Comments on: Relationships and Face http://www.chineselearnonline.com/learning-insights/2007/11/20/relationships-and-face/ Tips, tricks and cultural insights on learning Mandarin Chinese Wed, 07 Jan 2009 23:24:17 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2.1 By: Learning Mandarin Chinese Insights » Blog Archive » Business Meetings http://www.chineselearnonline.com/learning-insights/2007/11/20/relationships-and-face/#comment-255 Learning Mandarin Chinese Insights » Blog Archive » Business Meetings Wed, 30 Jan 2008 08:15:55 +0000 http://www.chineselearnonline.com/learning-insights/2007/11/20/relationships-and-face/#comment-255 [...] The Chinese usually prefer to be on the defensive or receiving side of matters. This allows them to combine their preparation of the meeting beforehand, with time to react to the proposals brought forward by the other party. During the meeting, it is common for Chinese to use grunts or nods as signs of acknowledgment of what is being said during the meeting. Don’t mistake this for acceptance, as it is just a tacid acknowledgment and doesn’t necessarily suggest agreement. Unlike normal conversations, the dialogs in meetings tend to be more structured with each side taking turns. As a result, it is common to let the other party do the talking without interrupting until it is your turn, at which point you can go through their points one by one. During this portion, expect them to take detailed notes that may be referred to on later dates or shared with other parties who may have not attended the meeting. Like in all interactions with Chinese people, it is of crucial importance never to put them on the spot or allow them to lose face. [...] […] The Chinese usually prefer to be on the defensive or receiving side of matters. This allows them to combine their preparation of the meeting beforehand, with time to react to the proposals brought forward by the other party. During the meeting, it is common for Chinese to use grunts or nods as signs of acknowledgment of what is being said during the meeting. Don’t mistake this for acceptance, as it is just a tacid acknowledgment and doesn’t necessarily suggest agreement. Unlike normal conversations, the dialogs in meetings tend to be more structured with each side taking turns. As a result, it is common to let the other party do the talking without interrupting until it is your turn, at which point you can go through their points one by one. During this portion, expect them to take detailed notes that may be referred to on later dates or shared with other parties who may have not attended the meeting. Like in all interactions with Chinese people, it is of crucial importance never to put them on the spot or allow them to lose face. […]

]]> By: Learning Mandarin Chinese Insights » Blog Archive » Differences Between Chinese and Western Thinking http://www.chineselearnonline.com/learning-insights/2007/11/20/relationships-and-face/#comment-233 Learning Mandarin Chinese Insights » Blog Archive » Differences Between Chinese and Western Thinking Tue, 15 Jan 2008 15:47:02 +0000 http://www.chineselearnonline.com/learning-insights/2007/11/20/relationships-and-face/#comment-233 [...] he may have with a speaker could be brought up later in a more private forum, giving the speaker face in the process. Understanding this nature within Chinese people is important, since it is easy to [...] […] he may have with a speaker could be brought up later in a more private forum, giving the speaker face in the process. Understanding this nature within Chinese people is important, since it is easy to […]

]]> By: Adam http://www.chineselearnonline.com/learning-insights/2007/11/20/relationships-and-face/#comment-201 Adam Tue, 08 Jan 2008 12:50:39 +0000 http://www.chineselearnonline.com/learning-insights/2007/11/20/relationships-and-face/#comment-201 Hi Jeff. Glad you enjoy it. There will be lots more related topics in future posts. One book that I picked up recently is "Chinese Business Etiquette" by Scott Seligman. That has a wealth of information from a business perspective. A search for "Chinese Business Etiquette" on Google also seems to yield a lot of websites that should help. Hi Jeff. Glad you enjoy it. There will be lots more related topics in future posts. One book that I picked up recently is “Chinese Business Etiquette” by Scott Seligman. That has a wealth of information from a business perspective. A search for “Chinese Business Etiquette” on Google also seems to yield a lot of websites that should help.

]]> By: Jeff Weber http://www.chineselearnonline.com/learning-insights/2007/11/20/relationships-and-face/#comment-195 Jeff Weber Mon, 07 Jan 2008 21:54:48 +0000 http://www.chineselearnonline.com/learning-insights/2007/11/20/relationships-and-face/#comment-195 Excellent information Adam. More advice on manners, culture--especially from a business viewpoint would be invaluable. Can you recommend any other resources for this topic-books, websites???? Excellent information Adam. More advice on manners, culture–especially from a business viewpoint would be invaluable. Can you recommend any other resources for this topic-books, websites????

]]> By: Adam http://www.chineselearnonline.com/learning-insights/2007/11/20/relationships-and-face/#comment-110 Adam Tue, 20 Nov 2007 21:54:17 +0000 http://www.chineselearnonline.com/learning-insights/2007/11/20/relationships-and-face/#comment-110 Thanks Chris - that's a good tie in to future posts about Chinese etiquette. Thanks Chris - that’s a good tie in to future posts about Chinese etiquette.

]]> By: chris(mandarin_student) http://www.chineselearnonline.com/learning-insights/2007/11/20/relationships-and-face/#comment-108 chris(mandarin_student) Tue, 20 Nov 2007 12:18:41 +0000 http://www.chineselearnonline.com/learning-insights/2007/11/20/relationships-and-face/#comment-108 Ironically the guy in your image is handing over a business card in one hand. Luckily from watching TV I managed to pick up that Chinese (at least mainland) tend to hand over business cards in two hands and it is polite to receive them this way. When our Manager from the Beijing office stopped by on a visit to talk to me, I took his buissness card in both hands, took a moment to briefly look at it and then carefully tucked it away safely in my wallet (rather than casually slipping it into a back pocket). It seemed to get things of to a good start, most Westerners are much more causal about their handling of business cards it seems. Ironically the guy in your image is handing over a business card in one hand.
Luckily from watching TV I managed to pick up that Chinese (at least mainland) tend to hand over business cards in two hands and it is polite to receive them this way.

When our Manager from the Beijing office stopped by on a visit to talk to me, I took his buissness card in both hands, took a moment to briefly look at it and then carefully tucked it away safely in my wallet (rather than casually slipping it into a back pocket). It seemed to get things of to a good start, most Westerners are much more causal about their handling of business cards it seems.

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