What's the difference between Chinese and foreign cultures?

The Little Things That Make a Big Gift

Aired December 17, 2005

Host: In old Beijing, when we meet, the greeting is often "Have you eaten?" My friend once made a joke when he was attending an event, and when he met his foreign friends, he blurted out, "Have you eaten?" They were very honest and said, "We haven't eaten, so it's on you." My friend made a big red face. With more and more opportunities to deal with foreigners, it is especially important to understand some foreign etiquette and master the skills of interacting with foreigners. Today, we will go together to recognize several etiquette experts engaged in foreign-related work.

Interpretation: the picture of this young man called Liu Xiurong, she is the Beihai Park Qionghua Island team Yongan Temple Temple class of a tour guide. In her work, she not only need to master the general knowledge of tour guides, but also in English. This is not, just go to work, Liu Xiurong ran into a pair of foreign couples to the Beihai Park self-guided tour.

Liu Xiu Rong to foreign tourists explain

Liu Xiu Rong: you see that white tower? Seven thousand years ago, that was a palace, and that's where Kublai lived. You know Marco Polo, right? He was an Italian traveler. That's where Marco Polo and Kublai met, so it's very famous.

Interpretation: Liu Xiurong has been a tour guide for eight years, every day to deal with countless foreign friends, for the Chinese and foreign etiquette, cultural differences, she summarized: speak, do to fully understand the habits of foreign tourists, beliefs, taboos, and in the interaction to respect.

Liu Xiurong: for the sake of tourists, to have a degree, to understand the Western culture, because it is the Westerners and some of our Asian way of thinking is not the same. Asians, especially Chinese people pay attention to respect the old, that we are in the process of the guide, encountered the elderly guests we are accustomed to is to assist a hand, especially to catch up with the boat, up and down the steps of the time. But in fact in the West this is more taboo.

Explanation: Ascend the Yongan Temple White Pagoda must pass through the 162 steps, 8 years, Liu Xiurong has lost count of the total **** up and down how many times, but also lost count of how many foreign dignitaries received. After each reception, the foreign guests of her wonderful English explanation, but also often give some small gifts, she still remembers the first time to accept the gifts of foreign guests.

Liu Xiurong: At that time I received the Finnish Defense Forces Commander, and his wife, at the end of the tour, the Defense Forces Commander's wife gave me a very distinctive gift, which is the first time I received a gift from a foreign guest. Because I was studying the guide's code of conduct, I know that in foreign etiquette, when a foreign guest gives you a gift, you should open the gift in front of him, and also appreciate the gift, so I opened the gift.

Explanation: Liu Xiurong said that if she had received the gift directly into her pocket, it would have been an act of rudeness, and then the previous good explanation of the service would have been inferior because of this small rudeness.

Presenter 2: Showing respect for others at the right time and in the right way is etiquette. As for this way of expression is how to need to learn, to understand each other's customs and habits, to understand their cultural background, to understand the corresponding knowledge of etiquette. Also as a service industry, in terms of food and beverage, the difference between Chinese and foreign customs can be said to be far away, but also the least attention. Let's take a look at what the long-established Quanjude has to offer in this regard.

Narrator: Zhang Yinghua, a service supervisor at Beijing's Qianmen Quanjude Restaurant, has worked in restaurant service for many years, and she knows a thing or two about the importance of foreign etiquette.

Front door Quanjude service supervisor Zhang Yinghua: Recently we received a European tour group, I still have a deep impression, the evening of about 6:30 pm, about a group of 20 people, accompanied by the guidance of the restaurant to our dinner. This is the table where they were sitting, and one of them was a handicapped guest who could not see, but he also came to China with the group to travel.

Interpretation: In order to take care of this disabled eye guest, Zhang Yinghua specially arranged some special services for him.

Front door Quanjude service supervisor Zhang Yinghua: In our eyes we feel well taken care of is to eat and drink well, the service staff in order to show warmth, Chinese hospitality, go to help this eye with a disability guests, one by one clip, and then he naturally ate very happy. But the other guests in the neighborhood all looked at each other, and at the waiter, and then at the disabled guest, wanting to say something.

NARRATOR: At the time, all the waiters didn't realize there was anything wrong with their actions, but it was only after the meal that the guide's remark made them realize.

Front door Quanjude service supervisor Zhang Yinghua: Then this accompanied said to us, is this, said they think is no need to take special care of this guest, is to be able to let him eat on it. Then through this matter, I think it is so, is in the eyes of the Chinese and the eyes of the Westerners, the care of the disabled, may not be the same scale, then the Chinese feel is to be special care, but in the eyes of foreigners their self-esteem is relatively strong, he needs to get the same treatment as the normal people.

