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Did you know...?• Alpha Translations Canada Inc. offers a wide variety of language services! • Alpha Translations Canada Inc. has translators living in different time zones and can therefore offer you quicker turnaround times! • Alpha Translations Canada Inc. has completed projects up to 800 pages within 5 days! We always have capacity! • Alpha Translations Canada Inc. has bilingual Project Managers! Cultural GuidesContinuing on with our monthly "Cultural Guides", this month we would like to introduce China.... Please click here to read the complete Culture Guide! Making appointments Being late for an appointment is considered a serious insult in Chinese business culture. The best times for scheduling appointments are April to June and September to October. Business and government hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday. There is, however, a five-day work week in larger cities. Do avoid plans to visit government offices on Friday afternoon, because this is sometimes reserved for 'political studying' of the officials. What you should know before a business meeting Speak in short, simple, sentences free of jargon and slang. Pause frequently, so that people will be able to understand everything you've said... Printed presentation materials of any kind should be only in black and white. Avoid colours that are attributed special meanings in this culture, many of them negative.... "Saving face" is an important concept to understand. In Chinese business culture, a person's reputation and social standing rests on this concept. Causing embarrassment or loss of composure, even unintentionally, can be disastrous for business negotiations. The Chinese are very keen about exchanging business cards, so be sure to bring a plentiful supply. Ensure that one side is in English and the other is in Chinese, preferably in the local dialect...What you should know before negotiating Present your card with two hands, and ensure that the Chinese side is facing the recipient. When receiving a business card, make a show of examining it carefully for a few moments; then, carefully place it into your card case or on the table, if you are seated at one... Entertaining for business success Business lunches are growing in popularity here. Business breakfasts, however, are not a part of Chinese business culture, except in Guangdong, Hangzhou and Fujian province where the 'Morning Tea' is very popular. Evening banquets are the most popular occasions for business entertaining. Generally, these events start between 5:30 p.m.-6:00 p.m. and last for two hours. If you are the guest, you should arrive on time... During a meal, as many as 20-30 courses can be served, so try not to eat too much at once. The best policy is to lightly sample each dish. Leaving a 'clean plate' is perceived to mean that you were not given enough food--a terrible insult here. On the other hand, leaving a food offering untouched will also give offense...Forming a personal relationship ['guanxi' in Chinese] in your business dealings is very important. Part of this involves participating in the strong drinking culture that exists here. Generally, the Chinese regard with suspicion anyone who does not participate in the inevitable drinking that takes place during almost all business dinners. And it is at these kinds of social occasions that most negotiating breakthroughs are made. Prepare some medical excuses for yourself to avoid drinking heavily; if you really wish to avoid alcohol, your companions will accept medical excuses.Acceptable public conduct The Chinese will sometimes nod as an initial greeting. Bowing is seldom used except in ceremonies. Handshakes are also popular; wait, however, for your Chinese counterpart to initiate the gesture... The Chinese do not use their hands when speaking, and will only become annoyed with a speaker who does. The Chinese, especially those who are older and in positions of authority, dislike being touched by strangers... Please click here to read the complete Culture Guide! |
