3 Ways to praise others

Look at this dialogue below:

eg.3. (Seeing a beautiful curtain in an American family, the Chinese wants to praise the room settings)

Chinese: “How beautiful the curtain is!”

Hostess: “I made it on my own.”

Chinese: “Really? I can’t believe it!”

The Chinese used surprising tone to show he really liked the curtain, this strategy works well in China, but the hostess felt insulted. We know the Americans are very confident about themselves. Imagine what they may feel when their self-esteems are being hurt. The hostess thought the Chinese didn’t believe she was capable of doing it, and her ability was doubted.

What’ s more, the westerners like to praise the hostess or the host on their first visit, they consider that to be polite and natural, but it may make the Chinese host be offended, suspicious whether he is interested in the woman.

In most cases, the westerners prefer to be praised over their house, garden, car, wife, decorations and room arrangements etc. esp. something made on their own hands, but often not their children’ s beauty or intelligence which

is considered as leading the kids to be vanity.

4 Ways to express thanks

The ways to express thanks are different in China from western countries. Westerners prefer to convey their thanks directly while Chinese like to minimize themselves to achieve the same goal.

eg.4. When you praise them: “ How beautiful your dress is!

Westerners: “Thanks a lot!”

Chinese: “Really? It” s just an ordinary dress.”

eg.6. Westerner’s appreciations: “thank you. You have helped me a lot today. You must have been very tired.” The other answered “it’s my pleasure to help you. But I’m not tired at all.”

The westerner is trying to maximize the communicator’s help to be polite while the Chinese humbles himself to show gratitude.

Another example is after a good dinner, you should express the thanks to the host. Chinese usually say “I’m so sorry; I have given you so much trouble.” Westerners usually say “thank you so much for a wonderful evening

In a word, when we are communicating with people from different cultures, it is best to consult what is appropriate in their culture and act with regard to that, so as to avoid misunderstandings caused by culture differences. Because of the

limitation of the author, this paper has not collected data in other more specific aspects, e.g. gender difference, taboo words, etc. That may be covered in researches afterwards.

10. .Cross - cultural business gift giving?

CROSS CULTURAL GIFT GIVING ETIQUETTE

Within the interdependent, global and multi-cultural marketplace of the 21st century, cross cultural differences in the approaches to and practices of business people across the world are important to learn.

A lack of cross cultural understanding can lead to misunderstandings which may result in offense. Cross cultural awareness and an understanding of foreign etiquette is important for today's globe trotting business person.

One area of importance in cross cultural awareness is in the different gift giving etiquettes of the world. Understanding gift giving and the etiquette surrounding it can help international business people cement better relationships with foreign colleagues, clients or customers.

Cross cultural gift giving etiquette involves considering the following points:

. Who is receiving the gift? Is it a person or a group? What is the status of the receiver(s)?

. What types of gifts are acceptable or unacceptable?

. What is the protocol associated with gift giving and receiving?

. Should gifts be reciprocated?

In many countries such as in North America or the UK, gift giving is rare in the business world. In fact, it may carry negative connotations as gift giving could be construed as bribery. However, in many other countries, gift giving and its etiquette have a central place in business practices.

In order to highlight some of the different aspects of cross cultural gift giving etiquette a few examples shall be presented.

Gift Giving Etiquette in China

. It is the proper etiquette for gifts to be exchanged for celebrations, as thanks for assistance and even as a sweetener for future favours.

. It is however important not to give gifts in the absence of a good reason or a witness.

. When the Chinese want to buy gifts it is not uncommon for them to ask what you would like.

. It would be wise to demonstrate an appreciation of Chinese culture by asking for items such as ink paintings or tea.

. Business gifts are always reciprocated. Not to do so is bad etiquette.

. When giving gifts do not give cash.

. Do not be too frugal with your choice of gift otherwise you will be seen as an 'iron rooster', i.e. getting a good gift out of you is like getting a feather out of an iron rooster.

. Depending on the item, avoid giving one of something. Chinese philosophy stresses harmony and balance, so give in pairs.

Gift Giving Etiquette in Japan

. Gift-giving is a central part of Japanese business etiquette.

. Bring a range of gifts for your trip so if you are presented with a gift you will be able to reciprocate.

. The emphasis in Japanese business culture is on the act of gift-giving not the gift itself.

. Expensive gifts are common.

