Chinese Business Etiquette: A Guide to Protocol, Manners

useful but not deep

Useful for intl businessmen going to China. Discussions are lively, but not very deep, which is a common case of books on China. For a better China business book written by a native, I recommend: China's Global Reach: Markets, Multinationals, and Globalization by a leading Chinese professional. Reading this book is like talking to a top advisor, but the author has been a top business advisor on the ground for decades.

Good- but needs serious updates for modern changes

This is most likely a good introduction for someone who is planning on studying up a bit more, but its explanations are a bit outdated. This text desperately needs to be supplemented by the new views espoused by the Chinese governement and the apparent contradictions which constitute the 'new' Chinese. I have found myself having to explain why I had misinterpreted a situation with Chinese colleagues after applying ideas from this book (especially to those under 35)... the truth is, culture changes and therefore the book needs to as well.

Most valuable book before you mess up in China

This book was the best one I had to read before going on a China trip with one of my MBA courses. Written in an easy and understandable way, it really gave me a very clear picture on the Chinese people and their way of live. The Chinese judge Westerners and their behavior according to Chinese standards. There are only a few choices as to what constitutes proper and improper behavior. The Chinese people have very clear ideas of what is right and wrong. These ideas were covered more in-depth throughout the book. The Chinese blame a lack of morals for Westerners engaging in illicit sex, the preponderance of drugs, and other things that are not tolerated in China. Whereas Westerners base their decisions and their behavior on a very different set of morals and ethics, the Chinese are very cautious about not losing face. It is a constant give and take. You give compliments and thereby build up someone's self esteem, you give him face. In return you will also receive face when people praise your abilities or skill in front of others. I like that idea of give and take very much, because it implies that you grow with people complimenting you. At the same time, you have to keep in mind, others want to grow too. Losing face is not something that the others always do to you. You can also lose it all by yourself. This can happen when you lose your temper in public, or losing control of yourself in any way, such as showing anger, grief, angst. Foreigners are always considered different, no matter how long they have been in China or how well they speak the language. You cannot really blend in completely. In the US the opposite seems to be true. No matter how different the culture is that you come from, you will melt with the rest and be accepted at some point in time as being American. 'Foreigners' are well accepted and blend into the different mix of nationalities forming one society. I was amazed that women in China are equal to men, the opposite to Japan and Korea. The book kept on talking about topics such as the etiquette at banquets, or what you have to consider when inviting Chinese guest, or little but important questions as to which gifts to bring. I really enjoyed the book and would recommend it to everyone going to China. The authors had a very thorough understanding of how the Chinese perceive Westerners and also which behavior of Westerners threatens business relationships between both cultures. It was very valuable to me to gain this knowledge.

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