All About Business!
Let's get down to business... to defeat the Huns! #mulan
Back on topic:
When thinking about business, the first thing that pops into my head at least, is a bunch of suits sitting in a conference room eyeing a presentation with a dubious expression on their face. I see them drink there water or often their coffee, while listening and looking at their coworkers. This is how I imagine stereotypical American business works. However, I know that in other culture's business practices, quotas, and deadlines are far less important than the relationships one has with their coworkers. In studying Chinese culture, I see what Chinese business culture looks like; from their nonverbal cues, their interpersonal dialogue, and how they view structural hierarchy China is rich in business etiquette.
In China, when greeting fellow coworkers or business partners, it's appropriate to make brief eye contact and smile. It's appropriate to shake hands but only if the Chinese counterpart approaches it first with their hand out. In conversation and conversation starters, small talk is very significant. Along with the face work that is important, small talk is seen as an extension to the face work that is done in business interpersonal relationships. Whether it's talk about the weather, family, friends, events, hobbies or just what's on your mind, this contributes to a welcoming environment.
Dress and personal appearance also demonstrates facework and professionalism. It's common for business professional attire to be warn at most times during business. It's also very common to have a company uniform with the logo or slogan on it, uniting the workers, and contributing to the common shared goals. Avoid wearing white in most settings - it is the color of death, with white roses being a common condolence at funeral services.
Bringing a gift to business partners, deals, or new alliances is a cultural Chinese norm. These gifts must be introduced at the beginning of a meeting and are often accepted with both hands extended outward and a smile. Usually, gifts are presented by a group to the most senior partner of the business deal. This demonstrates respect, formality, and gratitude.
In interpersonal communication within business deals, there may be a number of potential communication challenges. These could be, formality and punctuality, business negotiation, and seating arrangements. Within formality, it's important to recognize that if an American was working in China they would have to be aware of punctuality to work, which is a very important part of the working Chinese day. American negotiations and Chinese negotiations are very different because Chinese people have a higher aptitude for saving face, instead of laying out all cards on the table per se. Negotiations are often done when coworkers are together after hours and possibly going out for drinks. When posing an idea, it can be taken and pondered and if the idea does not work, alcohol could be blamed. This level of indirect communication could be difficult to adapt to if an American was working in China.
Putting myself into the shoes of Chinese worker who just moved to the U.S. I would help give them some general advice of how to deal with conflict management and decision-making skills. I would help explain how negotiations are handled in person- face to face and how this is not an attack or viewed as insulting to their personality. I would also help them by possibly bringing them to witness some conflict management as well as attitudes towards work. All in all, it would be a cultural adjustment, but would be worth it.
-AL