These pocket-sized Culture Smart guides can make the difference between dipping into culture shock in a new environment or feeling like a true world traveller. The British publisher, Kuperard, has created nearly 80 of these guides, and I was happy to accept the revised China guide to talk about for Indie Travel Podcast.

Because China is so vast and encompasses so many different areas–from bustling commercial Shanghai to northern rural areas and the controversial Tibetan Region, a pocket guide will not answer all of your questions.  The Culture Smart! CHINA book includes the diverse areas of Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau–but only a sentence or two for each. Since I have been to these three territories, the coverage seemed quite sparse.

Under the circumstances, there are bound to be omissions that bother someone familiar with the country, but the real measure is what the book does for a person not familiar with the culture. As I read, I took several pages of notes about mainland China, which I have not yet visited. Some of the comments, like “It is a good idea to watch what the Chinese people do in certain social and business situations and to try to behave in a way compatible with them” elicited a “Well, duh!” from me, others were new and helpful.

Useful tips for travelling in China

• Taboo issues: Tienanmen Square, Tibet and Taiwan are out as conversation starters unless you know people well.
• News reporting: Government control makes for gaps in people’s knowledge of the world.
• Pollution: The World Bank lists 16 of the 20 most polluted cities in the world in China.
• Patience: “It is not convenient” may mean “impossible.” Losing your temper or being impatient will make you a “foreign devil” in a hurry. That phrase, by the way, is used more in a joking way than as the former insult.
• Gifts: Reciprocal gifts are expected, but do not give a watch–very bad luck.
• Names: Call people by their title/occupation (like “teacher”) instead of by their first name unless you know them well.
• Behaviour: It’s okay to spit in public, but not to blow your nose.

I like the realistic view of China that the author takes. She focuses on the rapid changes that are happening in Chinese society. I appreciated that she did not present a “tourist’s China”, preserved in the ancient past– even though you can bet that all that change is a sign that an already complex culture will be even more confusing on the ground as you travel.

You will want to read more in other sources about the specific area you are visiting and your particular interests, and she suggests a few books and websites. This is not the only guide you will need for China, but it is a helpful addition to your travel info.

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This article was written by Vera Marie

Vera Marie Badertscher writes about books, movies and travel at A Traveler' Library.