AN 83-year-old Fulham resident is set to share wisdom learnt from a lifetime of travel in his debut book.
'Social Kissing, Gifts and Bribes' by Frederick Marsh is published later this month, giving readers the opportunity to learn from his cultural clangers, rather than making their own.
Mr Marsh, of Ranelagh Gardens, visited more than 90 countries in a distinguished career as a management consultant.
"Working in different countries gives you a great insight into the cultural idiosyncrasies, and I hope my book will help people avoid making the faux-pas I've made over the years," he says.
The most striking of them happened in Egypt when he arrived early for a conference, explains Mr Marsh, a Second War World veteran.
"There was nobody in the room which was odd. But I heard this noise and peered around for the source. Eventually I saw this chap on his knees behind a settee. 'Are you OK man?' I asked him, thinking he needed some medical help. It took me a few moments to realise he was praying."
The author, who has led a varied life, including becoming British air-racing champion in 1972 and a former chairman of the Royal Aero Club, retired from consultancy in 2005, and started to think about his book.
Citing Japan or Saudi Arabia as the nations with the most culturally complex traits and Tahiti "where anything goes" as the least, Mr Marsh hopes his book will be informative and funny.
"This is a book for anyone who travels frequently, businessmen and people with a sense of humour," he added.
Social Kissing, Gifts and Bribes is published in paperback by Indepenpress Publishing Ltd and is available from June 27.
