Asian Business: Customs and Manners

Author: Mary Murray Bosrock
Publisher: Meadowbook Press (Simon & Shuster), 2007
ISBN: 10: 0-684-05200-8

Reviewed by Terrance Malkinson

Products, money and people transcends borders. The career savvy individual will take the time to become informed about other countries, their cultures and ways of doing business. Asia is the world’s largest continent, containing almost 60 percent of the world's population. Asian economies are growing rapidly and its cultures and customs differ considerably from what we in the Western World may be used to. In addition, many Asians are working in the United States, so to facilitate a good working relationship, it is important for both sides to recognize and respect their cultural differences. Mary Murray Bosrock's comprehensive 372-page book, Asian Business: Customs & Manners, provides the information necessary for success when interacting with Asian business counterparts. The book is divided into two parts.

Part one begins with a short chapter entitled “How to Go International," emphasizing the importance of avoiding generalizations, showing consideration and respect, concluding with “Ten Commandments of Visiting Asia.” Chapter Two provides general information on Asia, and the challenges it faces. Chapter Three, “General Rules: What to Know and How to Behave,” provides an excellent overview of information for presenting yourself well and getting the job done in almost every situation that you might encounter. Some of the topics covered include: greetings, language, dining, entertaining, manners, punctuality, dress, gifting, corporate culture, and interfaith etiquette to name but a few. In general, the book's content is presented in a very efficient bulleted format which makes for a very accessible, reader-friendly format.

Part Two covers country-specific information, as practices vary not only among Asian countries but also within each country. Each country's overview is extremely thorough and, again, reader-friendly.

Mary Murray Bosrock is a writer, lecturer and well-known expert on cross-cultural communication, the author of many books, and international traveler and speaker. For anyone who deals with international clientele and markets, Asian Business: Customs and Manners will be a valuable addition to your library.

 

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