由Dalidat

以國營企業(SOE)的形式，在私有化之前在中國，事務只存在了。 這些(和仍然是)由人負責操行以強的政治背景和關係，通常連接由家庭關係對某人在政府。 這類閉合的組織結構在任何決策過程沒有提供機會為了它的雇員能介入。 經常根據強的公司概念和原則的領導是一個重要因素在決定做和職員刺激，雖然政府財政支持的程度可利用意味SOEs在方式頻繁地沒有需要企業知識或瞭解市場。 成功根據好關係大廈寧可，有效地意味得到政府財政支持。

與合資企業景氣在80s和早90s末期，外國投資者開始送他們自己的經理與SOE企業文化互動。 他們被給了巨大包裹作為補嘗堅硬地方生活環境的刺激。 在我是生存在中國的13年，我聽見故事，太眾多以至於不能提及，外國經理出席數百宴會和得到喝與政府官員，而譯者接收了通訊電路。 他們大多時間會不知道什麼去，除那之外他們預計喝酒精的浩大的數量，莫名其妙地或其他縮小二文化之間的差距。 主要標準為了外國人能是成功的在這個企業競技場是知識的下列：
-怎麼對`偽造品』喝
-如何認可誰是決定製作商
-如何通過講幾個中國人詞組銘記中方
-怎麼對… 使用筷子并且瞭解膳食禮節

How to ‘fake’ drinking (and not get drunk)
The easiest way is secretly to pour water into your cup, since you will be challenged to drink baijiu (white spirit). This lethal spirit has a strong taste and is 50%-70% alcohol. While nobody is watching fill your cup with water and make sure it is always full. Initiate constant refills of everybody’s drinks and you will soon gain the title of ‘Lao Han’ (honourable Chinese). An alternative is quickly to dispose of the contents of your cup over your shoulder as you bring it close to your mouth. Make sure there is nobody watching and that there is nobody standing behind you! Baiju is always drunk down in one go unless it is mentioned otherwise. It is a good idea to fake being slightly drunk too, in order to avoid arousing any suspicions.

How to recognise who is a decision maker
All banquets are served on round tables and there is no obvious distinguishing mark, to indicate where the main guest is seated. However there are a few give-aways. Look out for these clues:
- The guest of honour is most likely to be facing the door (so they can see when the new dishes are brought in).
- Fish is the sign of prosperity and a banquet is likely to include a fish dish. The head of the fish will be placed facing the person of highest status.
- The counterpart will be seated directly opposite.
- The people seated at the right and left hand of the person of highest status are the two next most important decision makers.

How to impress Chinese counterparts by speaking a few Chinese phrases
The Chinese language consists of phrases that are called ‘chengyu’, the nearest interpretation of which, would be ‘proverbs’. They usually have four characters and have a whole story behind them to support the meaning that you want to express. There are dictionaries with a selection of the most frequently used chengyu, an essential part of your library. Make sure you use a chengyu at the appropriate time and you will grab everybody’s attention and gain substantial respect.

How to use chopsticks and understand meal etiquette
This involves practice beforehand. Using chopsticks is the first step of eating etiquette and conveys the message to the Chinese that you are willing to learn and accept their way of living. There are two kinds of chopsticks: disposable (wooden) and those used at banquets (made of plastic, jade or polished wood). The latter are quite difficult to use to eat the peanuts and small bits, so common in Chinese cuisine, so make sure you practise with these.

When dishes are brought to the table, wait for your counterpart to start eating or at least invite you to help yourself. Fish is always taken by the highest ranking person seated at the table. They usually get the fish cheeks too, the best part of the fish.

When drinking toasts, your cup should be held at a lower level than your counterpart’s. That way you show respect. If they attempt to say cheers with their glasses held lower than yours, don’t fall for it, it is just a test.

Waitresses will keep refilling your glass while you are talking. While conversation continues, tap your index and middle finger twice on the table, which simply means ‘Thank you’. This custom is explained by the legend of an emperor, who decided to mingle with his people in disguise. He swapped clothes with his servant and watched as officials focussed all their attention on his servant, believing him to be the emperor. When the servant, dressed as emperor, was offered tea the true emperor in servant’s clothes had to serve him. To preserve the disguise, without compromising the respect due to his emperor, the servant, dressed as emperor, tapped two fingers on the table to denote bowing with respect to the real emperor.

And remember, enjoy the meal, be prepared to eat intestines, turtles, snakes and drink snake blood and bile without showing any disgust. These delicacies are believed to improve your manhood. If you are a woman, you are more likely to be forgiven the odd lapse and at least won’t be under so much pressure to drink heavily. In this case, you should make sure that you are accompanied by a Chinese person of higher position in your company, who is prepared to take over the drinking part of the evening, which is so crucial in establishing good business relationships.

Copyright 2006 Dalida Turkovic (Source)

About the Author
Dalida Turkovic - Master Coach and Master NLP Practitioner has lived and worked in China since 1990. Please visit her business coaching website Small Steps Coaching and her blog at Life Coaching First Steps.