. The best time to present a gift is at the end of your visit.

. A gift for an individual should be given in private.

. If you are presenting a gift to a group of people have them all present.

. The correct etiquette is to present/receive gifts with both hands.

. Before accepting a gift it is polite to refuse at least once or twice before accepting.

. Giving four or nine of anything is considered unlucky. Give in pairs if possible.

Gift Giving Etiquette in Saudi Arabia

. Gifts should only be given to the most intimate of friends.

. Gifts should be of the highest quality.

. Never buy gold or silk as a present for men.

. Silver is acceptable.

. Always give/receive gifts with the right hand.

. Saudis enjoy wearing scent - itr. The most popular is oud which can cost as much as £1000 an ounce.

. It is not bad etiquette to open gifts when received.

The above are a few of many examples of cross cultural differences in gift giving etiquette. It is advisable to try and ascertain some facts about the gift giving etiquette of any country you plan to visit on business. By doing so, you maximise the potential of your cross cultural encounter.

13. Ethnorelativism and empathy ethnorelativism means making judgments of other cultures using their cultural rules. Instead of looking at оur culture as just one of many, еасh with valid realities, values, assumptions, we see оur ways of interaction as the absolute truth. In other words, оur ouw group is seen as the standard of what is good, normal or positive. If someone from another cu1ture has the same characteristics as оur group, then they are seen as normal or positive. However, if the other group does not have the same characteristics, then their actionsor ideas are seen as strange, wrong, bad, or inappropreate. One problem with this way of looking at the world is that it generates nаrrоw ­minded ideas. We mау see differences as negative rather than neutral variations of what is real or normal. For example, some cultures believe that people should succeed because of what they do, not whome they know. People from this kind of cultire mау have а negative attitude toward реорlе who believe that connections (whome уоu know) are more important than performance in determining job success. Тhе problem is that this kind of thinking does not help us understand that worldviews, which sharply differ from оur own, are just as valuable and workable as ours within their society.

Ethnocentrism occurs in аll cultures. Two common ways Americans demonstrate ethnocentrism in cross - сulturаl interactions are through the statements "deep down everyone as the same", and "Just bе yourself'. These statements are really reflections of American values of individualism and egalitarianism, but these are not held as important values in аll cultures. In many cu1tures, for example in Japan, China, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, the group or the family is much more important than the individual. In some societies, the idea that there wil1 always bе people how have а right to move status aпd power than уоu is seen as logical and appropriate.

на всякий случай если просят про Ethnocentrism

When we see different as bad or negative, we are being ethnocentric, which can lead to stereotypical labeling of others. Ethnocentrism and stereotyping contribute to misunderstanding in cross - cultural interaction.

Ethnocentrism means making judgments based оn one's own standards and applying those standards to others who mау bе from very different cultures

Ethnocentrism occurs in аll cultures. Two common ways Americans demonstrate ethnocentrism in cross - сulturаl interactions are through the statements "deep down everyone as the same", and "Just bе yourself'. These statements are really reflections of American values of individualism and egalitarianism, but these are not held as important values in аll cultures. In many cu1tures, for example in Japan, China, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, the group or the family is much more important than the individual. In some societies, the idea that there wil1 always bе people how have а right to move status aпd power than уоu is seen as logical and appropriate.

Empathy .When we interact with people from other cultures, we are going to bе confronted with hundreds of specific behaviors, ideas and values which are going to seem unusual, even surprising. There is по way to prepare in advance for аll of the dffferences that you will bе asked to deal with. However, what we can do is to work оn developing а tool that will help us to bе more effective communicators when interacting with реорlе who have cultural pattems that differ ftom оur own. That tool is eтpathy. Having empathy means being able to see the world ftom the other person's perspective. When interacting in an empathetic manner, we begin from an acknowledgement that there are differences ftom each other in ош ways of thinking or acting, but we approach the differences in а cooperative rather than confrontational manner. Then we try to find common goals and context within wich we сап interact. When developing empathy for those who are different ftom us, we lеarn to asslgn causes or reasons to events the way the other culture does, not the way we do.

Empathy is 1) ability to imagine and share another person’s feelings, experiences, etc.; 2) ability to identify oneself mentally with e.g. a work of art that one is looking at and so to understand its meaning (Oxford advanced leaners dic.); 3) capacity for participating in the feelings or ideas of another (Merriam Webster dic.)