By Lisle Veach

The more I learned in China about the contrast between the way folks in the East and the West make use of their names and titles, the more fascinating it seemed, maybe because I think it implies something about the deep differences between our two cultures.

In China, one first identifies oneself in relation to the larger group, then the smaller group, then within the family, and only after that, as an individual. To illustrate this very clearly we only have to look at Chinese names and addresses. When you write someone’s address in China you first write the country, then the province, then the city or locality, followed by the business unit or location of the home. Only after all this, at the bottom, comes the person’s name. And in China, the family name – or surname – comes first; and at the very, very end is the individual’s given name. Just the opposite of us. And confusion abounds when Eastern and Western names collide. Read the rest of “What’s in a Name?” or post a comment

Although modern times are catching up quickly within the cities of China, understanding the roots of this ancient and complex culture is essential when doing business there. In part II of ‘doing business in China’ Nannette Ripmeester takes a closer look at some of the cultural nuances your expats in China need to be aware of.

Read the rest of “Successful business in China” or post a comment >>

By David Dayton

Every now and again the real truth comes out. Once while I was in grad school (at the now infamous NIU) writing my thesis on Thai/Chinese Corporate Culture my thesis advisor broke her academic façade and turned to me and said, “It’s all just B.S. isn’t it? I mean, it’s all just bribery, no matter what we call it, right?” She then went back into her academic mode and continued talking about “gift giving” and we never talked about “bribery” again.

Now, without betraying my Anthropological roots, I have to say this: the truth is that business in China is just like business anywhere else. Yes there are some things about the system that make it different from anywhere else too, but those traits are not, I don’t think, non-existent in other business cultures. Read the rest of “Inside Chinese Business–Book Review” or post a comment

By Dalida Turkovic

Picture Beijing in the early 1990’s: a strong visual presence of communism in the typical courtyard-style housing (12 families housed in a block built around a central yard), grey Mao suits everywhere, almost no neon advertising signs and only occasional cars and mini-vans on the streets. In those days there were two currencies: Yuan and FEC(Foreign Exchange Currency) available only to foreigners, with a lower exchange rate than Yuan (1$=8.9yuan, 1$=7.4FEC). Strong government control, exacerbated by the recent happenings on Tiananmen Square, meant that getting to know Chinese people was almost impossible - they were not allowed to enter hotels and so had no exposure to foreign goods and lifestyle, which were only available in hotels. Read the rest of “Business in China - Relaxing the Grip of Bureaucracy” or post a comment