Things to Remember with Asian Visitors

Age
Age is often linked to status in hierarchical cultures. The older you are the higher rank you should have achieved (or wisdom acquired) and thus the greater status and respect you should be shown.

Airconditioning
Visitors may not understand airconditioning controls in rooms. Special explanations may be required.

Airport
Airports are generally seen as last minute shopping opportunities.

Alcohol
Alcohol drinking patterns differ from country to country and often wine is not drunk with meals. Rather, beer, whiskey and brandy are more popular beverages.

Appreciation of wine is starting to develop in Japan, Singapore, Korea and Thailand.

Anger
Anger indicates loss of physical and emotional control. All verbal and non-verbal expressions of anger or displeasure should be minimised - even if they are not directed towards the visitor.

Apologies
Different cultures view apologies differently. The Japanese expect them, but other cultures may use an apology to gain some sort of an advantage. Apologies should be formally made, appear sincere and be unconditional for both sides.

Authority
Respect for age and authority is common in most Asian cultures. Male figures are usually given more respect. Men are the individuals with higher status, as most (but not all) Asian cultures have varying degrees of patriarchy (male dominated societies).

Bargaining
Bargaining is often a common practice in many Asian societies. It is important to establish with the visitor if bargaining will be permitted, and under what conditions. If prices and/or conditions are fixed, then this must be formally, politely and firmly stated.

Baths/Showers
Visitors may take frequent baths or showers and require extra towels.

Visitors may take showers with shower curtains outside the bath, wetting the floor. Shower curtains should be placed inside the bath prior to room being occupied.

On very rare occasions, Japanese or Korean visitors may try to bathe as they do in their own countries: washing outside the bath and then soaking in the bath. This may cause a wet bathroom floor area.

Beckoning
Beckoning is generally not a gesture conducted towards guests or those of higher status. If you must beckon, however, use your right hand, palm down.

It is preferable to go to the person and greet them (if possible by name and title) personally.

Beds
Asian visitors, including newlyweds, often prefer two twin beds to one queen or king sized bed in their room.

Body Language
Reading correctly the different 'body languages' of Asian visitors may be difficult - as reading yours will be to them. Keep movements, gestures and expressions to a minimum. Body language - intended or not - can have a meaning to an Asian visitor, but is it the meaning you wish to give?

Buffet & Self-Service
Buffet and self-service style dining may be new to some Asian visitors. They may be unsure of queuing practices and the etiquette involved in being able to go back to taste the various courses of food in the buffet. Older visitors or visitors of high social status may dislike having to queue. Please take time to explain this concept to the Asian visitor.

Cashiers
Money matters are possible areas of conflict. It is important that all charges be patiently explained, and all questions politely answered. A conflict or misunderstanding could result in a loss of face for the visitor (or for the venue).

Chopsticks
Japanese and Chinese use chopsticks for eating rice, with the remainder of Asia using spoons for rice (main meal) and chopsticks for noodles.

Colours
Colours have special meaning in Asia, especially in China, Japan and Korea. For the Chinese in particular, white, black and blue are funeral colours, red and pink are considered 'happy' colours, and gold and green are 'prosperous' colours.

Communal Dining
Most visitors from Asia are used to communal dining, with each diner having a separate plate or bowl (usually filled with rice) and communal plates of main or side dishes from which they serve themselves. Japanese and Korean visitors have experience with this style of dining when eating Chinese food in restaurants, but prefer separate dishes for each diner.

Condiments
With the exception of Japan, most Asian visitors enjoy highly spiced foods (Japanese prefer salty to spicy). Sauces and condiments available should reflect these preferences.

Conflict
It is an aspect of most Asian cultures avoid direct conflict with others. At these times, "yes" may mean "no" and "maybe". "Perhaps" or "it is difficult" can mean "no".

Many Asian visitors will 'agree' with something, even though they do not, to avoid conflict.

Contact Who?
If approaching/contacting a group, direct your conversation towards the eldest male member of a group unless/until an appointed representative comes forward.

Cooking
The Japanese prefer beef steak not too well cooked (i.e. medium or medium-rare). However, most Chinese prefer their meat and eggs well cooked.

Cutlery
Many Asian visitors will not be used to Western cutlery, especially knives to cut meat dishes (dishes are usually served pre-cut into bite-sized pieces). Forks and spoons are common utensils in Southeast Asia, and are placed on the table with the fork on the left side of the plate and the spoon on the right.

