'Chinese culture Essay\r'

'1. Executive synopsis profession today is becoming more general and it is common to travel around the universe for handicraft dealings. In order to clinch a individualised credit line deal with severaliseies of another(prenominal)(prenominal) countries, it is essential to do nigh research about the country first. This lead digest critical in underframeation about their melody tradition, etiquette issues and other factors that pass on allow easier acceptance of Singaporean business concern enterprise persons. mainland China world the largest populated country of 1. 3 angiotensin-converting enzyme million million million, with an bea of 9,600,000 squ atomic frame 18 kilometers, has a long history, incomparable kitchen-gardening and a wide variety of typical customs and traditions.\r\nShe has been attracting foreigners to invest as there ar plentiful resources and arrayuriency merchandise, which be crucial in business dealings. Besides the factors that ar e menti unityd above, other factors match essential roles as healthful. Guanxi and Mianzi are the fore to the highest degree factors that Chinese business community take into account. Other factors include cookery for Chinese business meetings, noesis of the Chinese Lijie, such as non-verbal communication and kind kinships. Also, the Chinese gap consisting table etiquette unneurotic with drinking and toasting.\r\nThere will to a fault be gift-giving, such as what should be considered to give and what should be avoided. Last scarcely not least, different appearances to negotiate with the Chinese for the silk hat solution should be taken into consideration. In conclusion, having the friendship of the Chinese etiquette will better help virtuoso to succeed in clinching more business dealings. At the same time, it also helps one to understand the culture and customs of Chinese. Therefore, this will not only do one keen for business purposes, but also encourages common unde rstanding amongst countries.\r\n2. Introduction The population’s Re semipublic of China, has a largest population of 1. 3 billion and a GDP of US$2393 billion. Thus, it has been eyed by m either business executives due to its big market share and a large pool of labour which provides many business opportunities. In order to t group A down out business transactions efficiently with the Chinese, it is big for us to know what the prohibitions, customs and taboos are in China. By understanding these, we will be more prepared to conduct business with the Chinese. 2. 1 coming upon the Chinese.\r\nTo begin with, the Chinese are very crabby about first impressions. They prefer to be introduced formally to mountain as they are reluctant to rent up conversations with people they are unfamiliar with. A proper turn overhake will be most appropriate upon introduction. If one is world introduced to a group, cerebrate to shake everyone’s hands. Also, stand up without, when being introduced or when presenting self. Begin introductions with his/her name, takeed by the company’s name and specify the country that he/she is from. 2. 2 blood Cards.\r\nIt is polite to use two hands to hold both corners when presenting business card and to post it so that it is legible to the recipient. Try to digest one side of the card being translated and print the Chinese letters using gold ink as this is an auspicious colour. It will be leverful to clear a few seconds reading the card upon receiving it and helps in remembering one’s name. It is demeaning to countersink it now into your pocket without glancing. If it is a sit-down meeting, discover the card on the table so that one can look at it. 2. 3Conversations.\r\nMost Chinese like to engage in conversations concerning topics which they have knowledge on, such as weather, geography, Chinese cuisine, Chinese picture and landmarks. Topics related to politics should be avoided. Dismiss personal questions with a weensy humour if uncomfortable. The Chinese would ofttimes compliment the country of origin. However, accepting praise straight-out is not considered as good etiquette for them. Instead, one is expect to deflect compliments and pre race it is unworthy of receiving them. 2. 4 Greetings Surnames come first when addressing a Chinese.\r\nIn business situations, one will seldom concern themselves with a Chinese person’s given name. It is best(predicate) to get straight how one should address individual at the first meeting. For business purposes, it is traditionally agreeable to call a Chinese by the surname, together with a title such as Managing film director Toh. 2. 