It was one thing to work with Chinese people, have Chinese friends and Chinese clients, but one of my most enriching experiences was living as a member of a middle-class Chinese family.
For two years, I was married to a wonderful, beautiful and successful Shanghainese businesswoman, Michelle, who had a seven-year-old daughter.
Read the rest of “China Chapter Eight: China Experience” or post a comment >>
Food is important in all cultures, but in China, it plays a paramount role as the tool for face and guanxi.
Business eating is where guanxi is established. To get to know another person and to build trust, eating together is necessary. The Chinese don’t eat at their desks, and they don’t rush out to the nearest fast-food joint. It is a specific time for talking and getting to know the other person. Typically, business is not discussed. That’s done during the many business meetings.
Read the rest of “China Chapter Seven: Dining in China” or post a comment >>
Did you know that in China more than 45 billion pairs of wooden chopsticks are produced? This requires about 25 million trees. Yearly. That is why the Chinese government currently tries to promote non-disposable chopsticks in restaurants. Let’s hope China succeeds in this particular effort. For eating with chopsticks can be a lot of fun. Especially when you know how, as this instruction video demonstrates. By all means: do try this at home!
By Hubert Hopkins
1. The traditional Chinese “handshake” consists of interlocking the fingers, waving them up and down several times. This greeting is rarely used today (except during festivals, weddings and birthdays of the elderly), instead using the Western-style handshake. A slight bow should often accompanies the handshake, but do not bow from the waist in the style of the Japanese. The Chinese prefer a gentler handshake than the firm grip expected in Western cultures. Physical contact other than a handshake is highly discouraged unless you know someone quite well.
2. Chinese names are “reversed” from Western names. The surname is said first and then the given name. For example, Bruce Lee’s name in Cantonese is Lee Siu Lung. Lee is his surname and spoken first, and the given name (Little Dragon) is spoken second.
Professional, social, and family titles always follow the name as well. Dr. Wong would be Huang Yi Sheng (Huang Doctor). Likewise, Xiansheng (Mr.) and Taitai (Mrs.) are said after the surname. Never call someone by only his last name, and unless specifically asked, do not call someone by his first name; always address your Chinese associates by their surname followed by their title. Also, never address anyone as “Comrade.” Read the rest of “Top 10 Chinese Business Culture "Dos" and "Don'ts"” or post a comment
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