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looking at Chinese Culture:
It is most curious that China's culture is much more familiar to most of us than the country's history - and now with travel to China now easier than before, it is no longer only to the specialist that names of the dynasties are familiar.
The purpose of this guide to Chinese Culture in context, by adding somes living detail to the bald monosyllabic themes which represent Chinese Culture.
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Economists and editorial writers often paint China;s ascent as one more case of an emerging economy on its way up, preceded by Japan and the Asian "tigers" (South Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, and Hong Kong), and soon to be joined by india. About China China , (People's Republic of China), is situated in eastern Asia, bounded by the Pacific in the east. The third largest country in the world, next to Russia and Canada, it has an area of 9.6 million square kilometers, or one-fifteenth of the world's land mass. With written records dating back 4,000 years, it is recognized as one of the four great ancient civilizations of the world, together with ancient Egypt, Babylon and India. Moreover, it is the only ancient civilization that has continued to this very day. China is very polarized in appearance and culture across areas from the great wall above to highly developed Shanghai below. Chinese Culture According to legend, the primitive tribes that inhabited the middle and upper reaches of the Yellow River were unified into two powerful tribes under the Yellow Emperor and Fiery Emperor, and began their push southward 5,000 years ago. After years of warfare, they conquered the Sanmiao and Jiuli tribes active in south China under the leadership of Chi You. Part of the defeated tribe was incorporated into the tribes under the Yellow and Fiery emperors to become a component part of the Han people, which marked the beginning of the Chinese nation.Chinese history has also given rise to the term "descendants of the Yellow and Fiery emperors" that Chinese often use to refer to themselves. |
The art of calligraphy is widely practiced and revered in the East Asian civilizations that uses Chinese characters. These include China, Japan, Korea, and formerly Vietnam. In addition to being an artform in its own right, calligraphy has also influenced ink and wash painting, which is accomplished using similar tools and techniques. The East Asian tradition of calligraphy originated and developed from China, specifically the ink and brush writing of Chinese characters.
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Greeting Customs Greeting customs in China vary a lot from the west. Shaking hands is rapidly spreading as the default custom of greeting, but often a slight bow or nod is sufficient. However, don’t be upset if the Chinese do not smile when being introduced; this is rooted in Chinese culture, as people tend to keep feeling inside rather than display them openly. Conversational Silences Silence can be a virtue in China, so don’t be dismayed if there are periods of silence in your dinner or business conversations. It is a sign of politeness and of contemplation. During conversations in China, be especially careful about interrupting.
Introductions Guests are usually introduced to the most senior Chinese present; the first few may be introduced in order of rank. After introductions and the exchange of business cards, everyone is seated and Chinese tea is usually offered as refreshment. It’s probable the tea will be served in a lidded teacup with tea leaves floating on the water. Blow lightly on the tea or use the teacup lid to brush the leaves aside. Business Cards Business cards are often exchanged, and if you have any printed up, they should be printed in your own and in the Chinese language. Also, it is more respectful to present your card—or a gift or any other article—using both hands. It is possible to obtain translations of your name on the internet if you choose to print up business cards. It is also regarded as good manners to recognize the business card by reading and showing an appreciation, in fact in many instances not doing is regarded as disrespectful in particular among more senior Chinese. Touching or Body Contact Hugging and kissing when greeting are uncommon. Generally speaking, the Chinese are not a touchy society. This is especially true for visitors. So avoid touching or any prolonged form of body contact. The younger generation is increasingly engaging in public displays of affection, but among older generations, it is still rare. You may note schoolgirls walking hand-in-hand, and young boys with their arms around each other. These are simply gestures of friendship. Avoid being physically demonstrative, especially with older or more senior people. Personal Space Personal space is rather limited in China and this means when conversing sometimes the Chinese will stand much closer than Westerners. This often results in Westerners moving backward, with the Chinese following along in something of an unintended pas de deux. It is important to remember this and not become intimidated or upset by this behavior. In China, posture is also important, so don’t slouch or put your feet on desks or chairs. Also, avoid using your feet to gesture or move articles around. This is regarded as bad manners. How To React To Applause The Chinese are enthusiastic applauders, so don’t be surprised if you are greeted with group clapping, even by small children. When a person is applauded in this fashion it is the custom for that person to return the applause. We include this point because it is often quite surprising to Western visitors to China in particular if they are addressing groups of people. Eye Contact When walking in public places, direct eye contact and staring are not common in the larger cities, especially in those areas accustomed to foreign visitors. However, in smaller communities, visitors may be the subject of much curiosity and therefore you may notice some stares, especially if you are blond or redheaded. Eating Customs If you are eating with any Chinese people then don’t begin eating until the host picks up his or her chopsticks. It is the Chinese way to decline gifts or other offerings two or even three times, even when they want to accept, as a matter of etiquette. Seating arrangements are important, whether at business meetings or while dining. At meetings, the chief guest is always seated at the “head of the room,” facing the door; the host with his or her back to the door. While dining, the primary host sits facing the door and the secondary host sits at the opposite end of the table facing the host. Guests having the highest status sit on either side of the primary host. The remaining guests are seated next to the guest of highest status in order of their importance. Guests of lesser importance are seated near the secondary host. Dining revolves around the use of chopsticks. Just watch your Chinese for tips and techniques. Here are some finer points:
The Chinese will hold bowls of food directly under their lower lip and use the chopsticks to push the food into their mouths. When eating long, slippery noodles it is perfectly acceptable to place one end in your mouth and slurp or suck up the remainder. Refusing food may be considered impolite. If you don’t wish to eat it, just poke it around and move it to the side of your dish. Bones are often placed directly on the table alongside your dish. Toothpicks are commonly available and used during and after a Chinese meal. Just be certain to cover your mouth with the other hand while poking and picking. Offering toasts is common in Chinaand is a relatively simple and uninvolved act: just raise your glass, look at you host and those around him, nod, and drink. You may also say Kan-pei, which means bottoms up,” and some Chinese will actually invert the glass “bottom up” to show they have finished the whole drink. Photographs Before taking any photographs of local people, ask their permission. Smoking If you wish to smoke, ask permission from those around you. Chinese women rarely smoke; however, if you object to others smoking in your presence, this may pose a difficult situation since segregated smoking areas are uncommon in China. If this is extremely important to you, one gambit is to explain to your host that you are allergic to cigarette smoke. Hand Gestures The open hand is used for pointing (not one finger). To beckon someone, the palm is faced downward and the fingers are moved in a scratching motion. Personal Hygiene On public streets, spitting and blowing the nose without the benefit of a handkerchief are fairly common, although the government is waging a campaign to reduce this. It is regarded as ridding the body of a waste and is therefore considered an act of personal hygiene. A Bit of Argy Bargy Don’t worry about a bit of pushing and shoving in stores or when groups board public buses or trains. Apologies are neither offered nor expected. Many Chinese will not recognize the “O.K.” sign; instead, the thumbs-up signal is known and means “Everything is O.K.” When beckoning, the curling inward of the index finger is not used in China. Punctuality Time is very flexible. A person may show up at 4 for a 3 o’clock appointment. In rural areas, an appointment may be a day or later. As a foreigner, though, you will be expected to be punctual. Rules for those Volunteering in China or Having an Extended Stay in China.
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With wooden chopsticks, you may see the Chinese first rub them together before eating. This is merely a way of removing any possible splinters. But, if you are a guest, it is impolite to do this because it suggests you have been given cheap, rough chopsticks. Other related searches |
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