Articles on Asia-Pacific business culture, Japanese work life, Thai bureaucracy, and Southeast Asian travel, from decades of living across the region. Some are practical guides for navigating life abroad, some are observations on how business works differently across Asia, and some are simply memories of places that shaped how I see things.
This is the master collection. For deeper dives, see the dedicated archives: Japan – Cross-Cultural Management – Hong Kong History – Thailand
APAC Business & Culture
How business works differently in Asia: from the rituals that build trust, to the unwritten rules that can make or break a relationship.
- Reading the Room Across APAC: A Three-Dimensional Model – mapping five APAC markets across pace, warmth, and formality.
- Why Business Cards Are Essential in Asia – the small card that carries outsized weight in every APAC market.
- How to Ensure Your Business Cards Are Ready for an Asian Audience – practical guidance on design, language, and presentation.
- In Asia, Ignore Hierarchy at Your Peril – why the org chart matters more than you think.
- Why Asian Parents Are Right About Choosing University Degrees – how cultural values shape expectations across generations.
Japan
Years at Toyota, and in Osaka, with many more visits, gave me a window into a culture that rewards patience, precision, and unspoken understanding.
- Top 7 Reasons to Work for a Japanese Company – what makes it rewarding (and challenging).
- Working for a Japanese Company: The Challenges – the other side of the coin.
- Paris Miki: Why It's the Best Optical Shop – a case study in Japanese service excellence.
- Hakodate Squid – the dish that defines a city.
- Fortunes at Miyajima Island – a moment of tranquillity.
For the full Japan collection – including the 2026 guide to working for Japanese companies – see Working and Living in Japan.
Thailand
Life in Thailand and navigating Thai bureaucracy – in English, because most of it isn't documented that way.
- How to Renew Your Thai ID Card Early – yes, you can do it before it expires. Here's how.
- How to Get an International Driving Permit in Thailand – documents, locations, and fees.
- Bangkok Airport Taxi: The 50 Baht Surcharge – yes, it's official, and here's why you should pay it.
- Printers as a Service in Thailand – an unexpectedly clever business model.
For the full Thailand collection – including getting around Bangkok and Thai culture – see Living in Thailand.
Southeast Asia
Beyond Thailand – observations from across the region.
- Laos and Thailand: Same Same but Different – neighbours, but not as similar as you'd think.
- The Old World Charms of Vientiane – a capital that time forgot.
This is a living collection. For deeper dives into specific regions and topics, see the dedicated archives: Japan – Cross-Cultural Management – Hong Kong History – Thailand
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