CHINESE CIVILIZATION : CULTURAL NORMS AND STEREOTYPES

Cultural dimensions

D ifferentiates four cultural dimensions:

1. Power distance: This dimension expresses how a society handles inequalities among

people, and the uneven distribution of power in the society or organization. People in

societies exhibiting a large degree of power distance accept a hierarchical order in which

everybody has a place and which needs no further justification. In societies with low power

distance, people strive to equalize the distribution of power and demand justification for

inequalities of power.

2. Individualism versus Collectivism: this dimension describe the degree of integration of

individual in group. The high side of this dimension, called individualism, can be defined as a

preference for a loosely-knit social framework in which individuals are expected to take care

of only themselves and their immediate families. Its opposite, collectivism, represents a

preference for a tightly-knit framework in society in which individuals can expect their

relatives or members of a particular in-group to look after them in exchange for

unquestioning loyalty. A society's position on this dimension is reflected in whether people’s

self-image is defined in terms of “I” or “we.”

3. Uncertainly avoidance: The uncertainty avoidance dimension expresses the degree to

which the members of a society feel uncomfortable with uncertainty and ambiguity. The

fundamental issue here is how a society deals with the fact that the future can never be

known: should we try to control the future or just let it happen? Countries exhibiting strong

UAI maintain rigid codes of belief and behavior and are intolerant of unorthodox behavior

and ideas. Weak UAI societies maintain a more relaxed attitude in which practice counts

more than principles.

The less two cultures overlap in the dimensions listed, the stronger is the experience of

strangeness. If slightly pronounced, curiosity and reconciliation behavior can result. If

strongly pronounced, fear, insecurity, rejection or escape behavior can arise.

Edward T. Hall, a respected anthropologist and cross-cultural researcher, identified two

classic dimensions of culture in his books The Silent Language and The Hidden Dimension:

1. High-Context Versus Low-Context Cultures:

A High-context culture is one in which communicators assume a great deal of commonality of

knowledge and views, so that less is spelled out explicitly, and much more communication

involves implying a message through that which is not spoken; messages include other

communication cues such as body language, eye movement, para-verbal cues, and the use of

silence These transactions feature pre-programmed information that is in the receiver and in

the setting, with only minimal information in the transmitted message.

A low context culture is one in which things are fully, concisely spelled out. Things are

made explicit, and there is considerable dependence on what is actually said or written.

Low-context communication occurs predominantly through explicit statements in text and

speech – the mass of the information is vested in the explicit code. As such, most of the

information must be in the transmitted message in order to make up for what is missing in

the context. Cultures.

2. Monochronic and Polychronic Cultures:

Polychronic cultures like to do multiple things at the same time. Though they can be easily

distracted they also tend to manage interruptions well with a willingness to change plans

often and easily. People are their main concern (particularly those closely related to them

or their function) and they have a tendency to build lifetime relationships. Issues such as

promptness are firmly based on the relationship rather than the task and objectives are

more like desirable outcomes than must do's.

Monochronic cultures like to do just one thing at a time. They value a certain orderliness

and sense of there being an appropriate time and place for everything. They do not value

interruptions. They like to concentrate on the job at hand and take time commitments very

seriously.

In addition monochronic people tend to show a great deal of respect for private property

and are reluctant to be either a lender or a borrower. This is part of a general tendency to

follow rules of privacy and consideration as well as adhere religiously to plans.

Societal, Institutional, and Value Differences between Chinese and Americans

As expectations regarding good manners differ from person to person and vary according

to each situation, no treatise on the rules of etiquette or any list of faux pas can ever be

completed. As the perception of behaviors and actions vary, intercultural competence is

essential.

Mianzi and Guanxi

The concept of "face," i.e., mianzi, is a very difficult one to explain in a few sentences. It is

also impossible to discuss "face" without introducing the related concept of guanxi, i.e.,

"relationship" or social networking. Nevertheless, these two concepts, and how they are

expressed in day-to-day life in China, are absolutely essential for foreigners to understand,

prior to their arrival, if they are to avoid numerous misunderstandings and angry blowups.

Greetings and Meetings etiquette :

In China, the most appropriate and common business greeting is a firm hand shake with the

words Ni Hao. Nihao, colloquially translates to “hello”, which is used between people who

met for the first time or are not aquatinted with each other.

For male to male greeting, you can emphasis that you really value the person you are

greeting by a double-hand shake, where you place your left hand over their right hand. This

is not advisable for greeting females, as it can be misinterpreted for being over hearing or

forceful.

