Chapter I and II from Chinese Business Etiquette: A guide to protocol, manners, and culture in the people republic of China by Scott D. Seligman is a book explaining different situations that gives an insight about that complexities faced by the Westerners doing business and travelling to China. “Good manners is generally just good common sense anyways.” (Seligman 1998) This was written in his introduction where in he stated that situations, attitudes and practices are timeless. This being said, this book was written almost 17 years ago in which an issue of “advancement” and “adaptation” can be raised since it evolves and develops rapidly. In addition, the question raised about this book being the most suitable for Canadians to learn about Chinese etiquette is simply answered 17 years ago as well. Regardless of the time when it was written and published the book conveys what a westerner or any other culture can experience in China. Furthermore, Seligman started by telling the audience of the book of what to expect and continued with personal experience and situations that an individual in different situations can possibly encounter. He also included tips and recap from what the chapter is about. In addition, having a good insight it is very evident that the author integrated himself into the book. These two chapters evolved around business situations from Chinese learning Western technological advancement to having business relationships and their specification.
In the
When decisions are necessary, especially risky ones, Americans do things differently than Chinese people do. Americans like to get involved and, if possible, make the decisions themselves. They are less likely to avoid the situation for fear of embarrassment or uncertainty. If they are uneasy about their authority to make a decision, they are content to defer or delegate. The Chinese are more likely to make decisions in groups where many people participate. This is somethine to consider when doing business with the Chinese because the way we would handle things in America might make them feel slighted or
Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior in Company and Conversation is a detailed summary of the proper etiquette of the time. The book covers everything from actions to avoid in public to mannerism expected
This process has more significance in most countries except the Unites States. The approach in the U.S. is to get down to business straight away without wasting too much time on people. This is in stark contrast to the process in China where the focus is on building “Guanxi”, that is, the intricate and omnipresent network of personal relations. The U.S. approach can be a huge problem when doing business with China. The American efficiency interferes with the patient development of a mutually trusting relationship – the very basis of an Asian business agreement. This is what happened in the case study. Mr. Smith had done his research and was aware about the Chinese business methodology, but he did not think it was important to implement it. He was well advised by Mr. Tang. Mr. Tang, even though pointed out the significant features of the “American” and the “Chinese” way of doing business, did not stress enough to make Mr. Smith understand its significance. Mr. Tang also jeopardized his relationship with Mrs. Ming whom he had known for many years by not disclosing that the supplier was not a direct supplier.
The following examines the nation of China and its trade relations with the world, particularly the United States. The focus is primarily on China’s culture and how it impacts business dealings with other countries. Areas examined include: Religion, Management Philosophy, and Business Etiquette. Also discussed is China’s growing status as a world super power and how that has impacted the global business landscape. Likewise, various trading partners are examined and the effects of doing business with China, specifically for the United States. Points of concern for the United States are things such as the
On the other hand, Chinese worker are centered on relationship. Chinese focus on relationship with others and live in the world of trust. Chinese trust people around them in their work place. Often, Chinese did not require signing contract in every agreement unlike American where all agreement must be in contract. By trusting others credibility, it helps create a friendly working environment and promotes intimate relationship among the workers. However, their main weakness is their business culture, where they are quiet and reserved which will reduce their credibility when dealing with American. They weakness also made them a weak immediate decision maker. As for interpersonal problem, Chinese are very concern about the good relationship, and hold it as their top priorities. Chinese would not do any agreement or trade that could harm their relationship with others. Lastly, Chinese are very polite and indirect. They try as hard to prevent the relationship from
The Chinese people want to have relationships with possible business partners before they do business with them. The Chinese believe in socializing and getting to know people as a way to see what type of person they will be dealing with. This is called guanxi (Firoz, Nadeem M. & Topchaya, Olga, 2016). Chinese businesses will not focus on efficiency and view change as disruptive to their business. When Mattel brought the Barbie store into Shanghai, the Chinese people did not know Mattel and how Mattel would be conducting business in their city. This caused uncertainty and Chinese people not knowing if they wanted to do business with Mattel.
