Helpful Hints

Here are some tips we would like to provide to you, based on our experience leading educational missions to various countries. Keep the below information in mind if you have the opportunity to explore the following countries in person:

Food Beverage Canada (FBC) recommends that you take the contact information for all embassies and consulates with you when traveling to foreign countries.

China

• Language:
  Learning a few key words or phrases in Mandarin can help you to establish a good relationship with Chinese businessmen.
• Eating:
  In China, you want to be careful about how you lay down your chopsticks(not straight up) and about how you leave your plate (leave some food on your plate so your host is reassured that he/she gave you enough).
• Bartering:
  Bartering for goods is common in China. If you are engaged in a negotiation, be aware of how much you are willing to pay for an object or service, and be prepared to walk away if your price cannot be matched.
• Punctuality:
  It is especially to arrive on time for business meetings and social events in China.
• Numerology:
  The number 4 is considered bad luck, while the number 8 is thought to bring good fortune.

• In a Strange City:
  It is advisable to obtain from your hotel a card with the hotel name and address written in Japanese and to carry it with you at all times.
• Public Transportation:
  In Japan you must purchase a ticket, feed it into a turnstile AND retrieve it before you leave the turnstile.  You will need it to exit the transportation system.  Taxis are expensive in Japan so check the price before you commit!
• Public Washrooms:
  Not all public washrooms are ‘western style’.  Japanese style bathrooms are equipped with a hole in the floor and are generally called squatters.  Hand towels are NOT provided so you must take a handkerchief or something suitable for drying your hands.
• Bathrooms in your hotel:
  Depending on your hotel you may find the flushing button is not part of your toilet as in we are used to but is located on a wall nearby.

Germany

Survival Tips

• Escalators
  The rule of thumb is “Stand of the Right; Pass on the Left”.  If you’re riding on an escalator and standing side-by-side with someone and blocking the left lane, expect to get scolded by somebody walking up the escalator behind you.
• Tipping
  Tipping at restaurants is optional because a service charge is included in the bill.  However it is customary to tip approximately 5% for larger amounts or about 10% for sums up to € 15. You tip your waiter/waitress directly as you are paying. It is unusual to leave the tip on the table after the bill is paid.
• Credit Cards
  Credit cards are not accepted everywhere. Especially supermarkets do not accept them due to the charges levied by the CC companies. Big department stores, large shops and upscale restaurants will usually accept CCs (at least those most widely circulated such as Mastercard, VISA, or Amex). If you want to make sure, ask before making a purchase.
• Money
  Selected stores, but all banks cash travelers’ cheques. You can get money with your credit card from ATM but please note that the PIN may have only four digits. Also there are no letters on the keypad, only numbers. You should therefore memorize the number combination rather than a letter combination of your PIN. 
• VAT and VAT Tax Refund
  Depending on what you buy, Mehrwertsteuer (abbreviation: MwSt.), meaning Value Added Tax, can be either 7% or 16%. This tax is always included in the price you pay and appears on the bill and receipt, respectively.
• Duty Free
  Duty-free sale of alcohol and tobacco products to people traveling within the European Union was abolished in 1999. A few alcoholic beverages are still offered in airport shops at lower prices, but not duty-free. Tax-free purchases are still possible; see below at "VAT" for more details.
  If you are coming from a non-EU country, you are allowed to take the following items to Germany with you: 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco; 1 liter of a beverage with more than 22% of alcohol or 2 liters of an alcoholic beverage with up to 22% of alcohol or 2 liters of sparkling wine; 2 liters of table wine; 500g of coffee or 200g of coffee extracts; 50g of perfume or 250ml of Eau de Toilette; Gifts with a value of up to €178.95.
  
  N.B.: Tobacco products and alcohol may only be imported by persons of 17 years or over; coffee only by persons of 15 years or over. Wine exceeding the limit of alcohol percentage will be taxed at 16%.