Daily Greetings

1. 你好！ N h o.ǐ ǎ Hi.

2. 谢谢！xièxie. Thank you. 不客气！Búkèqi. You’re welcome

3. 对不起！Duìbùq . I am sorry.ǐ 没关系！Méiguānxi . That’s all right; never mind

4.再见！zàijiàn. Goodbye!

Names, Titles and business card

Names have two parts, and family name, or surname is placed first with the given

name coming last. Note that married women always retain their maiden name. The

three most common surnames in Mainland China are Li, Wang and Zhang, which make up

7.9%, 7.4% and 7.1% respectively. Together they number close to 300 million and are easily

the most common surnames in the world.

Chinese are often addressed by their family names followed by Mr., Mrs., Miss, or

government or professional titles until specifically invited by your Chinese host or colleagues

to use their given names. For example, address Li Pang using his title: Mayor Li or Director Li.

Business cards have a far more important social meaning in China than they do in the United

States and anyone of significance is expected to not only have them but to carry them on

their person for introductions and greetings. In China, it is considered polite to both receive

and offer business cards with both hands (gently grasp each end of the card laterally

between your thumbs and index fingers and extend both arms), especially when receiving

them from and offering them to anyone who is of a higher social rank. When receiving a

business card, take a few moments to examine it before putting it in your pocket—this

denotes both interest and respect. This practice of using both hands to receive or pass

anything is quite common, and you will notice that waitresses, for example, will often receive

your money and provide your change with both hands.

Ganbei and Dining Etiquette

Eating is a huge part of Chinese culture. We eat to celebrate, to honor a guest, to socialize,

and to strengthen bonds. It is very important to do it in a right way. Good manner indicates

proper operating and invites good luck. Poor etiquette is bad luck and embarrassing for you

and people who should have taught you better, i.e. your parents. The following are some of

the dinning etiquette in China.

Seating is very important. Age and rank are highly respected. The guest of honor is always

placed at the head of the room, facing the door.Do not start to eat or drink prior to the host or

to the guest of honor.

The first toast normally occurs during or after the first course, not before. After the next

course, the guest should reciprocate.It is not necessary to always drain your glass after a

Ganbei (bottoms up), although a host should encourage it.

All the meals are served in “family style” and various dishes will be brought to the table and

placed on a lazy susan. The lazy susan will be rotated in order to position the latest dish in

front of the guest of honor, so it is customary to wait your turn until he or she has first

sampled the dish. The first time around, only take a minimal amount of food from each

serving plate. After everyone has had the opportunity to sample all the dishes, it is perfectly

alright for you to take a second or even third helping, just as long as you are not the one to

finish off the dish. In addition, it is best to leave a little bit of food remaining in your plate, as

to "clean your plate" in China means that you are still hungry and that you have not been

served enough food. Also it is bad manners for a Chinese host not to keep refilling guests'

plates or teacups.

Tapping your chopsticks on the table is considered very rude. Gesturing with chopsticks or

using them to skewer food is seen as rude as well. Never place your chopsticks straight up in

your bowl of rice or other food, as this is reminiscent of the joss sticks that are used to

honors the dead ancestors, and doing so is considered quite insulting (it suggests you are

wishing death upon the host or other guests).

Bill: The host (the one who invites) pays the bill for everyone. However, in many cases, you

will see Chinese people are fighting over paying over the bill by their table or by the cashier

to show their generosity and hospitality. In China, it is not customary at all to “go Dutch,” and

the one who makes the invitation is responsible for paying the entire check. In turn, you

should extend an invitation at a later date, during which time you will pay the bill. Try to

make certain that the dinner you buy is not significantly less or more in cost than the one you

were invited to, and, related, it is considered a significant faux pas to place the Chinese in a

position of obligation in which they might be unable or unwilling to return the favor at a later

time (and rarely will they allow this to happen). When taking a break during the meal, be

certain to lay your chopsticks down flat on top of your plate or rest the tapered ends on top

of the small caddy positioned just to the right of your plate, if one has been provided.

Tips: In most restaurants in Chinese countries, there is no tip required unless it is explicitly

posted. Sometimes, tipping may even be considered insulting, however the practice is

becoming more common. In United Stated, in Chinese restaurants though, tips are usually

expected. If you are not certain, ask the waitress or watch the other customers.

In China, it is not considered impolite to pick your teeth at the table with a toothpick after

finishing a meal just as long as you cover your mouth with the other hand (there will always

be an ample supply of toothpicks at the table). If you need to blow your nose, you should

turn your head away from the table, or, better yet, just step a few feet away from the table

before doing so.

