Bill Belew has raised 2 bi-cultural kids, now 34 and 30. And he and his wife are now parenting a 3rd, Mia, who is 8.

Chinese Traveller

Now before any Chinese readers get their underwear tied in a knot, note that these recommendations were posted in the Shanghai Daily. Meaning, it is not me that is saying Chinese are rude, uncouth, loud or whatever.

Here are 13 recommendations for Chinese who plan to travel overseas. The recommendations are based on feedback from other countries combined with an online survey that got more than 30,000 responses.

1. Don’t spit – the tourist might want to avoid the deep guttural sound that precedes the expectoration as well.

2. Don’t litter – if you pack it in, then pack it out is the motto of mountain climbers.

3. Please do line up – this should be closely followed by ‘wait your turn’ also. Also, lined up means one line going to one window, not many lines from different directions heading for the same clerk with your line going first.

4. Please do flush the toilet after use – do adults still need to be told this? Seems so.

5. Don’t talk loudly – to your partner who is right next to you, on your cell phone. If you want someone in China to hear you, call them, don’t try to yell across the Pacific.

6. Don’t smoke in no smoking areas – no smoking signs are there for a reason…and usually smokers are the reason.

7. Don’t block the sidewalk – there are people behind you. Don’t walk side by side and prevent others from moving on.

8. Don’t use bed sheets, towels and such for unintended purposes. Hotel shoes are not for shining shoes or washing your rent-a-car. And the items belong to the hotel. They are not carried out.

9. Don’t dress improperly – Men – keep your shirts on! Women – no pajamas in supermarkets or on the street. That doesn’t mean going nude!

10. Don’t remove shoes and socks in public places – airport terminals, train stations, malls and such.

11. Don’t take pictures – in museums and art galleries. Just because a person can get away with it, doesn’t make it right. Still Chinese tourists are reported to do this repeatedly and secretly.

12. Do let ladies go first – yep, that courtesy really is extended in the west.

13. Do respect the rights of the locals – locals are not yours to mold and pose in photos as you, please.

Why is it that Chinese as well as Americans, Japanese and people from most any country so often leave their sense behind when visiting a foreign country?

What do you think?

Talk to Bill and others about their experiences raising bi-cultural Japanese-American kids.