While most of the articles I’ve posted in my blog give the indication of similarities between corporate learning needs in the US and China, I’d like to capture some of the DIFFERENCES. Of course, I will have to speak in generalizations. If you find the description does not fit your situation, let us all know. We need you to fill in the gaps.
The best way to strengthen a guanxi network is to stay connected.
Send small gifts or ask for small favors to keep a relationship active.
Host an occasional get-together.
Remember the major Chinese holidays and send greetings.
Get to know your colleagues’ outside interests and find ways to support them, like getting tickets to a sporting event or concert.
I love watching the TV Show, No Reservations. The show involves Anthony Bourdain (of Kitchen Confidential fame) touring a country and sampling its restaurants and foods. Despite constant (at the beginning and at every commercial) warnings of adult content (there is usually massive swearing, drinking and smoking), I always watch it with my ten year old daughter because I know of no better or more interesting way to learn about foreign cultures. Every show leads her to ask a torrent of questions, with none on swearing, drinking or smoking. Read the rest of “F*&% China Culture Lessons. Give Me Anthony Bourdain With No Reservations” or post a comment
With the Beijing Olympics now fewer than 90 days away, travelers lucky enough to get tickets – or those just wanting to see the city hosting the Games – along with business people wanting to expand are thinking about China.
China’s long history and rich culture have helped shaped the formation of its modern society. Although China has come a long way in the last 30 years, just because “Prison Break” is a hit show and young people wear blue jeans doesn’t mean that it isn’t culturally very distinct.
In 2002 Brazilian soccer player Roberto Carlos starred in this Pepsi commercial. A humorous play on the politeness found throughout Asia (in this particular case Japan and Korea, the hosts of the World Cup).
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.
While most of the articles I’ve posted in my blog give the indication of similarities between corporate learning needs in the US and China, I’d like to capture some of the DIFFERENCES. Of course, I will have to speak in generalizations. If you find the description does not fit your situation, let us all know. We need you to fill in the gaps.
