China Business
Business Information from across China
Helping your Business with China
|
China BusinessBusiness Information from across China |
|
|
China Business About China People Places Travel Business Tips Business Information 
|
China Business » Information » Business & Culture in China Business & Culture in ChinaIn much of the western world, we often try to keep our personal lives separated from our business lives. We often have different rules of etiquette for business than for our lives at home. To a degree, the Chinese have a similar situation. However, their business etiquette is not the same as that of most westerners.As a western businessman, you may feel comfortable using hand gestures or even facial gestures when speaking. You may feel rather tied down if told to keep your hands still and avoid forming any unusual facial features when speaking to the Chinese. To them, this extra body movement tends to be annoying. Simplicity seems more appropriate.  Yet, you should not be surprised if applause greets you when visiting a workplace for the first time. Should that happen, it is appropriate for you to applaud in return. Perhaps the Chinese feel that simple applause is more correct decorum than for each person in the room to give you a personal welcome. Contrary to the stereotype of an oriental, the Chinese do not usually bow when greeting someone for the first time. The custom is a nod. Shaking hands is done only when initiated by the Chinese person you are meeting. When greeting a group of people, it is most acceptable to acknowledge the older persons in a group before younger ones. However, keep in mind that the older or those in authoritative positions do not usually like to be touched by strangers. The Chinese will appreciate if you are able to speak their language to some degree. They will feel more interested in someone who values their language and culture enough to have studied them. It is wise to learn to beat around the bush if you are not in agreement with something that has been said. The Chinese would prefer that you be noncommittal than to tell them an outright negative. Learning to interpret imprecise responses from your Chinese host is important as well. It could be that his indirect response to a question signals some degree of disagreement that he will not express directly. Have enough business cards to go around. One side should be printed in English and the other side in Mandarin. Always present the card with the Mandarin side showing. Your card is one of the main ways of revealing your rank in your company. The Chinese will be looking for clues as to how important you actually are in the decision-making process. When a Chinese business card is handed to you, read it immediately. It shows that you are interested in the person and his rank. The Chinese prefer to have some degree of relationship with someone who is considering doing business with them. This is referred to as "quanxi". Quanxi is variable in quantity. Having the right quanxi working for you gives more assurance of success in your business relationships. All of the elements in this article help toward having enough of the right quanxi for your business success. Written on: 24th September 2007 Written by: R. Harris |
|
| About Us | Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | | ||
© 2006-2011 Web Site Factory All rights reserved.
Cont@ct us