As Americans, we ridicule others based on their selection of clothing. We are snobby because of how much money we make or what we hold as an occupation. We chew with our mouths full of macaroni and curse when the soda machine is out of Pepsi. We could use some manners, or maybe just a reintroduction. Confucius thought is constructed on kindness and propriety, as well as holding the morally virtuous to be the ideal person. This philosophy exceedingly expresses value in benevolence, education, and the treatment of other people, but has hidden innuendos that would knock the petals off any flower child. In this reflection paper, I will dabble with how incorporating Confucius thought and practices would help in some areas of American society,
As Americans, we ridicule others based on their selection of clothing. We are snobby because of how much money we make or what we hold as an occupation. We chew with our mouths full of macaroni and curse when the soda machine is out of Pepsi. We could use some manners, or maybe just a reintroduction. Confucius thought is constructed on kindness and propriety, as well as holding the morally virtuous to be the ideal person. This philosophy exceedingly expresses value in benevolence, education, and the treatment of other people, but has hidden innuendos that would knock the petals off any flower child. In this reflection paper, I will dabble with how incorporating Confucius thought and practices would help in some areas of American society,
Time; in America people arrive to any business meeting on time or before the meeting, but in China they time walks and people take it easy instead of living a busy life and in China if
All participants in a conversation seek to respect the stature of each participant and avoid embarrassment to anyone involved. In Chinese business settings, the concept of “face” means being particularly careful to
With China emerging as a global power in business within the last decade, knowing about doing business in China has become more important than ever. There are both many advantanges and challenges with doing business in China in this modern era, and understanding both sides of this coin is the key to being successful in China. Some aspects to keep in mind include the cultural barrier, the price of the work force in China compared to the United States, and have the “made in China” brand be accepted back in the United States.
Prior to reading the Harvard Business Review on Doing Business in China, I assumed that business was a universal thing around the world. I assumed that business was the same in all countries. I assumed that every country had the same end goals when it came to business. As a result, I assumed that all countries followed a similar template for how business negotiations work. I was under the assumption that business was all about numbers and money; I didn’t expect to see so much energy focused on creating relationships. I originally assumed China was a very strict and numbers based country when it came to business. In my mind, China was this giant country where everything is made and manufactured at a lower price. As a result, I assumed that
Nowadays, China, the emerging market in Asia, contains huge business opportunities. At the same time, because of the different culture and history, the characteristics of Chinese society including its source of power, social order, and solidarity, is actually very different from the West. The big difference is that China is a relationship-oriented society. For this reason, how can Westerner adapt the ways of doing business in China? Here are three recommendations for the entrepreneurs that want to enter the Chinese market.
In a world as overwhelming with differences, individuals are molded by many factors, and culture is one that follows up on each person. Diverse societies instruct different values, and what may be well mannered in the U.S. could exceptionally offend in China. As people from different cultural groups, individuals can misjudge each other; therefore, the U.S. and China can learn to collaborate across cultural lines as individuals and as a society. Becoming aware of cultural differences can enable both countries to deal with each other more
He had a Chinese couple travelling with him, and together they visited in excess of two hundred hotels and restaurants. Remarkably, only one of the businesses visited refused to serve the Chinese couple. LaPiere wrote to the owner of each business he had visited 6 month earlier, and asked whether or not they accommodate for Chinese guests. 92% of replies stated they do not accommodate for Chinese guests. Clearly, the owners’ feelings or attitude towards the Chinese guests is not consistent with their behaviour. Despite the possibility that it may have been a different person who responded to the attitude question in LaPiere’s (1934) study to staff of the business who greeted the Chinese guests six months earlier (Dillehay, 1973), the results of this study seems to support the idea that people do not behave based on their attitudes.