Dairy Foods
Other than in Japan and India, dairy foods are not common in Asia, although this is changing as national tastes change. Milk is rapidly becoming popular, and is accepted by a growing number of the young in Asia, but yogurt and cheese are only slowly gaining in popularity.

Dining Habits
Dining habits and manners differ from country to country, culture to culture. Some cultures may appear to have noisy eating habits, such as loud chewing or slurping of soup/hot drinks.

Dining Restrictions
Both religious beliefs and common dining practices may affect what - or how - a visitor may eat.

Hindu
Hindu visitors do not eat beef or beef products, and may be vegetarian. Many Hindus will not consume alcohol.
Muslim
Muslim visitors do not eat port or pork products, preferred meat slaughtered according to Islamic tradition (halal) and may not consume alcohol.

Discounts
Discounts and/or additional complimentary items are appreciated by Asian visitors as they 'give face' by acknowledging a visitor's status.

Discounts and the offering of discounts are often seen as a 'face' issues. By offering a 'discount' you are giving the purchaser 'face'. Or, if somebody is sent to you by somebody else, the offering of a discount can mean that you are giving 'face' to the referee.

If you refuse to give a discount to someone who has been referred to you, and you gave a discount to the first person, then you are taking away face from the second person.

Doors
When checking out, visitors may leave room doors open.

Eye Contact
Direct eye-to-eye contact is not usual in many Asian cultures. Brief contact is more common, as eye-to-eye contact is often seen as challenging.

Facial Expressions
Facial expressions and other 'non-verbal' gestures (body language) may have different meanings to different cultures.

Food Portions
Asians are not used to eating large portions and sometimes are unable to finish a three course meal. Precaution guests not to over-order and explain the quantity served for some meals.

Formality
Formality should be maintained at all times. If you are informal, it means you do not recognise or acknowledge a person's status/rank and can cause them to lose face (or you to lose face).

Garbage
Visitors may leave a lot of garbage in the room.

Gift Giving
Often it is a custom of many Asian countries for overseas visitors to bring back souvenirs for family, friends and co-workers.

Greetings
Visitors should be (formally) received and welcomed by a representative of the establishments.

Handing/Receiving
The handing and receiving of items should be done with both hands or in some instances one hand, right hand forward.

Jokes
Jokes may be misunderstood and any misunderstanding may lead to loss of 'face'. Jokes should never be made about individuals, food being served or situations.

Laundry
In hotels, Asian visitors will often wash their personal laundry and dry them outside their rooms on the balcony.

Lamb & Mutton
Lamb and especially mutton, is often considered "strong smelling" by some Asian visitors, notably visitors from Thailand and Japan. Subsequently it is not a preferred meat.

Menus
Visitors may not be able to understand English language menus. This may be of concern to visitors with dining restrictions.

Names-What's in a name?
A lot if you are doing business in Asia. The use of names and modes of address differs widely across Asia. Different cultures have different name structure. Some put surname first, some put surname last. The correct surname, and how to pronounce it, should be determined early. Other cultures do not have surnames and some don't differentiate titles between men and women. A phrase to forget is "What is your Christian name?", as rarely are Asian visitors Christian. Married couples may not have the same surname.

Name Cards
For those in management or positions of authority, name cards in Asia (especially with Japanese and Koreans) are essential items of personal and professional identification. The giving and receiving of name cards should be done in a respectful manner (presented and received with both hands), never written upon, and never placed in a back pocket.

Numbers
Numbers have special meaning in many Asian cultures (especially in Chinese societies). Four (4) and ten (10) are considered 'unlucky' numbers as their pronunciation is similar to "death", while eight (8) and six (6) are considered 'lucky' numbers. In Japan, for example, even though the normal household consists of four people, four items are not packaged together to make a set - five items usually make a set.

Packaging
Items should be wrapped and/or placed in bags with care and concern. The packaging is sometimes as important as the item itself, especially if the item is to be given as a gift.

Paying
The 'host' usually pays: Going 'Dutch' is not common.

Physical Contact
Physical contact, especially between opposite sexes, should be avoided as Asian cultures tend to be conservative in this area. The head should never be touched. Do not be surprised if men hold hands or the arms of other men, or women with women - there is usually no sexual connotation involved.

Pointing
Never point with your finger to a person. Pointing should always be done with an open (right)hand, palm up, in a controlled gesture. Never use your feet or head to point.