Explanation: Through communication with the Chinese escort, Zhang Yinghua learned that in Europe and the United States, people believe that letting the disabled person to clip their own food is a sign of respect for him. The special care of the service staff will make the other person feel uncomfortable. Through this incident, make Quanjude understand: warm service must be based on the understanding of the guests' customs and habits.

Zhang Yinghua, service supervisor of Qianmen Quanjude: When welcoming the 27 Olympic assessment teams, Mr. Heinrich Willebrücken and his team were very helpful. Mr. Verbruggen and his party's entire English service. The first ten days, we began to fully learn about the customs of European and American nationals. Then, including from the dishes dishes, and focus on the customs of their various ethnic groups, developed some dishes.

Interpretation: The full preparation won the praise of the Olympic evaluation team. Zhang Yinghua and her colleagues believe that all these preparations, arrangements are to make foreign guests can feel at home. But the welcome should also pay attention to a degree, not only to express the host's friendly hospitality, but also can not be too enthusiastic.

Moderator: Countries all over the world have different or even opposite etiquette and customs. For example, in China, a nod of the head indicates agreement and a shake of the head indicates disagreement. But in some countries, such as Macedonia, Bulgaria and Nepal, it's the other way around: a nod of the head means no and a shake of the head means yes. In addition to the hospitality sector, there are more and more foreigners working in Beijing nowadays. If your colleague is a foreigner, what should you pay attention to in the process of getting along?

Narrator: Sebasten, who came from Sweden, has been working in China for half a year, and one of his favorite things turns out to be the process of greeting each other and his colleagues when they go to work every morning.

Sebasten, a foreign employee of a high-tech company in Zhongguancun, said: In other countries, there is no such phenomenon, and every morning, everyone is just sinking a face, taking their coffee cups and returning to their seats. But when Chinese people come to the office every day, the first thing they do is to exchange pleasantries with each other, which gives me a very, very good feeling.

NARRATOR: But when it comes to the warmth of his coworkers, it has caused Sebastian a lot of embarrassment.

Sebasten, a foreign employee of a high-tech company in Zhongguancun, said: Most of the time, Chinese people are very enthusiastic, but sometimes they are too enthusiastic. Especially when they sit at a table, they often give me something I don't like to eat, such as pig's ear, and I feel very embarrassed. I tried to eat it, but I can tell you I didn't like it. All I did was smile and people would continue to put it on my plate, but it was a very bad feeling.

The company has eight expatriate employees, and there are a lot of awkward things that happen in this company because of the different etiquette and customs of the Chinese and foreign colleagues.

Zhongguancun, a high-tech company responsible for: the original foreign just came to our company, we are to arrange them in the holidays on Sunday or Saturday, to some of the scenic spots in Beijing to play to visit, then the custom of the Chinese side is to drive the senior management, personally to accompany.

Narrator: But this goodwill of the Chinese colleagues was not recognized by the expatriate staff.

The head of a high-tech company in Zhongguancun: At the beginning of the cooperation, we are out of the idea of Chinese etiquette, but the foreign side that the weekend, especially Saturday, Sunday, is a rare time of rest, then the rest of the time of each employee, whether it is the executives, or the ordinary employees are equal, then this time he thinks that the executives to accompany them, it should be to be something out of the ordinary. They don't want to accept it, or don't want to bother.

Explanation: There is a foreign colleague from Canada who usually likes to drink beer, and the story around the beer is still fresh in everyone's mind.

Zhongguancun, a high-tech company translation: in the drinking time, clinking glasses when there is to pay attention to, is certainly to say that the position of the higher people, his cup is certainly on top. But for his employees, who are junior to him, the top of the cup will be in the middle of his cup, or a little bit further down, so as to show our respect.

NARRATOR: One such interesting incident occurred during a meal between this expatriate colleague and a Chinese employee younger than himself.

Zhongguancun a high-tech company translation: in the clinking of glasses in the process, it produced Mr. Li the more the cup has been put down, Peeta would like to level with him, so so to toast. So this thing, let Peeta summarized that at that time do not know what he was doing? He finally listened to me explain to him, he said in our foreign countries, all the people, because everyone has a fixed pattern in the mind, everyone is equal, it is not possible to who is above who, who is below who, from then on, in the drinking time, there has never been such a joke.

Explanation: There are many other companies in a similar situation to this high-tech company. Nokia is a relatively large multinational enterprise, the composition of the staff from more than 50 countries and regions of the world. Not long ago, the company specially organized a "foreign etiquette publicity" as the theme of the skit show.

The type of flower to be given to a lady when picking up an airplane or offering a rose is very specific. It is not appropriate to give roses representing love at the airport.

Shaw Jieyun, vice president of Nokia Corporation China Investment Limited: also from different Chinese and foreign employees experienced from personal experience, many times to contact people from different countries, your country and his cultural background, etiquette is not the same, some of the things that we ourselves touched the nails, some of the things that foreigners touched the nails.

