Encountering the Chinese - A Guide for Americans, Second Edition

To fathom the complex culture of China is a daunting task, but Hu Wenzhong and Cornelius Grove, in this substantially revised and updated edition of their popular book, have risen to the challenge. They provide a practical and sensitive cross-cultural analysis of Chinese culture along with insights into how best to communicate and interact with Chinese people. As the economic and diplomatie climate in China has changed, the frequency of contact between Chinese and Americans has increased in all areas : business, academic, scientific, professional, personal and cultural, making this book even more valuable. Relying on Hu's knowledge of his native Chinese culture and Grove's American perspective from his substantial experience in China, Encountering the Chinese will enable Westerners to establish more productive and rewarding relationships with the Chinese, both inside and outside the PRC. As in the first edition, the authors retain fondamental information on basic Chinese values, cultural norms, and mindsets and identify the cross-cultural factors that often lead to failed business negotiations, embarrassing faux pas and misunderstandings when Americans and other Westerners encounter the Chinese. In this second edition they have added a discussion of economic changes and the gradual demise of state-owned companies, and they give special attention to the shift among young urban professionals and businesspeople from traditional collectivist values toward individualism and a market economy mentality. There is also a new section for American women working in China.