December 9, 2009
Every businessman knows that businesses are conducted differently in every country. In China especially, we all must be aware of these differences. You can always hire a travel assistant, or you can familiarize yourself with some of the basics before you go. Here is a list of simple guidelines that’ll help you better understand the way the Chinese conduct business.
- Be prepared to hand out plenty of business cards, preferably in English and Chinese
- Avoid using the word “no” in dealing in China. Using more ambiguous words is more appropriate and it is also a sign of respect
- Chinese prefer to build a strong and trustful relationship before closing deals. The main reason behind this is because presently, China’s legal system is incomplete
- Sometimes, businesses are done through more casual social interactions, such as; dinners, drinking, tours, rather than in a formal office setting
- As a sign of respect and acknowledgement, you might be asked to drink a little alcohol. This gesture is deeply rooted in Chinese culture
- Chinese will often avoid making direct eye contact in a conversation with the opposite sex or stranger. It is impolite and sign of hostility to stare into another person’s eyes when speaking
- What the Chinese say are sometimes ambiguous, indirect and highly contextual. The real meaning in a conversation is often implied and not directly stated. What was not said is sometimes more important than what was said
- When meeting someone initially, it is expected for the two parties to engage in general conversation, or small talks before turning to business
- In China, the number six, eight and nine are considered lucky numbers. The number six in Chinese implies smooth sailing, while the number eight represents fortune. Finally, the number nine implies everlasting. The numbers four and seven are unlucky numbers; four stands for death and seven means gone away.
For more information on business practices and sourcing in China, please visit our website at http://www.csandcm.com/. We are professionals that will help you in every step of the way when sourcing in China.
