Cultural Shock China - Hanne Chen - Manuel Simon Asian Studies in Business & Economics, 12 th June 2006

Cultural Shock China- Hanne Chen -

Manuel Simon

Asian Studies in Business & Economics, 12th June 2006

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Agenda

1. Introduction

2. Cultural frame: world outlook, history, language

3. Chinese everyday life

4. Position of foreigners in the Chinese culture group

5. Conclusion

1. Introduction

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1. Introduction

1. Introduction

2. Cultural frame


4. Chinese culture group

5. Conclusion

• Hanne Chen was born in Duisburg in 1961.

• She studied Sinology and German language and literature studies and lived for four and a half years in China and Taiwan.

• Meanwhile she lives as a free author with her husband and two children next to Cambridge in England.

2. Cultural Frame

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2. Cultural Frame

2.1 Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism

2.2 Calendar and celebrations

2.3 History of the People‘s Republic China

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2.1 Confucian ideology, Taoism and Buddhism

China is characterised by three very different philosophies.

Confucianism

• Classification of people• Family structure• Connections

Taoism

• Counterpart to the Confucianism• Egoism of the individual

Buddhism

• youngest Chinese religion• Mortality of human beings

1. Introduction

2. Cultural frame



5. Conclusion

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2. Cultural Frame




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2.2 Calendar and Celebrations

• The moon calendar is besides the Gregorian calendar still in use.

• One year has twelve moon months, but in periodic intervals years with thirteen months have to be inserted.

• The Chinese public holidays are determined by the moon respectively old farmer calendar.

• Most important celebration is the New Year’s Day or spring celebration (chunijie) which takes place on the first new moon after the 29th January.

1. Introduction

2. Cultural frame



5. Conclusion

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2. Cultural Frame




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2.3 History of the People’s Republic China

• Sun Yatsen proclaimed the Chinese Republic on January 1911.

• China faced its most impressive time during the era “Mao Zedong” which began on 1st October 1949.

‘The Chinese nation is risen. Nobody will ever oppress it’ (p. 44).

• Crucial event of the Mao era was the Cultural Revolution and the smashing of the “Four Old”: old ideas, old manner and customs, and old culture.

• After Mao’s death (1976) China’s political and economic success started.

1. Introduction

2. Cultural frame



5. Conclusion


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3.1 Politeness

3.2 Connections

3.3 Food

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3.1 Politeness

• Politeness is consideration for the face of the others.

• Every situation in life requires a lot of empathy. One relies on that the person opposite assesses the situation in the right way.

• The art of suggesting something belongs to the polite Chinese speech.

• One indirect and polite style is also the so called “spiral speaking”.

• Discretion at being right and modesty characterise the noble Chinese behaviour. Also the body language is quieter and more restrained.

1. Introduction

2. Cultural frame



5. Conclusion

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3.1 Politeness

3.2 Connections

3.3 Food

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3.2 Connections

• Guanxi are the connections.

• There are also laws, but these only count for those which do not have connections.

‘The law is a piece of paper, you can tear it up and throw it away’ (p. 117).

• The cultivation of connections is vital and guarantees a maximum of safety.

• However, connections do not only enrich human relations they also complicate them. Moreover, Guanxi is very expensive.

1. Introduction

2. Cultural frame



5. Conclusion

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3.1 Politeness

3.2 Connections

3.3 Food

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3.3 Food

‘How eats, is a king’ (p. 172).

• Chinese has a very oral imagery.

• Eating can become the main theme during a conversation.

• The Chinese kitchen is very creative. Animals‘ life in this culture is hard.

• Eating represents social life and consumption, and consumption is prestige. Thus, one gladly invites friends, business partners and relatives for diner.

1. Introduction

2. Cultural frame



5. Conclusion


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4.1 Between resentments and hospitality

4.2 „Chinese right!“ – what foreigners should take into account

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„The culture of the Western people consists of sex, drugs and aids. All Germans lie naked in parks in the summer. German men have a beer belly and look if they are pregnant in the seventh month” (p. 200).

1. Introduction

2. Cultural frame



5. Conclusion

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• Foreigners often face resistance and hostility. This can be explained by China’s decades of shielding and insidious policy on foreigners.

• The outstanding consciousness of one’s own exclusiveness influences the social intercourse with foreigners.

‘You will never understand us because you are foreigners’ (p. 212).

• Protective instinct or compassionate ignorance are the determinants of readiness to help.

1. Introduction

2. Cultural frame



5. Conclusion

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4.2 „Chinese right!“ – what foreigners should take into account

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4.2 „Chinese right!“

• Generally appear groom, men with beards are not really welcome!

• Never put the chopsticks crossed own your bowl! This is an omen for quarrel!

• Do not shack hands if greeting someone!

• If you are in a bad mood or have problems keep them by yourself!

• Understate your own abilities!

• If you are praised, refuse it politely!

• Consideration for the face of the others!

• Avoid irony!

1. Introduction

2. Cultural frame



5. Conclusion

5. Conclusion

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5. Conclusion

• In the first part of her book the author fascinates the reader with her terse and amusing style of writing.

• The second part connects the pleasure of reading the author’s book with information very charmingly. It is the friendly and critical, but never cynical demonstration of small things.

• Hanne Chen encourages the reader by much background information and amusing stories to reflect his own behaviour in different situations in life; this can especially observed in the third part.

1. Introduction

2. Cultural frame



5. Conclusion

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5. Conclusion

• This book will not take the reader the cultural shock. Nevertheless, Hanne Chen prepares the reader for the foreign culture by her huge historic and social background information.

• An excellent book which gets the reader in the proper mood for China and prepares him very well.

1. Introduction

2. Cultural frame



5. Conclusion

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Thank you very much for your attention!!!

… any questions???

Documents

Cultural Shock China - Hanne Chen - Manuel Simon Asian Studies in Business & Economics, 12 th June 2006