The Middle Kingdom is a country with many peculiarities. Be it in everyday life, at work, traveling or in private – it is advisable to pay attention to the small details in order to succeed in China. We would therefore like to introduce you to a few situations that will be mastered with a little preparation and a little intuition. This will make your time in China a positive experience.
Good preparation
Do not make the mistake of going to China unprepared. As globalization has progressed, the Middle Kingdom has a long tradition and history of its own that are difficult to compare to others. You benefit from our first-hand experience, which originated over many years in China.
For example, if you have a business meeting, preparation and knowledge of Chinese practice is important. Even if times have changed, small talk, business card exchange and trust creation are still very important at the beginning. Do not forget that China is now a big economic power and therefore the own appreciation and the self-confidence of the Chinese business partners became stronger.
Intermediaries and Hierarchies
It is equally important to know that hierarchies and the involvement of intermediaries who make contact are fundamental. To find out who a decision maker is and who does not need some practice here. Also patience and the renunciation of pressure on the opposite are much appreciated. Be prepared that decisions may not be taken immediately.
Loss face and presents
This also means that a loss of face is absolutely to be avoided. A well thought-out gift for a business or private appointment, the right restaurant reservation, or the appropriate food can make a difference. Do not leave anything to chance here – we teach and train you comprehensively about these situations in order to save you and your counterparts a loss of face. The topic of food, seating arrangements, and table manners already contain pitfalls that you master well with little preparation and will leave an impression in the eyes of your business partners.
Metropolises and Work
You are ready for China thanks to previous knowledge and our advice? But you do not know where to go yet? Then it is time to find the right place. First and foremost, of course, the major cities such as Shanghai, Beijing, Shenzhen, Guangzhou and Chengdu are known. Most foreigners live in these cities (out of a total of 600,000 foreigners in 20110, for example, 200,000 lived in Shanghai).