5On the telephone Although Chinese may make arrangements through the phone, most Chinese prefers face-to-face meetings. On the telephone, the bill greeting is the word â€Å"wei”, which means â€Å"hello” or â€Å"are you still there” in Mandarin.\r\nChinese oft do not furnish any identifying breeding upon answering the phone; hence it is good to verify that one has reached the organization he/she intend to dial. 3. GuanXi †Relationships Personal relationships play a vital part in the business world of Chinese. Chinese businessmen do not rush into discussions and negotiations, as they indirect request to get familiar with their business partners before doing business. This is cognise as Guanxi, which means â€Å"relationships”. It is the net crap of relationships among various parties that befriend together and support one another.\r\nBefore doing business, Chinese will extend hospitality to demonstrate their treasure for others and appreciation of the finer things in life so as to soften their visitors. There will be small talk during the first full day, where Chinese removes about his visitor and goals. The til nowing during the welcome banquet, they would learn more as foreign visitors will diffuse up during casual talks. A lso, the visitors may visit the fireside of their acquaintances from other organizations and bring some gifts as it is valuable for building and creating Guanxi.\r\nGifts like foreign cigarettes and quality wines are acceptable, which will be discussed more at the after part of the report. Trust is built during such situations and Chinese would then be more comfortable to work with them. Relationships are not only between companies but also personal levels. Establishing a sincere, supportive relationship based on mutual respect is a fundamental aspect of Chinese culture. In the world of business, possessing the right Guanxi is crucial for ensuring the minimization of difficulties and frustrations that are often encountered and it is also grievous to any successful business strategy in China.\r\n4. Mian Zi †Face Face, also cognise as Mianzi, is a mark of personal pluck and forms the basis of an individual’s reputation and genial stead. Having face means having a hi gh status in the eyeball of one’s peers, and is a mark of personal dignity. It is a prized commodity, which can be given, lost, taken away or earned. Face to a Chinese, holds more importance and encompasses a greater part of life. In order to establish all important interpersonal relationships, face must always be created and maintained at all times.\r\nLosing face may be caused by, for example, public insult, chastisement or contradicting soul in front of another, and also, by ourselves, such as losing temper or losing your own control in public. Furthermore, rescinding an order can also be constructed as losing face. This is why Chinese leaders would rather follow the policies even if there are events that prove them that it is irrelevant. make somebody to lose face through public humiliation or inappropriate allocation of respect to individuals within the organization can seriously distress business discussions.\r\nOn the other hand, praising someone in moderation befo re their colleagues is a form of ‘giving face’ and can earn respect, consignment and aid negotiations. Nevertheless, face is so important that it is confession for spending money even if the Chinese is not very rich. Money that may be bunch aside for emergency use may be used for buying gifts or accessories instead because of face. 5. Lijie- cheat of Politeness Being polite is a type secureters case of basic courtesy one should possess. In China, personal feelings and hint of criticism should not be dealt with publically as it major power cause public overplus and repellantness.\r\nA glass of tea that is automatically set out in front of arriving thickenings is how the Chinese allows the guest to feel comfortable and appear gracious. 5. 1 fall out harmony surface harmony is an essential skill because the world of Chinese etiquette is very insensitive to unpleasant genuine feelings as it concerns matter of â€Å"face”. To the Chinese, things are done more for show than for substance; for example, adroitness are tools which they use to maintain pleasantness at all times, even when it is not entirely felt. Surface harmony is disturbed when one expresses his/her disagreement.\r\nTherefore, it is advised to catch ones breath quiet and â€Å"give face” as it might essence in sabotage, subversion or vindicate as the Chinese are well undefended of such actions. 5. 2Intermediaries Intermediaries can be useful in communicating something unpleasant to the Chinese, and they help to ask questions, as preservation of face and surface harmony is considered highly important to Chinese. Intermediaries are highly useful in negotiations as they provide back channels for information that might prove too sensitive or risky. However, anger may be expressed forthwith for strategic purposes.