Some travel do’s and don’ts in Asia

Traveling to a different region with a completely different culture can be a minefield for both tourists and for business travelers in particular. Hence, Forbes Traveler recent had an article plus an online slideshow of eight major travel taboos to be avoided. While not all of the taboos mentioned are a concern for travelers to Asia, below are some of the do’s and don’t that business travelers to Asian countries need to be aware of:

• Shoes and Feet – While many travelers might be aware of the taboo of showing the soles of your feet in Arab countries, they should be aware that Buddha also taught that the feet are the lowest part of the body in both a physical and spiritual senses. Hence, showing your feet or pointing them at someone in most of Asia is also considered to be an insult.
• Touching the Head – Likewise, Buddha taught that the head contains one’s soul. Hence, in most Buddhist countries, patting someone’s head is a major faux pas.
• Don’t Use Your Left Hand – In the Middle East, South Asia and parts of Africa, the left hand is used for sanitary practices. Hence, one must never touch food, goods in the market or strangers with it.
• Never Insult the Thai Royal Family – Thailand holds great reverence towards their king and doing anything that is perceived to be an insult towards the monarchy can lead to a jail sentence.
• Quiet that Nose – Although Korea and Japan are just neighbors to China, they have completely different attitudes when it comes to the sniffles. In Korea, even having a slight sniffle at the dinner table and you will be considered a barbarian while in Japan it is considered rude to use a handkerchief in public.
• Chopstick Etiquette – Chopsticks are meant to be used for eating, not for pushing bowls around the table or used to skewer or pierce food or to be played with. Moreover, never place chopsticks vertically in a bowl of rice as this will resemble incense used to honor the dead and hence, an invitation of death to the dinner table.

Keeping the above tips in mind on your next business trip to Asia will greatly help you avoid any major faux pas that could lead to more serious problems when it comes time to start negotiating that important business deal.