Chinese vs. Western Etiquette
read this book recently on Chinese business etiquette, I thought it's very interesting that the author's able to capture some of the principle differences between the East and the West. book excerpts below:
pg. 5 "... And one of the happy characteristics of etiquette is that one is seldom faulted for conservatism. Following traditionally acceptable practices could conceivably cause you to appear old-fashioned, but it will never put you at risk of committing a faux pas.
... The majority of situations, attitudes, and practices discussed are undoubtedly timeless as far as the Chinese are concerned. The use of guanxi -- connections -- isn't likely to lose its tremendous importance in the foreseeable future, nor are the Chinese likely to abandon their fixation with the concept of mianzi, or face. ... "
Chapter 1 - pg. 7 ".. Since Confucius codified the universe of interpersonal relationships and their associated duties nearly 2,500 years ago, the Chinese have had an established set of principles governing etiquette on which they have always been able to rely.
China has historically been a highly homogeneous society with little tolerance for deviation from generally accepted norms of behaviour. To most Chinese there are proper and improper ways for people to behave toward one another, and you will seldom hear much argument as to exactly what these are. Precisely because they tend to share a set of assumptions about how to act, the Chinese are fond of lecturing one anohter about what consititutes proper behaviour in a given situation. Ther eare relatively few grey areas, even in what is becoming an increasingly complex society.
... On the contrary; the body of knowledge concerning proper behaviour is greatly revered and not considered to be easily acquired; no one who was not raised Chinese can reasonably be expected ever to master it completely.
The Chinese are probably correct in this last assertion. You'll never be as Chinese as the Chinese; in fact, if you were not born Chinese, you'll never be Chinese at all, no matter how much you understand about them. But ... there are nonetheless considerable benefits to be derived by trying to master the art. "
Chapter IV, "Some Basic Cultural Differences" -- pg. 44 "Individualism vs. Group-Centeredness"
"The single most important and fundamental difference between Chinese and Westerners is undoubtedly the role played by the individual in the society. In the West, we place a strong emphasis on personal achievement, creativity, and initiative. We glory in our individual differences, nurture them and value them as the essential features that make us unique. Indeed, uniqueness is a goal onto itself in America; it's vitally important to us that we not be exactly like other people.
... The premium among Western peoples is not on comformity; it is on individual expression and rugged independence.
In China, on the other hand -- and on both sides of the Taiwan Strait -- children are given an entirely different set of messages: Don't question the world around you or try to change it; accept it. Submit willingly and unquestioningly to authority. Your importance as an individual is not nearly as great as that of the role you play in a larger group. "
pg 50 "Confucianism
The position of the individual in Chinese society cannot be fully understood without a discussion of the thought of the sage Confucius (551-479B.C.) and his disciples, which has exerted a potent influence on Chiense culture through the centuries. Confucianism is actually more a system of ethics and morals tthan a religion per se, and it stresses the obligations of people to one another as a function of the relationships among them.
... " (more to come)
pg. 5 "... And one of the happy characteristics of etiquette is that one is seldom faulted for conservatism. Following traditionally acceptable practices could conceivably cause you to appear old-fashioned, but it will never put you at risk of committing a faux pas.
... The majority of situations, attitudes, and practices discussed are undoubtedly timeless as far as the Chinese are concerned. The use of guanxi -- connections -- isn't likely to lose its tremendous importance in the foreseeable future, nor are the Chinese likely to abandon their fixation with the concept of mianzi, or face. ... "
Chapter 1 - pg. 7 ".. Since Confucius codified the universe of interpersonal relationships and their associated duties nearly 2,500 years ago, the Chinese have had an established set of principles governing etiquette on which they have always been able to rely.
China has historically been a highly homogeneous society with little tolerance for deviation from generally accepted norms of behaviour. To most Chinese there are proper and improper ways for people to behave toward one another, and you will seldom hear much argument as to exactly what these are. Precisely because they tend to share a set of assumptions about how to act, the Chinese are fond of lecturing one anohter about what consititutes proper behaviour in a given situation. Ther eare relatively few grey areas, even in what is becoming an increasingly complex society.
... On the contrary; the body of knowledge concerning proper behaviour is greatly revered and not considered to be easily acquired; no one who was not raised Chinese can reasonably be expected ever to master it completely.
The Chinese are probably correct in this last assertion. You'll never be as Chinese as the Chinese; in fact, if you were not born Chinese, you'll never be Chinese at all, no matter how much you understand about them. But ... there are nonetheless considerable benefits to be derived by trying to master the art. "
Chapter IV, "Some Basic Cultural Differences" -- pg. 44 "Individualism vs. Group-Centeredness"
"The single most important and fundamental difference between Chinese and Westerners is undoubtedly the role played by the individual in the society. In the West, we place a strong emphasis on personal achievement, creativity, and initiative. We glory in our individual differences, nurture them and value them as the essential features that make us unique. Indeed, uniqueness is a goal onto itself in America; it's vitally important to us that we not be exactly like other people.
... The premium among Western peoples is not on comformity; it is on individual expression and rugged independence.
In China, on the other hand -- and on both sides of the Taiwan Strait -- children are given an entirely different set of messages: Don't question the world around you or try to change it; accept it. Submit willingly and unquestioningly to authority. Your importance as an individual is not nearly as great as that of the role you play in a larger group. "
pg 50 "Confucianism
The position of the individual in Chinese society cannot be fully understood without a discussion of the thought of the sage Confucius (551-479B.C.) and his disciples, which has exerted a potent influence on Chiense culture through the centuries. Confucianism is actually more a system of ethics and morals tthan a religion per se, and it stresses the obligations of people to one another as a function of the relationships among them.
... " (more to come)
Labels: Chinese
-- posted by Pooh Bear @
6/10/2007 11:20:00 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home