Kiss, Bow, or Shake Hands

We may be living in a global economy but customs still differ from one country to the next. Whether you’re traveling for business or pleasure, you don’t want to worry about offending anyone, and your stay will be much more productive and pleasurable if you’re familiar with the culture of the country you’re visiting. In fact, taking the time to learn what’s okay and what’s not is more than polite—it’s a way to show your respect.

Kiss, Bow, or Shake Hands is an invaluable paperback guide to the do’s and don’ts of 60 countries throughout the world. I own and use it myself and found it extremely helpful when I traveled to Hong Kong and Japan. Although written primarily for business travelers, the concise, straightforward information is equally useful for vacationers.