You've been sent on a business trip to Japan to negotiate a merger. You know you'll be invited to people's homes and will be expected to conduct yourself in a manner that won't embarrass the company. What do you do? What do you wear? Will you shake hands or be expected to bow? Can you discuss politics, or is that a no-no?

This book attempts to help the business traveler conquer the anxieties of putting your best self forward in a foreign country. You'll learn a brief history of the country, how the citizens act, what qualities are important to them, and how they like to negotiate. You learn what insults them, the importance or nonimportance of punctuality, and what to do if invited to someone's home. Even small gestures are covered, so you know whether to shake hands, or to avoid the "peace" sign, which is offensive in some places.

Though tailored towards the business traveler, any traveler to foreign parts can appreciate the tips in this book. ( )