Understanding and upholding respect for different cultures should be a social norm. Fascinatingly, the amount of various cultures around the world is humbling- with no two being alike. Although, Chinese culture has evolved through many, many years and some ancient traditions still uphold. Face, “guanxi,” which broadly speaking, means connections and many other cultural normalities are constantly changing in China, yet there is basic threshold of cultural competency that is still important to acquire before any amount of business can be done there. Researching these specific cultural characteristics helped me understand several key cultural concepts that must be understood in order for useful personal and business dealings. Having a basic knowledge of Chinese history, political, economic and social challenges the country faces is necessary background knowledge before evening entering the country. Knowing the Chinese etiquette and understanding our cultural differences from Western culture in comparison to the Chinese culture can only help enhance business relations and avoid any embarrassing faux pas.
Art and Literature
There are a wide variety of differences between the Chinese and Western cultures forms of art and literature. The differences in art between western and Chinese culture grow with the addition of the importance of calligraphy. In the US calligraphy is not something of great importance at all. In fact it is a very secluded and almost unknown trait or talent.
It doesn’t matter what kind of ethnicity you are, or how you were brought up. Everyone is deeply rooted in their own culture. “Culture” has a different meaning to everyone. Comparing American culture to Chinese culture we will find many different meanings to the word “culture”. For example, we Americans are always looking for something bigger and better for our future, and the Chinese are content with a small reserved lifestyle with no intentions of changing it for something bigger. A culture is a way of life of a group of people-the behaviors, beliefs, values, and symbols that they accept, generally without thinking about them, and are passed along by communication and imitation from
According to the Merriam Webster dictionary, the definition of culture is “the customary beliefs, social forms, and material traits of a racial, religious, or social group”. Every country has its specific culture and there are some obvious cultural universals between China and America. One example of such cultural universal is the directness of American versus the humbleness of the Chinese people. Another example would be the self independence of the young Americans versus the young Chinese who tend to depend on their parents. What I would like to cover are the holidays observed by United States and China, roles played in the family by husband and wife, parenting styles and conflict management.
Cultural differences are apparent from one group of people to another. Culture is based on many things that are passed on from one generation to the next. Most of the time people take for granted their language, beliefs, and values. When it comes the cultural differences of people there is no right or wrong. People should be aware of others culture and respect the differences that are between them. The United States and China are two very large countries that have cultures that are well known through out the world. There are many differences between the United States and China, but there are many contributing factors that shape the cultures of these two countries.
1.) During the fifteenth century, China and Europe both began rebuilding their civilizations after the destruction that the plague brought. Both commenced to rebuild their population, economy, and to begin cultural growth. Although the two civilizations had their difference in the way that they began to rebuild, they also shared some similarities. As both showed signs of improvement, it is viewed that “Europe was […] more different from its own recent past than [the] Ming dynasty China was from its pre-Mongol glory” (428). Even though Europe went though the most change, China still showed a lot of improvement, especially considering that they were coming back from having a foreign ruler.
Nowadays, exploring the differences in overall cultural value structures among different cultures has gradually grew business’s attention across the world. No matter small companies or global conglomerates, how to get involve and maintain their competitive advantages and long-term sustainable success in global business trade has been a heated topic to discuss. To fully understand the ethic differences and cultural influences, the following four aspects will help us to uncover the similarities and differences between the American and Chinese cultures.
Since the beginning of time, ethics and standards have been passed down from generation to generation. China has been a country that has always implemented strategies to contain and protect this energy into a systematic process. In doing so, their Chinese heritage was protected and passed along, creating a strong culture. We know China as having pretty colors and dancing dragons, and visit these cultural microcosms in their restaurants built in the United States. We crack open our cookie revealing our fortunes, disregarding the fundamental background of the restaurant we sit in. We may appreciate the taste and service of the restaurant, but don’t think about the dish’s symbolic nature.
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
The classical civilizations of China and India were two of the most important and extant civilizations with major political development. The advanced technology like the ox-drawn plows, paper, silk roads, etc shaped China’s development. India was manifested by artistry, trade, and exceptional advances in mathematics. There were three main dynasties in classical China known as the Zhou, Qin, and Han Dynasty while India was founded by three empires: the Mauryan, Kushan, and Gupta empires. Even though these civilizations evolved around the same time, there are crucial differences and similarities. Religion, beliefs, hierarchical and patriarchal systems, and government reveal the distinction between the two civilizations.
With more than six billion people in the world is not difficult to realize that there are many different cultures and belief systems around the world that differ from the one we live in here in the US. There are countries that are governed by kings; there are others that are governed by religion, and others that are governed by republics. There are many different ways in which to prove that the world is not the same, we all do things different, we think different. Part of these differences is what drives competition and misunderstandings between nations. Cultural differences are apparent from one group of people to another. Culture is based on many things
Cultural values are defined as ideas that are good, right, fair, and just. Children learn these values through different stages of development, from infancy to adulthood. Culture is a way of life, a learned behavior, passed along by communication and imitation from one generation to another and can vary greatly based on nationality, ethnicity, religious values, and beliefs. With increasing globalization, it is paramount that cross-cultural values are understood by educators, healthcare providers, and parents to better understand and address the needs and desires of the next generation.
Chinese culture is truly one of the great civilization our world has come across. It boasts a vast geographic expanse, over 4000 years of written history, as well as a rich and profound traditional society. Many aspects of Chinese civilization can be traced back many centuries. It is so diverse and unique, yet harmoniously blended, and presents itself a priceless benefit to the world.
To enhance their careers, it would be beneficial for business managers to possess cultural intelligence. If a business person possess cultural intelligence they will be more likely to be chosen by their companies to work in other countries. Cultural intelligence could be developed in many ways like studying different cultures, learning different languages, or even studying abroad. There are so many different cultural dimensions to explore outside of the United States. When traveling to other countries be sure to keep an open mind and not judge the way they accomplish things.
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
The people in China are rich in culture just like other Asian countries. Therefore, to be involve with Chinese people in China for business, undertsanding their values and culture are very important. The first important thing to understand about Chinese is their devotion to collectivism. Chinese is trained from very early to consider himself as a dependent segment of a group, which is also called totalitarianism. It is helpful to think of the notion of family in China as a template applied to many networks of relationships that hold the society together. In the Chinese business context, the notion of family is about more than the emotional support and ties of a nuclear family. Family members, for
This year is my forth year that I has been studying in the United State. I’m already used to the U.S. culture and the U.S. living style. So in general, I didn’t experience any culture shock after I got here. If I had any culture shock, it’s probably three years ago. I couldn’t remember any of them. However I do have some thoughts about the differences between the U.S. and China after four years of studying in the United States.