Turning Bricks into Jade: Critical Incidents for Mutual Understanding among Chinese and Americans [Paperback]

Mary Margaret Wang (Author), Richard W. Brislin (Author), Wie-zhong Wang (Author), David Williams (Author), Julie Haiyan Chao (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1877864811 | ISBN-13: 978-1877864810 | Publication Date: September 1, 2000

Ever wonder how to bridge the gap between East and West? Turning Bricks into Jade: Critical Incidents for Mutual Understanding Among Chinese and Americans tries to build just such a bridge between China and America. Misunderstandings between these cultures are complicated because there are so many aspects to consider. But Turning Bricks into Jade clarifies these issues by exploring Chinese and American interactions through forty-one cultural incidents. Each incident relates a miscommunication or complicated situation and is followed by a discussion of possible solutions, based on the authors' experiences and grounded in current research.Turning Bricks into Jade also covers key theoretical concepts in Chinese-American interactions, such as individualism versus collectivism, hierarchies, gender relations in the workplace, deference to authority, work incentives, and concepts of ownership. Turning Bricks into Jade can be used in almost any setting: business training, the classroom, pre-departure orientation, or at home. With these tools, you'll be well on your way to understanding Chinese culture and improving your own East and West relations! Turning Bricks into Jade is impressive for its rigorous research and writing. Throughout, the authors seems to anticipate most counter-arguments and provide rejoinders. Various audiences will find this book beneficial. It is written in a language and style that are easy to understand and appealing to both practitioners and academicians. Most importantly, the longer incidents provide a chance for us to peel back the various layers of culture and find out that there are deeper meanings and issues embedded in each case. The result is an interesting and useful book, which can help create a better perspective on cross-cultural dialogue.-Leeva C. Chung, International Journal of Intercultural Relations 25 (2001) This book is a must for those who intend to spend some time in mainland China or engage in intense interaction with the Chinese people. The critical incidents are carefully selected to cover areas known to be the breeding ground of cross-cultural misunderstanding and miscommunication. The insight gained from going through these critical incidents will be essential in building a positive, effective relationship with the Chinese people.-Kwok Leung, Professor of Management, City University of Hong Kong This is a very profound and intelligent book for anyone who works or plans to work with Chinese people. Congratulations for this practical tool, for trainers as well as for trainees.-Bettina Proksch, GinkoConsult, BerlinContentsAcknowledgmentsIntroduction1 Concepts for Analyzing Cross-Cultural Conflicts between Chinese and Americans2 At Home3 Traveling4 The Workplace: Understanding Relationships with Colleagues5 The Workplace: Motivations6 The Workplace: Negotiations7 Academia: Understanding Relationships with Authority8 Academia: Disconfirmed ExpectationsAppendixReferencesAbout the AuthorsIndex of Incidents According to Themes and Concepts

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Turning Bricks Into Jade is the result of a highly collaborative effort on the part of the authors. Mary Wang, Richard Brislin, Wei-zhong Wang, David Williams, and Julie Haiyan Chao represent a wide range of diverse socialization and experiences in both Chinese and American cultures.

Product Details

• Paperback: 244 pages
• Publisher: Nicholas Brealey Publishing (September 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1877864811
• ISBN-13: 978-1877864810
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,222,882 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Turning Bricks into Jade, July 16, 2009

By 

S. C. Wiesenauer (St. Paul, MN USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Turning Bricks into Jade: Critical Incidents for Mutual Understanding among Chinese and Americans (Paperback)

Turning Bricks into Jade is a great resource for nurturing mutual understanding between Chinese and Americans. If you are in business, education, have Chinese friends, or occsionally rub shoulders with Chinese this book is ideal for strengthening relationships. This is a fun and informative read, and the "critical incidents" are quite memorable.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Choose another book instead, July 22, 2011

By 

cls - See all my reviews

This review is from: Turning Bricks into Jade: Critical Incidents for Mutual Understanding among Chinese and Americans (Paperback)

For what this book tries to accomplish, there are much better books: Encountering the Chinese, by Hu Wenzhong et al, and Communicating Effectively With the Chinese, by Ge Gao and Stella Ting Toomey. These books deliver far more insight, wisdom and analysis. If you're looking for a Reader's Digest/Family Circle/Parade Magazine treatment of the issue, however, then this book is your best choice: it's light and thin.