Faux Pas: The cross cultural issues of going overseas

Business travellers are repeatedly reminded and trained to be sensitive and aware of foreign cultures when travelling overseas......so if you travel for medical treatment, this awareness could be of even more value.

If we can better understand what makes the Indian or Thai or Japanese tick, we can get that small edge in business and relations.

With 45 million Americans without insurance, more Americans are travelling to places like India and Thailand to get high quality care at low prices. As they interact with doctors, service providers and other individuals, the ability to get good and great medical service may depend on how they can communicate and relate to the Indians or Thais overseas.

Its in the individual's best interest to educate and learn about the culture in the country they will travel to.

http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/travel/2007-08-23-faux-pas_N.htm

This link is to an article in todays USA Today about the faux pas that can easily derail a bussiness or personal relationship. In April, Richard Gere repeatedly kissed actress Shilpa Shetty on the cheek at an AIDS awareness rally in April in New Delhi, India, a country where public displays of affection are generally taboo. An Indian court issued a warrant for his arrest and irate protestors burned effigies of the actor. The warrant was later suspended.

Check out the above link for an interesting roundup of cultural issues when travelling overseas.