Put Your Best Foot Forward Asia: A Fearless Guide to International Communication and Behavior - Softcover

Über die Autorin bzw. den Autor

Mary Murray Bosrock is the author and publisher of the award-winning Put Your Best Foot Forward books, a premier series on international communication. Unique in style, Mary's books both inform and entertain as she shares her knowledge in a lively, concise and easy-to-read format.

Mary's inaugural book was Put Your Best Foot Forward-Europe, a guide to intercultural communication and behavior in eighteen European countries. The entire first run of 7,000 books sold out in eleven weeks. A 10,000 copy first run of the second book in the series, Put Your Best Foot Forward-Asia sold over 4,000 copies in the first month. Put Your Best Foot Forward-Mexico/Canada and Put Your Best Foot Forward-Russia were released in October, 1994. Put Your Best Foot Forward-South America was printed in June, 1997. Put Your Best Foot Forward-USA came out in April, 1999.

The books have been used and recommended by experts across the nation. Many leading publications, including USA Today, have recommended the series. Mary has appeared on many television and radio programs, including CNN Worldview and CNN Headline News.

Mary also speaks at conferences and conventions regarding her international experiences. Her audiences have included such prominent organizations as Arthur Andersen Co., Northwest Airlines, and the Association for Corporate Travel Executives. In particular, Mary talks about customs and practices around the world as well as culturally appropriate behavior in a variety of real-life situations.

Mary and her husband, Ronald M. Bosrock, have taken numerous trips throughout the world, entertaining and being entertained in some of the world's most interesting locations. They have traveled as both international business executives and diplomats, as Ronald has served as Honorary Consul General for Austria in the U.S. for more than 15 years.

As the eastern bloc countries were opening, Mary was working in Hungary, former Czechoslovakia, former East Germany, Poland and former Yugoslavia. Mary was in Berlin as the Berlin Wall was coming down. She worked in China during the evolutionary period of the 80's. In 1991 Mary was involved in planning and implementing a major seminar in Russia which led to the establishment of the U.S./Russian Information Resource Institute in Moscow, and is presently on the board of New Russian Enterprises. Mary was in Hong Kong for the "Hand-Over" ceremonies when Hong Kong was officially turned over to China.

Mary is a former international editor of Foreign Trade Magazine, a member of the National Speakers Association, and Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Masters of International Business School at the University of St. Mary's. From 1989 to 1994, Mary and her husband ran Bosrock & Company, Inc., an international investment and market services firm assisting U.S. companies doing business abroad.

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GIFT GIVING CEREMONY -Allow your host to present a gift first. -Do not open a gift in the presence of the giver unless you are asked to do so. -Write a thank-you note for any gift or entertainment offered to you. -Refer to the gift you were given during a later visit. -Never give a gift unexpectedly. Alert your host that you will be bringing a gift. -Give an individual gift in private. -Give a group gift during a scheduled meeting. -Present a group gift to the leader of the group.

TOILETS Squat toilets may be a hole in the ground or a porcelain fixture on the floor. In either case, be prepared to use a squat toilet in Asia. Some squat toilets will have a cover which must be removed before using. Squat facing the wall, toward the hooded end of the fixture.

Asia enjoys some of the world's finest and most modern hotels and restaurants with wonderful bath and toilet facilities. However, there are areas outside the major cities, in small shops, rural areas, and older, poorer homes which still have squat toilets. Newer homes may have ceramic flush toilets but still squat style.

Be aware: Squat toilets require you to squat. Avoid wearing pantyhose, tight pants, high heels or any clothing that restricts your ability to squat and can't survive a little contact with a not-so-clean floor.

Always take handi-wipes and tissue with you everywhere in Asia. Many toilets lack toilet paper, sinks, soap, etc.

If you find the use of a squat toilet difficult, don't feel alone. Many Asians find the new ceramic flush toilets just as strange and puzzling to use. In Japan, you may see a stick figure diagram on the wall in a restroom showing how to set or while using the toilet. It was reported that many Japanese broke their legs, arms and even hips attempting to climb up on the slippery ceramic toilets and falling off.