Answer of Quiz 1:
A -- The negotiation team through consensus

QUIZ 2:
Which of these would should you avoid when giving gifts?
A) Anything in or to do with the number 4
B) Clocks
C) Vases
(please leave your answer in the comment box below)

(Answer will be revealed in the following post! ; )
To recognize how much you know, let's begin with a small quiz!
Highly encourage you to answer it to gain a small prize! )
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Informal Business Etiquette in China

Ni hao (你好)!

To know about etiquette of Chinese habits such as gift giving, business card and table manner will make your stay at a Chinese family easy and relaxed. And making you stay in China more convenient and comfortable.

1) Giving Gift
Gift giving is the proper etiquette for gifts to be exchanged for celebrations, as thanks for assistance and even as a sweetener for future favours.

• Don't wrap gifts in black, white or blue; red is favoured.
• Not to give gifts in the absence of a good reason or a witness since gift giving is forbidden by law.
• Don't give cash.
• Depending on the item, avoid giving one of something. Giving it in pairs.

2) Business Card

• Translated into Chinese using Simplified Chinese characters that areprinted in gold ink.
• Ensure the translation into the appropriate Chinese language, i.e. Cantonese or Mandarin.
• Include your title.
• Hold the card in both hands when offering it-Never write on someone's card unless so directed.

3) Table Manner

The following video tells you why you need to know the etiquette of Table Manner in China.


Introduction to Chinese Dining Etiquette -- powered by ExpertVillage.com (Last vist: 13Mar,2009)

Table manners is part of Chinese eating custom. Unlike the West where everyone has their own plate of food, in China the dishes are placed on the table and everybody shares them, which forms the main differenc of eating habits.

• Use the chopsticks to put food in your bowl or plate.
• Don't stick your chopsticks upright in the rice bowl.
• Make sure the spout of the teapot is not facing anyone. The spout should always be directed to where nobody is sitting, usually just outward from the table.
• Don't tap on your bowl with your chopsticks.
  Haha....No one answers the quiz 1 in the last post.
  Next post will talk about the formal etiquette in Japan!! XD

To recognize how much you know, let's begin with a small quiz!

Quiz 1:Who would you expect to make decisions from negotiations and meetings?
A)The negotiation team through consensus
B)Most senior ranking attendee
C)Your direct counterpart
(please leave your answer in the comment box below)
(Answer will be revealed in the following post! )
＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝

Ni hao (你好)

The followings are the essential business etiquette that you need to know when doing business with the Chinese. This episode is focusing on the business etiquette during the formal situations, especially when before meetings and during meetings. With a unique history and background, China have its own unique business culture and etiquette. To avoid any cultural disasters, here are some tips for you on how you can conduct a more successful business in China.



Before meetings

1) Scheduling the meeting -- Must be made in advance

• Try and book meetings between April – June and September – October.
• Avoid all national holidays especially Chinese New Year. The Chinese New Year which varies according to the lunar calendar, is sacrosant. Business is rarely conducted in the week preceding and following it.

2) Preparing -- Sending agenda

• Prior to any meeting always send an agenda, make sure that what is to be discussed is made clear beforehand
• Colours are important throughout Chinese culture. Black and white is saftest in business documents.

Meeting

1) Timing -- Don't be late! -Punctuality is considered a virtue.

• Guests are greeted upon arrival by a representative and escorted to the meeting room; hosts are expected to be in place before guests arrive.

2) Seats arrangement -- To the right

• The principal guest is usually seated to the principal host’s right, on a sofa or chairs opposite the door.

3) Greeting -- Shaking of hands mildly and a slight nod of the head

• Meetings start with the shaking of hands and a slight nod of the head. Be sure not to be overly vigorous when shaking hands as the Chinese will interpret this as aggressive.
• Body posture should always be formal and attentive as this shows you have self-control and are worthy of respect.

4) Exchanging business card (On initial meeting) --
Mention all the necessary information on your card

• Business cards are exchanged on an initial meeting
• Use both hands to receive it and show your interest by taking some time to read the details of the card.

5) During Meeting -- Be formal and avoid political issues

• If this is your first meeting then start with your experiences in China so far. Keep it positive and avoid anything political.
• Never become too informal and avoid humour.
• Dont mention Taiwan and dont criticise the Chinese leadership.

6) Negotiating -- Be patient and show compromise

• The Chineses' primary aim in negotiations is ‘concessions’
• You must be willing to show compromise and ensure their negotiators feel they have gained major concessions.
• Be patient and never show anger or frustration.
• Decisions will take a long time either because there is a lack of urgency.

Chinese Business Etiquette: Meeting Protocol -- powered by ExpertVillage.com (Last visit:9 Mar,2009)

In the following episode, you can further discover the informal business etiquettes in China more thoroughly. See you!

Having a brief understanding about what is business etiquette and our teaching objective, we would like to start teaching the business etiquettes countries by countries. Before we start, since different etiquettes applie to different contexts, we would identify the formal and informal business meetings and respective general etiquettes .

Fomal Meetings
A formal meeting refers to a preplanned meeting with predetermined set of topics that participants would discuss at the aim to achieve or compromise on objectives. It includes conference, trade fairs and communication in workplace. Followings are some guidelines.

Dress code

• Wear suit and keep it pressed, cleaned and with finished seams. Revealing too much cleavage, back, chest, feet, stomach or underwear is no acceptable.
• Wear a conservative tie and a white shirt or blouse are widely acceptable. The cuffs need to be fastened.
• Wear black or brown shoes and polish them until they shine. No scandals.
• Groom hair, moustaches, beards and nasal hair. Female may also shave legs and armpits.
• Trim fingernails
• Wear a pair of earrings with one earring on each ear. No fussy jewelery.
• Make up but not in a ski-slope way ( 3-inches of powder on top of a 6-inch base).
• Apply some cologne and perfume, but not overdo it!

Business card

• Prepare plenty of business cards with accurate personal contact details. Translate the cards into foreign language if needed.
• Exchange them at the beginning or at the end of the meeting
• Read through , comment on and clarifing the information before putting it away.

Behaviors

• Be punctual so do not keep people waiting and abuses their time.
• Switch off the mobile phone
• Ask if there is an established seating pattern before taking the seat.
• Acknowledge any introductions or openings with a brief recognition of the chairman and other participants.
• Allow senior management to contribute first when discussions are under way.
• Note what has been said and return to it later with the chairman's permission but never interrupt anyone - even if you disagree strongly.

Informal Meetings

On the other hand, informal meetings refer to those generally not planned well in advance. The atmosphere is more relaxed and may not necessarily take place in the office or meeting room. It includes business dining, giving gift, gesture, etc

Table manners

Gift giving

Episode: Based on the research we have done, many organisations would do businesses in China, Japan, USA, and India and so we would like focus on evaluating business etiquette in these places.