Chinese Business Culture Facts And Practices

By Kevin Schmidt


When visiting other countries, it can often be difficult to know how to act in a business meeting. When it comes to Chinese Business Culture facts, it is important to know several before leaving home. For, while some etiquette is the same as other countries, there are differences when it comes to China. First, it is important to restrain any feelings of excitement or appreciation. In almost all cases, it is important to keep calm and maintain composure. Being polite, using kind words and showing a faint smile is often the best greeting.

It is also important that when attending a meeting or providing a presentation the individual be extremely prepared. If delivering a proposal, it is important to have enough handouts for all attendee. In addition, it is important that only black and white ink be used whether in presentation slides or handouts.

When it comes to the initial greeting, small talk is generally expected. In some cases, this time can be used to plan future events. Whereas, most often these brief discussions are related to office decor, weather and general conversation. As a rule, it is often best to avoid conversations related to policies or practices associated with a country or countries.

As delays are often common when working with China, it is important to be flexible. Whether or not the country ask for an extension, it is often important to provide one. For, in doing so, the country often feels it has an advantage which can in some cases work to help build a better ongoing relationship.

Since Chinese people enter the room in hierarchical order, it is important that others attending a meeting do the same. Otherwise, it can often be assumed that the wrong individuals have the most power. As such, that individual will most likely get the most attention and respect in the meeting and throughout the process, which at times can create a great deal of confusion on behalf of attendees.

While there are business meetings year round, the most favorable time for these events is between April and June and September and October. For, these are the least busiest times of year for the Chinese. As such, it is often best to schedule meetings during this time of year. In China, operating hours are from 8 in the morning to 5 in the evening on weekdays, often with a two hour break from noon to 2 in the afternoon. At which time everything shuts down from telephones to elevators.

In most settings, handshakes are a common form of greeting. At the same time, there are people which are uncomfortable with personal contact. As such, it is often best when in China to allow hosts to make the first gesture of this kind. After which, it can be easier to know that the other party is comfortable in the process.

In most cases, individuals desire to be referred to by a business title and first name. While comrade may be used in some instances, when an outsider uses the term it tends to indicate the person is committed to communism. As such, it is often best to avoid using this and other military terms.

Being friendly, speaking a phrase or two in Chinese, nodding, all can be positive attributes before or after an event or meeting. When desiring to speak Chinese, it is important to understand the meaning behind the worlds. Otherwise, attendees might not only be embarrassed but a meeting can often be over before it begins if anyone is offended in a negative way.




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