Punctuality
The concept of 'being on time' varies between Asian cultures. Chinese, Japanese and Korean visitors are generally punctual, while Thai, Filipino, Malay, Indonesian and Indian visitors have a more relaxed attitude towards time.

Queuing
Queuing practices differ from culture to culture and some Asian visitors may be unaware of accepted Australian practices. Patient explanation may be required.

Rice
Rice is the staple food for most of Asia. Each country has its preferred 'style' of cooked rice. Japanese, Chinese and Korean visitors prefer shorter grain 'wet' cooked rice. Visitors from Southeast Asia and India tend to prefer dryer, long grain, cooked rice. "Instant" rice should never be served to visitors as it tastes undercooked.

Right Hand
The right hand should be used to point, hand over or receive items. The left hand is considered unclean as it is used for toilet purposes in some societies.

Room Allocation
With Asian groups, the most luxurious/larger rooms should be allocated to the highest status/oldest person of the group.

With business groups, the more senior (most senior) members of the group should be given better rooms, or rooms on a higher floor: Groups should be accommodated on the same floor where possible. Rooms should be allocated by status/rank, not entirely by best usage.

Room Service
When ordering room service, Asian visitors may not mention that they would like Asian sauces or condiments with their order, even if they do. Asian visitors also may not complain if an order is incorrect, it is best to check an order before delivering it to the room.

Seating
Seating of visitors has a meaning for some visitors. An invited 'guest' or the highest status person of a group should be seated facing the entrance.

Sex
Asian societies are generally more conservative than Australia's, therefore reference to sex or sex tourism will not be well received by visitors.

Shoes
Asian visitors will often take off their shoes when entering their room. It is not necessary to imitate them.

Silence
Silence is often used as a means of communication, perhaps indicating a negative response. Silence is used in this manner when the person being silent does not want to cause loss of face by directly stating a negative answer.

Silence can also mean a person is thinking, as a decision may have consequences for the visitor that you are not aware of - especially if his/her decision involves others in a group. It is not necessary to fill voids with words: Wait to suggest alternatives and take care not to force a decision.

Sinks
Some Asian visitors may bring food from their home countries with them and will use the bathroom sink to prepare their food.

Smiling
Smiling or laughing may not mean happiness, they could mean nervousness instead. The use of phrases like "Thank you" and "Please" is not common with many Asian cultures, often a smile is given instead.

Smoking
Many male (and an increasing number of female) visitors from Asia smoke. Smoking in bed is not unusual. A sufficient number of ashtrays should be available in the room These visitors may be unaware of Australian smoking rules and practices.

Smorgasbord
Otherwise known as 'buffet' or 'self-service' style dining is a concept not commonly known to many Asian visitors and very easily misunderstood. They may be unsure of queuing practices, and older visitors, or visitors of high social status may dislike having to queue. They may also be unaware that this style of dining involves one cost which allows the diner to go back and fill their plate as many times as desired.

Status/Rank
Almost all Asian cultures are hierarchical, and thus status and rank conscious. Additional respect and (professional) treatment is expected as a matter of course for these individuals.

Achievement is respected in Asia. 'Tall Poppies' are shown great respect and are held up as examples for others to emulate.

Souvenirs
When buying souvenirs, many Asians like to purchase Australian made products of good quality and appearance.

Telephoning
Telephone operators should be patient and speak slowly to visitors.

Tipping
Tipping is not a standard practice. If offered a tip refuse it initially then accept with thanks if offered again. The same procedure should be used if gifts are presented.

Titles
Titles, such as Mr, Mrs and Miss should always be used, as should professional or religious titles.

Toilets
Toilets are viewed as 'wet areas' in South East Asia, with water used instead of toilet paper. This may result in water being splashed around the cistern area.

Visitors may be unused to the different disposal of female hygiene items in Australia, such as tampons and sanitary napkins and dispose of them directly into the toilet.

Toothpicks
Toothpicks should be placed on dining tables

"Yes" & "No"
Saying "yes" may not mean yes for many Asian visitors. "Yes" may simply mean "I hear what you are saying", rather than indicating an affirmative answer.

Saying "no" is often difficult for many Asian visitors to do - even if they want to say no. If they (or you) say "no", they/you may be setting up a situation where somebody may lose face. Often the word "difficult" is used instead of "no" (as in, "It is difficult"). With Asian visitors, often it is more polite to say "I'm sorry, but I don't think that we will be able to...." instead of simply saying "no"