Numbers and colors

Certain customs regarding good and bad luck are important to many Chinese people, as

well as many other Asian people. Although modern and well-educated Chinese reject

superstition on an intellectual level, on a purely emotional basis, China is still very much a

country that subscribes to the importance of luck and fate. These customs may be regarded

as superstitions by many, but they are often tied to religious traditions.

Numbers: Eight is believed as one of the luckiest numbers in Chinese culture. If you receive

eight of any item, consider it a gesture of good will. Six is considered a blessing for

smoothness and problem free advances. One mobile phone number with a string of eights,

i.e., 138-8888-8888 was selling in one city for 50,000 yuan (USD $7,000). Four is a taboo

because in Mandarin, Cantonese and some other folk dialects in China, the “four” has a

similar pronunciation to the word of death.

Colors: Avoid white color, which is symbolic of death, especially of parents, and black, which

symbolizes tragedy or death.

Gifts Giving

The most common items used as gifts in China are baskets of fruit, boxes of candy and

cookies, pastries, expensive tea, cartons of cigarettes, bottles of decent wine or high-grade

bái ji (the country's national alcoholic drink distilled from sorghum), and healthǔ

supplemental products, which is especially appreciated by older people in China. Regional

specialties are also considered a very proper gift. If you are going to China, bring something

American, as the Chinese most appreciate souvenirs and products from you country or

organization.

During the Chinese New Year (AKA the Spring Festival), it is considered good social form to

present a red envelope (hóng bāo) with money to the child of close friends, important

acquaintances, and business associates. The amount of money will vary depending on the

status of the person and the closeness of the relationship. Related, if invited to a wedding

reception—usually held several weeks or even months after the marriage is registered—a

red envelope containing a minimum of 200 yuan per person or couple is considered

appropriate (or more depending on the nature of the relationship). Particularly close friends

may opt to present what is usually an expensive gift (presented in an even number of items)

in lieu of cash.

Gifts should be wrapped in bright festive colors such as red, pink and yellow. Avoid black and

white paper as these colors are associated with funerals or death.

The following items are to be avoided as they are associated with death, funerals or separate:

clocks, pears, umbrella, handkerchiefs, knife, scissors or anything sharp, chrysanthemum

(the yellow one is the worst), anything in white or black, and four of any item. In China, a

man will never wear a green hat, which implies the wearer’s wife is unfaithful. Therefore,

promotional green hats are a poor a choice for a conference gist (or corporate uniform).

The reason why is explained here :

http://www.illuminantpartners.com/2012/09/28/gifts-china-what-to-give-avoid-

infographic/

Gifts are generally not opened upon receiving. Always give a gift to everyone present or don't

give gifts at all. When invited to someone's home, always bring a small gift for the hostess,

such as brandy, chocolates or cakes.

Privacy and Personal Space:

Cited from (Please click for more information):

http://middlekingdomlife.com/guide/social-etiquette-customs-china.htm

With more than 1.3 billion people in a land mass just smaller than that of the continental

United States, privacy and personal space in China are at a premium. Consequently, the

Chinese have a very different perspective on what constitutes appropriate social distance

between two people than American do, and, in fact, there is no precise translation in Chinese

for the English word privacy. This concept simply doesn't exist in the same way for most

Chinese as it does for American.

Throughout your stay in China, you will often be asked numerous questions that American

consider to be very personal and even privileged information, e.g., "What is your salary?",

"How much did you earn in your hometown?", "How old is your girlfriend?", “when are you

going to get married”, and “how many kids do you want to have” Related, you will commonly

hear unsolicited and often unflattering assessments about yourself such as "You are a little

too fat," "You look a little too old: you should shave off your beard" and "You should dress

more warmly: it's getting colder now." These types of ad hominem commentaries are

actually not intended to be insulting or patronizing, but, rather, are proffered to indicate an

interest in you as a person and in your well-being.

Chinese value social harmony above all else, and believe that individual expression and

personal freedom should be subjugated to the needs of the group as a whole. In public, they

tend to exercise Quaker-like restraint in regard to emotional expression, and do not see

much merit in being direct or confrontational. Consequently, they will avoid getting involved

in anything that isn't clearly their personal or family business. Related, while personal space

and property are highly valued and cared for, community space or public areas—including

the streets and even the inside of apartment buildings, especially the stairwells—are often

filthy and typically strewn with debris.