Una diferencia grande entre la sociedad china y la sociedad occidental es el concepto del individualismo. Mientras que hacia fuera al oeste, a nos animan que seamos nuestra propia persona, y desarrollamos nuestras propias maneras del pensamiento, este concepto no está según lo pronunciado en cultura china, hacia las cuales inclínese Principios Confucian. La prueba en escuelas se basa generalmente alrededor de exámenes con solamente una respuesta sola, derecha para cada pregunta. Cómo el precio de los estudiantes en estas pruebas tiende para dictar qué sala de clase puede ser que sean colocados adentro, qué nivel de la escuela pueden atender y posiblemente qué trabajos pudieron estar disponibles para ellas cuando gradúan. Consecuentemente, los padres tienden para animar a sus niños que sobresalgan en los temas que requieren un pensamiento más linear, en comparación con unos que requieran creatividad.

Las interacciones entre la gente son gobernadas a menudo por relación eso los define. Una interacción entre un jefe y su empleado seguiría principios definidos, como uno entre un padre y un hijo, el marido y la esposa o dos amigos. El estado se acuerda a las ancianos o a ésas con autoridad. Uno puede acumular su estado con lealtad y cara el dar cuando sea apropiado. Mientras que la cultura occidental pudo recompensar calidades tales como creatividad, innovación y agresión, la sociedad china en lugar de otro promueve modestia, lealtad y la conciliación.

La carencia del individualismo se puede también encontrar en la tendencia para que la gente china guarde sus expresiones a sí mismos y no sea emocional en situaciones públicas. Éste es un rasgo de el cual se enseña cuando los niños son jóvenes, que es porqué encuentran a menudo la novedad en la naturaleza expresiva de extranjeros. Se anima a la gente que guarde sus opiniones y expresiones a sí mismos y no sea demasiado abierta. Cuando las materias se están discutiendo en reuniones, las decisiones son tomadas generalmente por consenso, que tienen que seguido luego, sin importar si diferencia la creencia personal.

Utilizan a los individuos en China también al manejo con mucho menos espacio personal. Mucho de esto es un resultado directo de vivir en áreas altamente adentro pobladas, así como un clima tropical. Las puertas tienden para ser dejadas abiertas, incluso durante clases o reuniones importantes. Al estar parado en línea, usted se espera que se incline hasta que la persona delante de usted para mantener su posición. Al parquear un vehículo, un boquete mucho más pequeño se deja entre los vehículos que usted puede ser que vea hacia fuera al oeste. As it is common for multiple generations of family members to live together, there is also much more closeness and interest in each others’ affairs. Neighbors tend to be a lot more “nosier” so expect a keen interest from others on where you happen to be going and coming from each day. Some of this lack of privacy is a direct result of strict government controls in mainland China. Everyone from security personnel and service attendants to the general public is taught to keep an eye out for suspicious activity and report it to the relevant authorities.

While Chinese society is certainly a lot more open in present day than it was in the past, a lot of these characteristics have ingrained themselves as part of culture. The increase in the numbers of foreign companies now operating in China has created more exposure among local Chinese to foreign methods and ways of thinking. However, those wanting to better integrate themselves into Chinese society can do well by understanding the roots and appreciating the values that govern people today.

While we’ve talked about names in Chinese before, it is important to know how to address people using the proper titles. While Westerners can generally be forgiving for not knowing the local customs, those that are able to follow the proper conventions correctly can receive a big edge when developing relationships.

Unlike English, the Chinese equivalents to “Mr” and “Mrs” - xiānshēng and tàitai follow the person’s last name. These two terms can also be used to refer to one’s husband and wife respectively. In Southern parts of China and Taiwan, these terms can also be used to address service people such as waiters, clerks and taxi drivers. In Northern parts of China, the term shīfu meaning “specialist” is used instead.

Where possible, it is advisable to find the person’s position and use it instead. Addressing someone as Wáng lǎoshī for “Teacher Wang” or Lǐ jīnglǐ for “Manager Li” shows them a lot more respect than a standard “Mr” or “Mrs.” It is also common practice to refer to someone with a definite position in the third person, using just their title and nothing else. If you’re shopping for goods, and are hoping for a good deal from the shop owner, referring to him as lǎobǎn for “boss” may gain you some favors.

Family relationship titles can be quite complicated. Traditionally, it was common for several generations of family members to live together, which meant it was important to accurately address each other. Family members are addressed differently based on whether they are older or younger than you, as well as whether the relationship is a paternal or maternal one. Close friends can also address each other as if they were in the same family. So a friend might refer to another friend as his older brother. This can also extend to a close friend’s family - where you address his relatives as if they were your own. This is similar to Western culture where a couple might affectionately be called Auntie and Uncle by younger generations.

Nicknames are also quite popular in Chinese culture. Two brothers surnamed Chén might be identified among friends as Lǎo Chén and Xiǎo Chén to indicate “younger Chen” and “older Chen” respectively. While in Western culture, it may be considered rude to directly refer to someone as old, in Chinese culture it is considered a sign of respect and refers more to the person’s wisdom and maturity than to their specific age.

While these rules about relationships may seem confusing on the outside, the best way to prepare yourself from uneasy situations is to observe others in action, and see what terms they use to address each other. To ensure that you use the right titles, it is also advisable to ask the opinions of others to make sure that you use the appropriate term.