\r\n5. 3 Social relationships Chinese get by their social relationships by an imaginary solidification that surrounds them. Relatives, friends, neig hbours, classmates and co-workers are within the circle. These people have relationships with one another and hence, bear some sort of obligation. Chinese tend to go all out for them, be it set themselves at great inconvenience or even ethically questionable circumstances. The rest of the world, whom a Chinese treats like a stranger, remains outside of the circle to whom with no particular obligation. 5. 4 Non-verbal communication.\r\nChinese have various non-verbal communications. Firstly, Chinese tends to have a shorter social distance compared to many western cultures, for example, a Chinese friend might stand a little close to you for comfort or breathing directly into your face when talking to you. Furthermore, if one steps backwards, his/her Chinese counterpart may advance accordingly. When dealing with a Chinese, particularly the older ones, one should not have-to doe with a member of the opposite sex you do not know extremely well as other types of physical concern can be misinterpreted.\r\nHowever, it is said to be perfectly acceptable for Chinese to be physical with members of the same sex. Traditionally, Chinese are seldom demonstrative with the opposite sex in public. Therefore, foreigners should keep in mind that they are well advised to avoid more passionate forms of contact besides holding hands with a companion. During a conversation, one should not slink down in chairs as they are deemed disrespectful. Furthermore, some Chinese will avoid meeting one’s eyes or smile. This is a sign of shyness or keeping feelings to themselves. Thus should not be unlogical with insincerity, unfriendliness or anger.\r\nSilence is a virtue for it represents reprehension or a sign of politeness. Gestures such as â€Å"come here” by curling baron finger upward, â€Å"okay” sign with thumb and forefinger forming a circle, and shrugging of shoulders showing â€Å"I don’t know” may not be unsounded by the Chinese. Nodding or shaking of head, thumbs-up and hand clapping of hands for applauding are universally accepted gestures. 5. 5 Ways to reject a Chinese Rejecting people or axiom ‘no’ can result in losing face, therefore the Chinese devised a number of methods of refusing without saying ‘no’.\r\nWays to reject are, saying to grant the wish would be â€Å"inconvenient” as it means there are political problems associated with fulfilling a request, or it is â€Å"under consideration” or â€Å"being discussed”. This generally means that something is unlikely to happen. Another way is to blame someone else for the roadblock by decision a scapegoat. Lastly, a Chinese may tell a lie such as inventing a story to get out of the uncomfortable vex in which a person feels placed. 11. References and Acknowledgements 1. De Mente Boye. (2004).\r\nChinese etiquette & ethics in business. Boston: McGraw-Hill. 2. Scott D. Seligman. (1999). Chinese Business Etiquette: a guide to protocol, manners, and culture in the People’s Republic of China. United States of America: A Time Warner Company 3. About. com: China Online (n. d. ). Retrieved on June 13, 2007. http://chineseculture. about. com/od/businessculture/Chinese_Business_Culture. htm 4. Communicaid global communication: doing business in China. (n. d. ). Retrieved on June 13, 2007. http://www. communicaid. com/chinese-business-culture.\r\nasp 5. Chinese Culture. (n. d. ). Retrieved on June 13, 2007. http://www. chinese-culture. net/ hypertext mark-up language/chinese_business_culture. hypertext markup language 6. Kwintessential- Language and culture specialists (n. d. ). Retrieved on June 13, 2007. http://www. kwintessential. co. uk/cultural-services/articles/china-business-culture. html 7. China’s GDP grows 10. 7% in 2006. (January 25, 2007). ChinaDaily. com. cn. Retrieved on June 25, 2007. from http://www. chinadaily. com. cn/china/2007-01/25/content_792311_2. htm 8. Economy à ¢â‚¬ stinting Structure & Trends.\r\n(2006). Retrieved on June 20, 2007. http://china-europe-usa. com/level_4_data/eco/042_3. htm 9. China †Business etiquette, manners and cross cultural communication. (n. d. ). Retrieved on June 15, 2007. http://www. cyborlink. com/besite/china. htm 10. China †Business & Travel Etiquette. (n. d. ). Retrieved on June 15, 2007. http://www. crazycolour. com/os/china_02. shtml 11. Business Card Etiquette by Neil Payne. (n. d. ). Retrieved on June 15, 2007. http://www. sideroad. com/Business_Etiquette/business-card-etiquette. html.\r\n'