A discussion of Chinese culture as it may impact on foreigners who do business there, invest in that country, or wish to travel there with more insight into what is going on than most tourists manage.
This is a ten-chapter book about Chinese culture and contains much advice on how to work successfully within it. Although aimed at business people, it contains information of value to any tourist or those going to live there. There is also a summary of Chinese history, politics, society and the economy since 1949.
Professional Reviews
Chinese Business Etiquette and Culture
A book titled Chinese Business Etiquette and Culture may seem daunting at first, even boring, but author Kevin Barry Bucknall manages to make the text not only essential but interesting as well. That's not to say that it resembles reading the comics. It is, after all, a type of textbook that contains a lot of information acting to inform general. At times, this book borders on stereotyping, such as "The bossy, interfering, middle-aged woman." Although the author does acknowledge this in a preface. Bucknall's writing has an endearing quality, reminiscent of The Accidental Tourist making his way through China as best as possible.
China is a fascinating country, and one, as Bucknall explains, that is shrouded in mystery, "a secretive society." He offers advice, some that is common sense and some that is not. For example, he says to avoid the phrase "I hope you are well," and not to ask if it is going to rain.
Much of his advice may seem trivial to non-Chinese, but they can be major blunders when doing business in China, such as not understanding that laughter serves as a defense mechanism or that spitting is common. He covers behavior, the business process, meetings, negotiating, and living and working in China. Abbreviations and charts are also provided to break down their customs and culture as well as an appendix to explain China's history, politics and economics.
While the book isn't for everyone, those who want to do business in China may find they cannot succeed without it. The information does get a little repetitive, with 218 pages it is easy to see why, but the pay off should be worth it.
Comment: Highly Recommended
Reviewed by: Rebecca Stow, BookReviewClub.com
5 STARS Invaluable!!
If you ever need to do business in China then don't start anything until you've read this book. It will save you time, money and your sanity! After reading this book we took advice from it and saved a valuable business deal by using some of the knowledge Kevin Bucknall has compiled from his time spent there. This is a seriously good book even if you just want to travel in China as it tells you all you need to know to get the best from your time there." (Sheila Waterman, Australia)
5 Stars. When West meets East - -Two cents from a Chinese
Chinese Business Etiquette and Culture is a most persuasive book on Chinese culture and society I've ever read. Mr. Bucknall is really an expert on China!
Just as proclaimed in the preface, '...how to improve your behaviour to achieve greater success is explained in the context of Chinese culture. The information is practical and provided in a simple and direct way.'
In this book, you can find many practical and interesting examples of cultural shocks westerners would expect in China. For example, in China, "man in a green hat " is a metaphor that his wife or lover has an affair with another guy. Amusingly, I personally happen to have read a true story elsewhere: " Several years ago, a Washington state agricultural delegate used green hats as presents in China*. No recipient bothered to put on it." Another example is about Guanxi -- a network of personal relationships with Chinese characteristic, which I bet will be of immense interest to business men. I absolutely agree with the author that Guanxi is the secret of being successful in China.
Many business tactics are taught, which deeply impressed me, an individual born and raised in China. One instance is negotiating skills covered in depth. You may also be interested in learning about Chinese business law from this book.
Although the good news is that Chinese people are more and more understanding towards foreign cultures because of globalization, there is one thing that I can't refrain from not telling: the bloody history between China and Japan in the war from 1937 till 1945. The Nanjing Massacre is a typical example. The most exasperating thing to us Chinese is that until today the Japanese has never formally apologized for their atrocity in the war . A Canadian liquor trader's experience* in Shanghai is a good lesson to those ignorant of that history. He told Chinese reporters that he was confident in the marketing prospect of his products in China because they were very popular in culturally similar Japan. His liquor never sold well.
However, you may find yourself overwhelmed by the large number of details, a very small part of which are even minor to us Chinese. One such example is Not to Ask about the Weather. In my opinion, this is a small drawback of this book.
Highly recommend!".. (Jiang Fu, Japan)
Exploring the impact of literary icon Flannery O'Connor's noted legacy on the cultural realities of modern-day America, the world, and a certain author.
Exploring the impact of literary icon Flannery O'Connor's noted legacy on the cultural realities of modern-day America, the world, and a certain author.
Yankee Doodle Daddy is a historical Appalachian Family Saga. The story follows a mother's reckoning as she struggles to survive and keep her four daughters alive.