Nokia Consulting Greater China Director Yang Dapeng: We try to use a more vivid, interesting way to show in the Chinese and foreign exchanges in the small section, because of cultural differences caused by some misunderstandings and small sections. These are put forward for everyone to pay attention to in the future in Chinese and foreign exchanges.

Rituals of foreign guests at formal dinners

Swedes shook hands, Thais folded their hands, and Arabs warmly embraced

Shaw Jieyun, vice president of Nokia China Investment Ltd: I think we should be open and receptive to such an attitude. After all, we have different backgrounds and cultures, we have to have a compatible, compatible with each other, but also to appreciate each other's strengths, but also to be able to compatible with each other's weaknesses which is open and mutual a state.

Host: I once heard a story about a company that invited foreign clients to dinner, and one of the foreign guests pointed to a fish in a glass tank in the restaurant lobby and said, "This fish looks so cute, just like my pet." The accompanying Chinese employee heard this and told the chef to steam the fish. When the fish was served, the foreign client simply said, "I can't eat such a cute thing," and left. Many people regard the etiquette as a minor detail, and often because in some business or social occasions ignore these so-called "minor details", resulting in the loss of our major events, really should be the Chinese saying: because of small losses. Therefore, in terms of foreign etiquette, the "small details" can achieve great gifts.

Foreign relations to respect the privacy of others

The difference between Chinese and foreign customs have a certain understanding of people know: in the treatment of personal privacy on specific issues, the Chinese traditional practices and many countries are often very different.

According to the general thinking of the Chinese people, there is no such thing as a "secret" when people get along with each other, especially between friends and relatives. A decent person should not do anything in secret. In many countries around the world, however, people attach great importance to the issue of personal privacy. Protecting the privacy of citizens is often one of the basic rights given to citizens by law; not prying into personal privacy is regarded as one of the important signs of civilization of a modern man. At present, respect for personal privacy has gradually become an international practice. In foreign relations, people need to pay high attention to it.

The so-called personal privacy, in a general sense, refers to a person out of personal dignity or other special considerations, and is not willing to disclose, do not want outsiders to understand the private matters or personal secrets. Respect for personal privacy, here mainly refers to the contact with foreign guests in a variety of ways, we must pay attention to the other party's right to privacy to be respected, shall not be involved in the other party's personal privacy issues for no reason.

When interacting with foreign guests, do not take the initiative to inquire about each other's personal privacy, such as income and expenditure, age, love and marriage, health status, personal experience, political views and beliefs, living habits, home address, busy with what private issues. In addition to not asking for privacy, people should also strive to protect privacy. The so-called protection of privacy means that people should do their best not to spread or disclose private issues in foreign relations. In other words, to take the initiative to take the necessary measures to maintain personal privacy.

When socializing with foreign guests, do not speak frankly about your privacy, or even "publicize" it intentionally or unintentionally. In foreign relations, talk about personal privacy and will not be seen by foreign guests as frank, and will either be seen as uneducated, or will be understood as ulterior motives. At the same time, care should be taken not to disseminate, divulge or spread the privacy of others to foreign guests. It is important not to disclose to the outside world any personal information that a foreign guest has voluntarily disclosed to the outside world, whether in public or in private. Otherwise, it will be contrary to the basic principles of foreign relations, and will lose the trust of foreign guests, and even cause trouble. Jinlong

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The "five precepts" for those who go abroad

Published: 2002-11-22

In recent years, all kinds of overseas travelers of our university have been sent to the United States for the first time. The personnel abroad (abroad) in the country (abroad), in the face of the complex international social environment, in order to safeguard China's national security and interests, to prevent infringement of personal property, should consciously do the following "five precepts":

A precept of unchaste temperament

The Chinese people is a nation of respect for temperament. Maintain integrity, the heart is the most powerful weapon to prevent theft, anti-reverse, anti-infiltration personnel abroad (territory). However, there are individual personnel abroad (abroad) can not withstand the temptation of money, beauty, succumbed to the other side of the coercion and intimidation, and even defected to the enemy. Some of the personnel abroad (abroad) to foreign countries, looking for all kinds of opportunities to stay behind; some abroad (abroad) personnel obsessed with beauty, caught in the other side of the tender trap, lost their footing; some greedy for money, as a prisoner of money, by the other side of the use; some in the other side of the coercion and intimidation, groveling, the other side of the ship of thieves; and some even in order to successfully apply for visas, the other side of the question, ask questions and answer, and leaking Some even ask and answer questions to the other party in order to smoothly apply for visas, leaking state secrets; some even disregard shame and ask foreigners for money and goods, disgracing the Chinese people. Therefore, go abroad (border) personnel must have a strong spirit of patriotism, to do: not be bought by money, not for the material lure, not for the beauty of the heart, not be intimidated by yielding, do not do damage to the country's character, personality things.

