2.  What kind of clothing is customary?  Does my clothing have to be modest?  Will I look like a skank if I wear this in that country?  Along with this goes hairstyle.  In Korea, I shaved my head, 'cause frankly I didn't have much hair left.  Koreans didn't know how to "take it".  My adult students told me:  "In Korea, there are only two kinds of people that shave their heads:  those who protest...   and...  monks."  I said, "So, think of me as a monk."  They all laughed.  In China, I was told that there was no stigma against my chosen "head" style.  I don't know if they just told me that to be politically correct or what.

Also, along with clothing and hair style is facial hair.  I used to wear a goatee.  My adult students told me that in Korea, only "grandfathers" wore facial hair (and it was quite true).  So, it made me appear much older than I actually was.

3.  How do people greet in that country?  For instance, in Korea it is okay to shake hands with a man, but NOT with a woman.  Some international businesswomen may have overcome this social taboo when dealing with foreigners.  Also, in Korea, it is expected that one would bow to his/her superiors, or elders.  In China, I was surprised to find that this custom is no longer practiced.

It makes sense, though.  You see, although Confucianism started in China, it went out the window with the philosophies of communism (all are equal, none is above the rest).  Ironically, the three most Confucian countries are Japan, Korea, and Vietnam.  In those countries, bowing is still practiced.

4.  What is/are the main religion(s) of that country?  What role does religion play upon the culture of the country as a whole?  Is the country a theocratic one or a secular one?  What should I know about the religion and its place in the culture?  For example, in India, the Hindu belief in reincarnation has played a BIG role in the custom of abstaining from eating the flesh of any animal.  This, I was told, is as much a cultural thing as it is a religious thing.  My Indian friend told me that in India, only Muslims and foreigners eat meat.  While Indians respect the right of foreigners to eat meat, it wouldn't hurt to show a little reverence for the culture and eat like an Indian while living in India.

5.  Who is the leader/president of that country?  What kind of political system is in that country?  For instance, every time I tell an American that China is a full-blown democracy, they look at me with incredulous eyes and/or laugh out loud.  But, it is true!  China has elections for city, provincial, and national leaders.  While "the party" is alive and well in China, China is no longer a true communist country (which is an economic policy NOT a political one).  For example (case in point), China use to be democratic and communist at the same time (for a while there)  Communism is actually what Socialism should be.  Today, in Socialist countries, only some parts of the labor force is run by the government, whereas in a Communist country, the whole labor force is run by the government and wages are fixed.  For example, in Vietnam, I was told that every one earns 50 US dollars a month.  "It is the law!"  I was told in 1997 when I visited there.  China is no longer a communist country.  People are now allowed to own their own businesses and business is thriving.  It would be good if you didn't look like an ignorant fool about such things.

6.  How do I say that?  I would advise you to learn to pronounce the indigenous words & names of people and places of the country.  It would really score you some points with the locals if you could pronounce words and names correctly.  Korean pronunciation / Chinese pronunciation.

7.  What holidays or festivals are celebrated in that country?

Click here:  Korean & Chinese Holidays/Festivals

8.  What are the drinking and smoking customs of that country?

In Korea, you will NEVER see a woman smoke on the street.  It used to be forbidden even for a woman to smoke in public, but not so any more, just so long as it is in the pubs, taverns, and bars.  And by the way, when going to Korean "Hops" (Pubs), you have to order side dishes.  It is a requirement of the house.  Even dance clubs require you to order side dishes (which are quite expensive).  The only exception is when sitting at the bar (if there is a bar).

In China, men smoke whenever and wherever they dang-well please.  I've never seen a woman smoke in China.  I don't know why.  I never asked.  In China, you drink and eat your dinner at the same time.  Chinese like to drink hard and fast.  Takes a while to get used to it.  It's hard to refuse, they'll egg you on, but you have to be firm and set your limits.

9.  Do I have enough money?  Many people are lured to work in foreign countries and their bosses do not pay what they said they would, when they would.  Some people end up stranded in foreign countries with no money and no way to get home.  I suggest: "Bring a 'safety cushion' and don't leave it in your home."  I brought 600 bucks to hold me over till my first pay check, but someone robbed my home and took all my cash.  When arriving in the foreign country, get a bank account ASAP! and deposit your money there as emergency money, but make sure that the bank is federally insured.  In Vietnam, you don't have to worry.  All banks are owned by the government.  Need more advice like that? click here.

10.  Is the currency of that country traded internationally?  If not, you'd better get US dollars before leaving the country.  A friend of mine decided to go for a weekend trip from Korea to Japan.  He took only Korean money.  OOPS!  Korean money is worthless in any other country, for it is not traded in other countries!