How Canadian doing business in China Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

How Canadian doing business in China - Essay Example China is the epitome of Eastern culture. Any business communications between two countries must be done with care. Western culture in terms of the spoken language can be characterized as low-context. This means Westerners speak in a direct, frank, and oftentimes blunt manner as their language is precise and specific. In contrast, the Eastern culture is high-context in that besides the spoken word, there are added elements to communications such as a smile, frown, silence, aphorism, metaphor, anecdote, or even a joke to deliver a message (Norales, 2006). Added to these subtleties are the strictly local concepts of guanxi and of â€Å"face.† This paper discusses the enduring values and utility of guanxi and face when in China. Guanxi – this refers to the personalized network of contacts and influences in Chinese society. Basically, this word combines the two concepts of relationships and connections which are very central in how Chinese society functions. It is an all-encompassing idea that links two people in a mutually beneficial relationship although the relationship may not be always between two equals. In guanxi, there is an implicit general understanding (without specific requests or demands) in which people benefit from the social connections they had developed over the years through a cycle of reciprocity in granting favors. In this context, a Canadian businessman should first try to develop his guanxi by joining a club or a business association to gain contacts before asking any direct favors from the Chinese. Other members of the association can evaluate the Canadians sincerity by interacting with him without business in mind. Business can be discussed later only when trust is gained and people know each other better (Reuvid & Li, 2006). Guanxi in its literal meaning is â€Å"pass to a hierarchy† and a successful businessman gains influence and the necessary