The second ring loss of vigilance

The reason why the personnel abroad (territory) outside the problem, in addition to the country (territory) outside the complex environment, the other side of the cunning, hidden means and other objective factors, mainly because of their own lack of due vigilance, precautionary awareness is not strong, lax anti-crime measures to others to take advantage of the opportunity. In terms of confidentiality, foreign spy intelligence agencies and unscrupulous business associations often take material inducements, money to buy, beauty to seduce, conditions of promise, coercion and intimidation, technical theft and other means, and constantly will be stealing the black hand of confidentiality to go abroad (abroad) personnel. However, some of the personnel abroad for the convenience of work, carrying confidential documents or internal information out of the country, and no one to keep these documents, randomly enter and exit the public **** occasions, resulting in loss of confidentiality, leakage of confidentiality; there are also government officials and economic and trade personnel, in order to attract investment, the other side of the issues raised, without analysis, blurted out, so as to disclose the state secrets and negotiation of the bottom line, resulting in the work of the passive.

This is the first time that a government official has been in a position to analyze the issues raised by the other party.

For normal contacts and religious activities in the ideological infiltration, some people abroad (abroad) is a lack of vigilance, not see through, can not be broken, some also participated in foreign religious organizations.

In this regard, the personnel abroad (abroad) to strengthen the concept of confidentiality, consciously abide by the confidentiality system; enhance the prevention of theft, anti-surveillance, anti-reverse consciousness, to overcome the paralysis and the sense of chance.

Three quit not abide by the law and discipline

The personnel abroad (territory) outside, far from the motherland, far from the organization, far from their loved ones, must understand and abide by the laws and regulations of the host country, to restrain their own words and deeds, not to go to the improper place of activity, do not do "out of the ordinary" things. Otherwise, you will harm yourself and your country. For example, some people go to foreign countries (territory), in and out of pornographic places, for the beauty of the infatuation, the results of people and money, giving people the handle, by the spy intelligence agencies to pull down. Some of them break away from the group and prefer to move around alone, but as a result, they are robbed and their personal properties are violated. You should also familiarize yourself with some special legal regulations of your country. For example: some countries require foreigners to apply for a visa on arrival, or passport held on time to renew the visa, otherwise, will be fined or suspended from its activities; some national laws, picking up discarded items is illegal; some countries require foreigners are not allowed to engage in business activities without permission, are not allowed to make a career; Arab and other countries are not allowed to bring alcoholic beverages into the country.

In addition, the personnel abroad (border) also need to comply with the foreign affairs discipline and the internal rules and regulations of the group, all actions to listen to the leadership of the group arrangements, adhere to the collective action. In the event of emergencies and suspicious situations, timely report to the leadership of the group or report to the local embassy or consulate, it is too late to report must be properly dealt with, and then reported in a timely manner.

The four commandments are not familiar with the customs

As the saying goes, "to enter the country and ask the ban, into the country and ask the custom, the door and ask the taboo", the people abroad (territory) to understand and respect the country (region) of the customs and habits, or else, it will cause the other side of the misunderstanding, bring trouble and inconvenience. Such as: the cow in India is worshiped as a god and everywhere by the local people's respect; some Arab countries do not allow men and women counterparts; Islamic people in the "Ramadan" period fasting and so on.

Chinese and foreign customs are very different. Such as the Chinese like yellow and red, while the Mexicans taboo yellow and red; Chinese peacocks and cranes as auspicious birds, while the British are considered obscene birds, birds of woe; Chinese like elephants, while the British are considered stupid elephants; Chinese believe that the even-numbered auspicious, while Japan, Bulgaria to the odd-numbered for good luck, the even-numbered is sinister. In terms of behavior, Chinese people touch children's heads to show intimacy, but many countries in Southeast Asia consider the head to be sacrosanct and do not allow others to touch it. Chinese people like to talk about their family, health, income, etc., while Westerners treat these as private matters that they do not want to tell. Chinese people like to say "congratulations on your fortune", but Singaporeans hate this kind of blessing.

The five commandments are not formal

Some people abroad (territory) are not formal, in the public **** occasions like no one else, loud noise, vulgarity, jaw-dropping; some at the table, slurping, eating looks abominable, be pointed out; some spitting, littering, was fined; some in the park visit, casually climbed the flowers, branches, teasing the animals were fined; Even the local officials received a group, a member of a hand in the pocket, a hand out to shake hands with each other, so that the other party is not happy, resulting in the failure of cooperation. From this point of view, the personnel abroad (abroad), if the words and deeds of the behavior is not formal, speak and act too casually, not only affects the image and reputation of the Chinese people, and even affect the official business and normal contacts. Therefore, personnel going abroad should learn and master some etiquette of foreign relations, dress neatly, behave decently, politely and civilized, and maintain the image of the Chinese people. (Security Department announced)