When five o'clock rolls around, from Tokyo to Taipei, most people pack up their briefcases and head to bars. "In Asia, just about every bar has a karaoke machine," says Tom Connell, cross-cultural consultant for Interlink Consulting.

"It's not terrorism, and it's not street crime. It's the trauma Americans go through when they have the microphone in their hand and they're facing an empty karaoke stage." - Tom Connell, cross-cultural consultant, Interlink Consulting

For many Americans, that machine is the embodiment of sheer terror. "Karaoke is such a simple thing, but there is so much trauma associated with it for Americans," notes Connell. Learning to effectively handle this situation might help you make a good impression on your Asian coworkers and have some fun to boot.

It's More Than Karaoke

Karaoke is an important part of many Asian cultures. If you participate appropriately, "you will identify yourself as someone who is culturally competent, personally balanced and worthy of a relationship," says Connell. And that may be the key to success, since Asian cultures are relationship-focused.

Asian cultures also put an emphasis on balance. "They feel that someone involved in art has something going on other than work," explains Connell. "You have to be a contributing member of society, and if you can't get up there and sing, you're viewed as not having that balance.

An evening of karaoke usually begins innocuously at a bar. The server will take the foreigner's order first. Because of the concept of "face," if you order beer, everyone else probably will too. "There's going to be a tendency for the rest of the group to follow your lead. You might ask for suggestions on what to order before the waitress comes."

After a couple rounds of drinks, someone will get up and start singing. Then he or she will come back to the table and hand someone else the microphone. Eventually, someone will pass it to you. "This is the moment of truth for American businesspeople," says Connell

"The whole issue of karaoke is not to stumble up there drunkenly and try to sing a song, though that may be what seems to be going on. Karaoke is an opportunity to move closer towards a strong relationship with your Asian hosts."

Who Invited the Clown?

You may be self-conscious about your voice or terrified of the stage -- too bad! Connell remembers Americans who told him they got so angry when they were badgered to take the mic that they ended up slamming it down. "What they did was prove they don't know anything about cross-cultural communication."

It doesn't matter if you make an absolute fool of yourself. "What matters is that you're willing to step into their world," says Connell. And that means that when someone hands you the microphone, you stand up and sing.

The Secret Song

Choosing the right song is another important part of karaoke. If you are with a team of Americans, pick a song everyone knows. "The national anthem doesn't even qualify," says Connell. Instead, he suggests "Old MacDonald Had a Farm." Everyone knows it, and it's easy and fun to sing.

"There is a cross-cultural component as well, because animals make different sounds in different countries." You can work the crowd by passing around the microphone and having everyone add their own moo-moo here and oink-oink there.

"You need to remember there are other people in the bar. You're going to bring the house down if you do it right -- everyone will be howling with laughter." So the American businessperson's ultimate trauma can actually be a blast. "It's a very enjoyable endeavor. You can feel the relationship's warmth, and they can feel it too."

No Booze, No Business?

In Asia, drinking is seen as part of the process of getting to know you. "They keep pumping drinks into you, and eventually the real you will pop out," says Connell.

But if, for whatever reason, you don't drink, you don't have to start just to get the deal signed. Singing is required, but the decision to imbibe is up to you. If you don't want to drink, explain that your doctor advised against it and opt for a soda or tea instead.

It's Not So Bad After All

Connell describes the atmosphere on the day they bring out the karaoke machine in training seminars: "You can see the horror in the room. They're paralyzed with fear. They can't even get out of their chairs." But with the right attitude and the right song, it really isn't that bad. "When it's enjoyable, it's very enjoyable."