More about Chinese business etiquettes

Thu August 16th, 2007 • Responses (0) •

A recent article on China Daily cited some findings by the International Business Center (IBC, a US-based non-profit organization) on Chinese business culture and etiquettes. According to IBC, “the general nature of locals is conservative, reserved and disciplined”, and there are “specific codes of behavior” to adhere to.

Big Social Functions

Chinese value face and make decisions collectively and over a lengthy period. There is always respect for a host and many Chinese are passionate socialites enjoying functions.

Eating First, and Business Second

“…But in China, people meet for dinner and talk about general topics first before getting down to business.”

No Talking About Politics

The IBC reminds foreigners to avoid any ostentatious or overt displays of emotion or affection and to keep social conversations safe. Talking about culture, customs, travel or food are good topics. Talking about politics is not.

Many Speeches

…the continuous volley of speeches, which occurs at many local parties.
…When toasting, the host always speaks first.

Avoid Open embarrassment

…most Chinese will not discuss their feelings when dissatisfied

Relationship Important

In China, “relationships are everything”.
Open criticisms of others or admissions of guilt threaten such relationships, so these are avoided.

The research spotted some real and visible cultural formalities and practices, and it is indeed helpful for people from other countries to know. But knowing it is one thing, using it is really another. In many cases, not knowing is perhaps better than overuse it. You will need to distinguish between the bad and the good practices before you actually use them, since not all of them you see are regarded as good practices and suitable in all occasions, such as Huaquan. The article on China Daily (surprisingly) showed a picture of a Chinese man teaches his expat friend to play Huaquan (above), but in fact it is not taken as a civilized manner by general public, and is not suitable in formal occasions.

In most cases of Chinese people meeting with foreigners, there are invisible cultural elements quietly taking its functions during such intercultural encounters: Chinese people are always trying to show their respect and hospitality to foreigners and probably through Chinese ways: you will be asked to making speeches, as a way to show respect; you will be forced, as a way of showing hospitality, to take as much as you can, the food, the drinks, and the ‘intercultural dishes’ as well. As foreigners you will never be regarded as ignorant since you are foreigners. But the fact is that with increasing number of westerners trying to know more about the business etiquettes in China, Chinese business culture has reciprocally started to have its impact on international business practices.

Note: Picture from China Daily

Tags: Business & Culture, Chinese business culture, Chinese business etiquettes, cultural etiquettes

BMW Group Award for Intercultural Learning

Sun July 29th, 2007 • Responses (0) •

Ever since 1997, the BMW Group has been inviting applications for the BMW Group Award for Intercultural Learning. The Award is divided into two categories, Theory and Practice, and invites academics in many disciplines, including education, to submit qualifying papers and research projects that represent innovative approaches to the advancement of intercultural learning. Entries should be closely aligned to the basic philosophy of the LIFE concept.

In the “Theory” category, we welcome papers submitted by academic researchers anywhere in the world, in any discipline, whose degree dissertations or other types of academic research project demonstrate a new approach to the advancement of intercultural learning and, moreover, are closely aligned to the basic philosophy of the LIFE concept. We particularly welcome innovative ideas in any discipline – from architecture to economics, from agriculture to urban studies, from linguistics to medicine, from education to psychology.

In the “Practice” category, we are looking for examples of innovative projects aiming to promote a better understanding of other cultures, languages or religions that have been realised in schools or nursery schools, as part of a parents’ or neighbourhood initiative, or in any public social establishment, or in connection with extracurricular sporting or cultural activities. We would like to encourage not only private individuals, but also groups and institutions, to enter the competition and present their projects to the international jury.

Prizes will be awarded to the three best practical projects; the jury also reserves the right to award a special prize for “Intercultural commitment”. The purpose of this special prize is to reward a person displaying exceptional commitment who has constantly endeavoured to promote international understanding (e.g. in the context of several projects and initiatives) and has thus rendered outstanding service to the propagation of intercultural learning.

You can find more details on the BMW Group’s website on the Categories, Philosophy and Topics of the award. The deadlines for this year’s application is: October 15, 2007.

Tags: Business & Culture

Intercultural Education Exercise by Cornell University

Wed July 25th, 2007 • Responses (0) •

According to Hospitality Net on July 19th, 2007, the Center for Hospitality Research (CHR) of Cornell University is “making available to the hospitality industry an intercultural education exercise that was initially developed for its executive education programs and has subsequently been used in college courses and corporate training.” It is in fact a Cocktail Party Simulation in which “participants examine their experience and apply it to their own professional lives”. According to Cornell Professor Daphne Jameson - the simulation developer, participants gain new insights about the following principles of intercultural interaction:

Cultural values are relative, not absolute;

Intercultural communication involves emotional as well as rational responses;

Invisible cultural differences, such as values, attitudes, and beliefs, are more difficult to handle than visible differences, such as manners, customs, and rituals;

Deciding who adapts to whom—and how—is the greatest challenge in intercultural interactions; and

Cultural identity is multidimensional, involving far more than nationality alone.

The University has made the simulation tool available for free on the center’s website: Developing Hospitality Managers’ Intercultural Communication Abilities: The Cocktail Party Simulation.

Tags: Business & Culture, Cornell University, cultural identity, hospitality research, intercultural communication, intercultural education, intercultural exercise, intercultural simulation