China has become one of the primary destinations to do business. As more and more major western brands have established themselves in the country, it is expected that even smaller businesses will be looking to China to form connections and partnerships. However, there are things that people should know about the country’s business culture so as not to cause offense.
Here is a basic guide to doing business in China.
Dress Code
Always wear conservative suits when going to a business meeting in China. Men would do well to well suits in navy, beige, or brown. Ladies should wear low-heeled or flat shoes and conservative skirt suits.
What to Bring
If you’re handing out printed material, bring only black and white copies as some colors have negative connotations for the Chinese. Also, make sure to bring business cards and expect to exchange them frequently. You could have cards with Chinese translations on them, and for maximum impact, have the cards printed in gold. The color is said to connote prestige and prosperity.
When handing out business cards, make sure that the card is facing the recipient and present it with both hands. When accepting a card, use both hands and take a moment to look at it before keeping it in a card case. By all means, do not make the faux pas of getting the card with one hand and stuffing it into your planner or pocket without looking at it.
Greeting people and entering a conference room
If you’re doing business as a team, remember that the most senior person should enter the meeting or conference room first. Usually, the Chinese team will stay on one side of the conference table, while the other team sits on the other side of the table.
Address someone with their official title and surname, such as “Chairman Wang” or “Director Lee.” The Chinese do shake hands, but wait for them to initiate it.
Conversation
At the start of a business meeting, the Chinese won’t talk about business right away. They’ll often talk about things such as the weather, hobbies, art, and the like. While positive subjects are normally talked about, there are some things that shouldn’t be brought up when speaking to the Chinese. Among the taboo subjects are the Cultural Revolution, Taiwan, Tibet, and Chairman Mao.
Giving Face
The concept of giving face is uniquely Asian. In China, foreigners can give face by accepting dinner or drinking invitations and attending meetings. You lose face if you get angry, raise your voice, of if you become overly emotional in public.
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