Going Dutch in Beijing or Wherever Else You Are Going

Planning a vacation to another country? There is a book that is worth reading before any international sojourn.

Children may probably want to vacation in a foreign country because they want to explore a different culture. Exploring new cultures can be fun for all families but they need to know that every country has its own rules and norms. This is where Going Dutch in Beijing becomes an important asset.

Going Dutch in Beijing is a book by Mark McCrum, who has visited six of the seven continents in the world. In this book, McCrum describes the cultural norms of numerous countries and gives the reader a guide on "how to behave properly when far away from home." Manners, hand gestures, phrases, and dinner etiquette are all discussed in the book.

The book jacket is already quite informative, as it describes three gestures common in the United States that can be interpreted differently abroad. The pointing of a finger is seen as rude in the Far East and Africa; a hand sign that could mean zero may also be a reference to "the filthiest part of the body."

What is amazing is that the book contains so much information without it being as unwieldy and as heavy as a phone book. Going Dutch is roughly the same size as a box for a DVD movie with a few millimeters added to the length, width and depth. The book is perfect to keep on hand in your carry-on bag so that you may read up on Chinese or Japanese customs during your long flight.

The early parts of the book feature chapters about greetings--how one should salute someone else in a different country. McCrum provides phrases in a multitude of languages, ensuring that, regardless of where someone goes, they will know how to conduct themselves properly without fearing any sort of reprisal from locals.

While the beginning of the book focuses on how to say "hello," much of the middle addresses other aspects, such as marriages, funerals, and business meetings.  Teens will probably be less interested during this part of the book--especially when reading about business-meeting etiquette--but their parents may be more interested to read these sections. The end of the book appropriately ends with ways to say "goodbye" in other languages as well as ways to tell people you are leaving non-verbally (because the American way of waving with palms facing outward may be deemed offensive in other cultures).  This book is recommended for teens as it contains some language (particularly within the section on slang) younger readers may not understand and should not be exposed to.

This book is a great travel companion (perhaps it can even be deemed compulsory reading before international travel) and you will probably not want to leave home without it. Adults, particularly those who go on frequent business trips to other countries, will enjoy this book, too.  It can almost be guaranteed that anyone reading this book will learn something new.

Going Dutch in Beijing is published by Henry Holt and Company and has a list price of $22 ($24 in Canada). Upon reading this book, you will likely gain a wealth of knowledge regarding why so many people wear white socks with sandals in China or why you shouldn't give someone two thumbs up in Iran. You might even forget what manners were appropriate in the United States. And if you're wondering what "Going Dutch in Beijing" actually means, pick up a copy of the book and find out.