader, while the organization of countries by chapter gives you the chance to reference back as often as needed. Mr. Blacharski allows you to step into his shoes to see the world beyond American borders, whether they be customs, styles, or business practices. While acknowledging the American mentality of "we're number one" superseding our practical senses at times, this creative work will certainly open your eyes to the new "Global Way".