Differences China vs West
| Aspect |
West |
China |
| Time |
On-time: punctual. Care about deadlines. Time is money. Don’t waste any time, get right down to business |
Less punctual. Deadlines can be changed if there is a reason for it (there always is…). Time is a tool in negotiations (if you have more than your “opponent”). Take things slow |
|
| Self |
Individual is important |
Group is important. Preservation of harmony |
|
| Conflict resolution |
By contracts, court, lawyers, publicity, pressure. Economics comes first |
By mediation through third parties. Keep face. Re-assessment and reconfirmation of interests. Relationship comes first. Loyalty to this relationship is key |
|
| Trust |
High trust. Possible trust issues are covered by law, contracts. Can get into business immediately |
Low trust. Protect yourself by first working on relationship. Taking initial steps slow. Focus on relationship first. Trust the people near yourself. Never loose face to them. Never trust someone outside your direct close circle |
|
| Face/Reputation |
Care about reputation. |
Care about face. Always try and avoid loosing face or making loose face |
|
| Communication |
Direct, complete |
Indirect, subtle. Never disclose more information than necessary. Some topics are sensitive and cannot be discussed. But other topics which may seem very personal and sensitive like health, finance, and discussed completely open |
|
| Business priority |
Economics |
Not always clear. Can be money, face, political, nationalistic, can be loose in order to win |
|
| Emotional |
Self expression |
Self restrain |
|
| Negotiations |
Start from the very first moment. End with a contract |
Only start after a relationship has been made and trust has been established. Real negotiations start after signing contract. Negotiations can be re-opened at any given moment making previous agreements invalid |
|
| Humility |
Humility is a sign of weakness. You are always doing GREAT |
Humility is a virtue. You are always doing so-so. And laugh away compliments. Giving compliments is better than taking them |
|
In the images (infographics) below. the cultural differences between the West and China are shown graphically.
Communication and self-expression
Lifestyle: independent vs dependent
Punctuality
Human network: connections and contacts
Attitude towards anger
Standing in line
Size of Ego / importance of the self
Streets on Sundays
People at parties
Sound level in restaurants
Fashionable tan level
Problem solving
3 meals a day
Evolution of transport over the last 3 decades
Life after retirement
Time of showers
Mood and weather
View of superiors
Family and children
Approach to something new
Travel spirit
Fashionable dinner
Drinks
Perception: how Germans and Chinese see each other
On the beach
Images are property of Yang Liu. http://www.yangliudesign.com/ |
