Make the Chinese Etiquette Guidebook International

While China is preparing for an influx of tourists leading up to the 2008 Beijing Olympics, it has not neglected to prepare its own citizens for domestic and international travelling.

Most noticeable has been the launch of various behavioural campaigns, including the media-hyped Etiquette Guidebook. The guidebook, which was launched last year by the Spiritual Civilization Steering Committee of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, contains advice for Chinese tourists on how to behave, when travelling abroad.

The guidebook included advice such as “don’t spit”, “don’t litter” and “do not speak loudly in public”, according to international media.

I have yet to see the guidebook myself, so if you know where to get hold of it, please let me know. My motive for obtaining a copy is that I may try to turn it into an international etiquette guidebook. Because let’s face it, the Chinese are not the only ones, who could do with some friendly advice on how to behave while abroad!

To kick the process off here are my top 5 pieces of friendly advice to the international traveller:

• Don’t assume locals speak your language. At least ask, if they speak your language. How would you feel, if a tourist came up to you in your country and started blabbering on in a foreign language?
• Learn a few phrases in the local language. It doesn’t take much effort to learn how to say “thank you” at least.
• Dress appropriately. Think about it, would you walk into a shop dressed in only a bikini at home?
• Try the local cuisine. Why did you bother leaving your own country, if you’ll only eat what you have at home?
• Easy on the alcohol. Why grown men and women would waste hundreds of pounds on going abroad only to drink themselves stupid, is beyond me.

Feel free to add your own pieces of friendly advice in the comment box below.

Technorati Tags: travel, etiquette, behaviour, China

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