The Asian Pacific region is a medley of religions - Islam, Buddhism, Taoism, Hindu and Christianity - and races - including Indian, Chinese, European, Malay and Indonesian. Despite the mix of east meets west, however, all those influences and origins mean it's easy to make mistakes when it comes to doing business or interacting socially. Embarrassment, though, could be the least of your problems if a social gaffe loses you and your company a valuable contract. The gift of alcohol, for example, that goes down well with an Australian host would be considered insulting by a Muslim living in Singapore.

A wise traveller will research his or her hosts, or clients, before stepping into this potential minefield, looking not only at cultural influences but at historical, religious, racial and social ideals too.

China's culture dates back more 4000 years and many of the modern world's cornerstones, paper, gunpowder, credit banking and paper money, originated there. Life is conducted according to Confusianist principles, with duty, sincerity, loyalty, honour, piety and respect for age and seniority at its foundation. Many Chinese look to the ground when greeting someone and staring directly into a person's eyes can be considered rude. Business is very formal, with silence being used to indicate disagreement.

Singapore is one of the world's most prosperous places, where citizens enjoy the highest standards of living, but that hasn't dented the importance of family and respect for elders, so always show deference to the most senior people in a room. Retaining face is important to maintaining a harmonious relationship, so while Singaporeans are tough negotiators, they're unlikely to say no, directly. They believe a calm attitude is superior to aggression so losing your temper can damage your standing both socially and economically.

Giving gifts in Hong Kong is a delicate, intricate and important practice but it's also packed with pitfalls. Books are seen as a curse by gamblers (and there's a big gambling culture in this territory), while unwrapped gifts are considered rude. Negotiations often take place over cups of tea. Be prepared to accept, no matter what you think of the beverage. Punctuality is very important, so make extra effort to arrive on time and if you are unavoidably late apologise profusely even if it isn't your fault.

Australia's indigenous inhabitants, the Aborigines, still struggle to make an impact in an economy where 99 per cent of the population is made up of people of European or Asian descent.

British-born Guy Venables based his business Look Production in Sydney and has clients throughout the Aspace region. "Generally business in Australia is informal but do not be fooled by the friendly approach - it's not by charm and friendliness that the Packers and Murdochs of this world got to the top. Australian business is tough but fair. If you are smart and know the game and play well you will succeed," he counsels.

Australians like sincerity and modesty and loath pretentiousness and pushiness. They prefer to be on first name terms and can be quite direct in communications, telling you if you cause them offence. They may use colourful language considered unthinkable in most circles.

Dos and don'ts

• Don't be offended if a Chinese dining companion slurps and belches at the table, these are gestures of appreciation.
• Remember in Muslim culture men do not touch women in public, so don't be surprised if the greeting "Salaam" is offered instead of a handshake, or simply a nod of the head and a smile exchanged.
• Have business cards printed in English on one side and Chinese on the other. Gold characters are auspicious. Have your job title included to show where you fit into your company's hierarchy.
• If you're giving to a Chinese businessman or host, clocks, flowers and anything blue or white are associated with death while blankets are thought to cause a drop in the receiver's prosperity, so beware!
• An invitation to an Australian home may well be to a barbecue or "barbie." Bring wine or beer as a gift - though the most informal may require you to bring your own meat and an expectation of help in preparation or clearing up.
• Don't admire ornaments or pictures in your Chinese hosts' home, they may feel obliged to give them to you.
• If you're taking a gift to a Chinese businessman or host, it's likely to be refused three times when you offer it, to show that the recipient isn't greedy.
• Learn how to use chopsticks. Though western cutlery is usually available, the correct use of chopsticks is often noted and appreciated.
• A 50-year-old businessman or woman is likely to be highly regarded in most Aspace countries - so take your most senior employees to negotiations and you'll immediately have an advantage.

With the British alone spending nearly 3.5 million nights in Germany a year, it's clearly a place tourists love to visit. On the list of its charms are the biggest waterfall in Europe, which is near Konstanz in Neuhausen; the largest pub in the world at Munich - 5500 people can sup a pint there and if that were not enough, Munich also boasts the Augustiner Garden, the world's largest public beer garden with space for 5200 people. If you've made up your mind to visit the country stop off at Sassnitz where you can see the longest pier in Europe stretching an eye-widening 1450m and don't miss out on the fairytale castle at Neuschwanstein - which appeared in the 1968 Chitty Chitty Bang Bang film.

True, there are some things about the Germans that we find painfully predictable - their ability to take penalties at football notwithstanding - but don't go thinking the Germans can't stand a joke or send themselves up - best-selling German lawyer Dr Ralf Hocker has even written a book about towels on sunbeds.

Given their reputation for efficiency in business, it seems fitting somehow that German shop assistants don't bother with excessive pleasantries and may come across as brusque. It's not that they are being rude, they simply assume you'd rather get on with your purchases and get the transaction completed than hear platitudes from them. Rather more surprising, however, is the lack of queuing. Even the word queue raises quizzical eyebrows. What happens at counters is a bit of a free-for-all.

"Whoever is a bit more cheeky goes first," admits BTI's partner in Germany, Frida Hirt, who is based at BTI Central Europe. "People don't queue - they don't know how to."

But generally speaking the Germans do like to follow rules and one way of avoiding a social gaffe is to stick to formalities.

"People are very formal and they care a lot about hierarchy. It's always very nice, if you know people's names, to also call them by their titles," says Frida. That means using the prefix Doctor or Professor as well as Mr or Mrs (Herr and Frau) not only for a person with that title but also addressing the wife of a doctor or professor in the same way.

It's worth remembering too that in many European countries there's a formal way of saying "you". Even Prime Minister Tony Blair got frowned upon for getting it wrong in a keynote speech recently.

"Germany is very, very formal, not like Switzerland or the Nordic countries. So even if you are with someone of the same age and hierarchy you wait for the German counterpart to invite you to address them as 'du' instead of 'Sie'," she explains. Often, an invitation to drop titles and adopt a more friendly approach will take place in a social setting, with a toast being raised to mark the occasion. But assume nothing, counsels Frida. "I know of people who have been working together for 15 years and they are still using 'Sie'," she warns.

Dos and don'ts when you stay in Germany.

Shake hands almost every time you meet a person - that goes for children too. Keep your hands out of your pockets and maintain eye contact when you are introduced to someone.

If you're invited to dine at a German home make sure you take a gift for the hostess - flowers are acceptable - but remove all packaging unless they are formally tied or wrapped. Be careful about taking wine, taking a German wine may be considered an insult, an implication that you don't think your host will provide the best of drink.

Shut doors behind you when you enter a room. It's especially common for doors to be closed in German homes.

When you eat, have both hands visible. Finish everything on your plate (leaving food implies you didn't enjoy it) and place your cutlery together, handles pointing towards your right hand when you've finished. Toasts for wine include "Zum Wohl!" (good health) and for beer, "Prost!" (cheers).

If you remember nothing else, remember that punctuality is a must in Germany - not just in business but in social situations too. Don't arrive early and don't arrive late, either is considered rude. The Germans are sticklers for time-keeping.

Most Germans, especially the older generation, adhere to "quiet times" at lunchtime and in the evenings and too much noise can cause complaint. Away from the cities, it's even considered impolite to telephone someone's home between 1pm and 3pm.