Beijing is such a vibrant city to work in; it is becoming one of the world’s biggest business districts. Working in Beijing is like something I’ve never experience before in England, everything is so different, from their business etiquette, to their mannerism, ideology and their customs. It is truly a unique opportunity to work here, and understand how one of the world’s superpowers operates. So why not book your Beijing Flights with Air China and enjoy what China has to offer from the moment you step on to the plane.
I have worked here for a few weeks and have already found so many cultural differences compared to England.
Business formalities are so different for example whereas in England we greet a business person with a handshake and the important person first. In China you have to address them by an adequate title, and be given permission to call them by their first name, also you greet the oldest person first as a sign of respect. Also the exchanging of business cards must be done wit the upmost respect in China. You present your business card with two hands and the right way, so they can read it when they receive it, (also with two hands.) Also you must be seen to put it somewhere safe, just putting it in your pocket is also a sign of rudeness. Additionally, never deface the business card as it is an insult to the person who gave it to you.
One of the most notable cultural differences I have encountered is the Chinese way of building relationships. ‘Saving face’ is deemed to be extremely popular here. Face is someone’s honour, reputation and respect. An employer will always try and save face of his or her employees by for example never saying ‘no’, the Chinese people would most like say, ‘I’ll think about it.’ Not only this, but there is great emphasise on relationships, whereas in most European countries, your boss can’t be your best friend as well, the Chinese see things differently. For example if you did something wrong, instead of getting told off or fired, or given disciplinary procedures straight away, the Chinese way is letting you know that you were doing wrong and not to do it again. They value relationships much more then business. In the same way, the Chinese are less likely to work with another company unless they are introduced by an intermediary, therefore networking is crucial.
If you are going to work for a company in China, gift giving is a big tradition. You should buy your manager a present, preferable a food basket as the Chinese love to eat. They will never open it in front of you, so don’t be alarmed if they just walk away with it. Gift giving generally in China is a big thing, you should humbly accept a gift and also give gifts in exchange, you shouldn’t be seen as the receiver, it has to be equal.
If you go dinning with the company in China, be aware that a lot of toasts are made throughout the night, the Chinese love to drink, and once you start drinking, it’s rude to say no more. The host will always order the food for you, and if you don’t eat anything, it is a sign of disrespect to the host. Also another thing you should remember for your China Travel is that you shouldn’t leave your plate empty as it means your host has been stingy and hasn’t fed you enough.
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