Chinese Business Etiquette and Culture (Paperback)

~ Keven Bucknall (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

In this book, you will be introduced to the basics of Chinese culture. You will discover how to initiate contact, what to expect in meetings, and how to behave there. You will learn the way the Chinese approach negotiations, discover how you can respond to them, and learn how to negotiate a successful conclusion. You will also find out how to socialize for success, how to cope with specific problems of living and working in China, and the best way to treat Chinese visitors to your organization. You are given practical advice throughout on business etiquette, and on how to fit into Chinese cultural expectations in order to achieve your goals. An appendix briefly explains Chinese history, and then considers recent economic, political, and social changes. If you fit any one of the following descriptions, this book will provide valuable help to you in your chosen field: - I am a business person and I am thinking of moving into the China market to buy or sell, or I already buy or sell in China, or I am contemplating investing in China. - I work for the government and I would like to know more about China, its business practices, and how to deal with the Chinese I meet. - I am a university professor and I teach a course about doing business in China, or the Chinese economy and society, or cross cultural management problems, or law and international negotiating practices. - I am a student and I am studying China, or taking courses about cross cultural management, or doing business in China, or international business studies, or negotiating abroad. For author bio and photo, reviews and a reading sample, go to bosonbooks.com

Product Details

• Paperback: 276 pages
• Publisher: C & M Online (January 6, 1900)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0917990447
• ISBN-13: 978-0917990441
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #92,638 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars When West meets East, May 5, 2002

By	Jiang Fu (Tokyo,Japan) - See all my reviews

When West meets East
-Two cents from a Chinese

Chinese Business Etiquette and Culture is a most persuasive book on Chinese culture and society I've ever read. Mr. Bucknall is really an expert on China!

Just as proclaimed in the preface, "...how to improve your behaviour to achieve greater success is explained in the context of Chinese culture. The information is practical and provided in a simple and direct way."

In this book, you can find many practical and interesting examples of cultural shocks westerners would expect in China. For example, in China, "man in a green hat " is a metaphor that his wife or lover has an affair with another guy. Amusingly, I personally happen to have read a true story elsewhere: " Several years ago, a Washington state agricultural delegate used green hats as presents in China*. No recipient bothered to put on it." Another example is about Guanxi -- a network of personal relationships with Chinese characteristic, which I bet will be of immense interest to business men. I absolutely agree with the author that Guanxi is the secret of being successful in China.

Many business tactics are taught, which deeply impressed me, an individual born and raised in China. One instance is negotiating skills covered in depth. You may also be interested in learning about Chinese business law from this book.

Although the good news is that Chinese people are more and more understanding towards foreign cultures because of globalization, there is one thing that I can't refrain from not telling: the bloody history between China and Japan in the war from 1937 till 1945. The Nanjing Massacre is a typical example. The most exasperating thing to us Chinese is that until today the Japanese has never formally apologized for their atrocity in the war . A Canadian liquor trader's experience* in Shanghai is a good lesson to those ignorant of that history. He told Chinese reporters that he was confident in the marketing prospect of his products in China because they were very popular in culturally similar Japan. His liquor never sold well.

However, you may find yourself overwhelmed by the large number of details, a very small part of which are even minor to us Chinese. One such example is Not to Ask about the Weather. In my opinion, this is a small drawback of this book.

Highly recommend!...

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Informative book, but very repetitive, September 24, 2006

By	Anon-y-moose (Pennsylvania, USA) - See all my reviews

Potential buyers should keep in mind that this is a book about Chinese business etiquette. It is a specific topic, not a general treatise on Chinese culture.

Buknall is thorough, but repetitive. He beats to death the concepts of hierarchy and waiting for approval from various people/governmental agencies.

He references the late 90's in the book and mentions more than once that certain historical customs are beginning to give way to more modern practices. That was six years ago. Thus, the book is in need of an update.

One other thing I've noticed is the high number of misspelled and missing words. The editor did a very poor job.

Overall, an informative book, but one that could be better.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars DOING BUSINESS IN CHINA, August 2, 2005

By	Mr. Brian N. Cox (Winnipeg, Canada) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I have no hesitation in recommending this book. It is a must read for anyone planning to do business in China.
As of 2005,it is out of date regarding lifestyle and living standards in China, however, the cultural facts are correct, in particular the aspects of culture crucial to negotiating with the Chinese.