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In this Meetup (May 11, 2023 Replay), we debunk common China myths that can lead to poor assumptions and attitudes when doing business in China. We discuss Chinese cultural dichotomies with the West and Art of War tactics that can be employed to create more constructive communication patterns and better outcomes.  Timestamps Self-Introduction Rituals [00:04:08] Gene explains the importance of self-introduction rituals in Chinese culture and how they can open more doors in China than just speaking Chinese. Cultural Dichotomies [00:04:58] Gene discusses the importance of understanding Chinese cultural dichotomies with the West to walk further in China in your own shoes. Paratrooper Manager [00:08:32] Gene explains the concept of a paratrooper manager in China, which metaphorically describes how Chinese people feel about China expats or foreigners assigned to live and work in China. Self-Introduction Rituals [00:09:29] Gene discusses the importance of self-introduction rituals and a scorecard to maximize opportunities to deepen Guanxi. Chinese Cultural Dichotomies [00:13:04] Gene explains the difference between how Westerners and Chinese people view the law and authority differently. Negotiations in China [00:17:52] Gene contrasts how Americans and Chinese people typically approach negotiations differently. Importance of ongoing relationship [00:19:42] Chinese people continue to deepen their relationship with you even after the contract is signed. Why is this important, and how should you adapt? Cultural dichotomy of time [00:23:49] Westerners view time as linear, while Chinese people view it as relative. What other differences exist, and why is it important? Deliberate ambiguity as a weapon [00:28:14] How can this tactic be employed to gain an advantage in negotiations? Importance of cultural dichotomies [00:29:31] Gene discusses the importance of understanding cultural differences and not being judgmental towards Chinese behaviors. Why? Deliberate silence in negotiations [00:31:04] Gene advises Westerners to be deliberately silent during negotiations in China, as it can create an advantage and reduce circular conversations. https://www.genejhsu.com/ #chinabusiness #chineseculture #speakchinese #mandarin #chineseemployees #chinaexpat #chinese #china #negotiations

April 20, 2023 - You might think leading Chinese employees is simple due to their respect for hierarchy, but this presumption needs to consider the hazards of interpreting Face-giving pantomimes literally, often mistakenly. While we appreciate their song and dance performance, we must purposefully orchestrate the final act. As we develop an awareness of the importance of TONE, literally and figuratively, and how to sidestep cultural landmines hidden in our dichotomies, more productive communication patterns will emerge. Still, we can accelerate the creation of a new reality with specific pointers regarding how we interact with local Chinese staff and direct reports. Additionally, we will discuss Chinese work ethics in relation to their values and how it affects their behavior, both seen and unseen, known and unknown and where their priorities lie. 00:24 自我介绍 My Self-Introduction 06:56 What do Chinese employees value most in their jobs? 09:13 合作，我们的合作，合作愉快 Chinese Phrases Warm-up 19:58 Attitude-Tone MS1 Recap 28.53 Delicate Balance of Priorities 32:27 Chinese Work Ethics & Values  https://youtu.be/8e6BnRGeEZQ (Watch on YouTube)  #chinabusiness #chineseculture #speakchinese #mandarin #chineseemployees #chinaexpat #chinese https://www.genejhsu.com/ (RSVP our next Mandarin Savvy Meetup Event)

March 8, 2023 HIGHLIGHT REELS - Knowledge is POWER. Suppose you boil down what Sun Tzu teaches in the Art of War (顺子兵法 Shùnzi bīngfǎ). It comes down to understanding how your competitors think, how they are likely to behave, and exercising tactics based on the increasing likelihood of influencing them to your advantage. Success in the Chinese arena begins with AWARENESS (意识 yìshí) and then developing tactics and counter-tactics (方法 | 技巧 fāngfǎ | jìqiǎo) for their conscious and subconscious tendencies during negotiations. Most of the role playing and interactive portions have been removed to highlight the concepts covered during the first portion of this experience. AGENDA Curiosity Exercise  Chinese Phrases Warm-Up  Guanxi Engine Introduction  Cultural Dichotomy Business Primer  Art of War Negotiation Tactics   For more information about Mandarin Savvy Chinese Language and Cultural Immersion Meetups: W: https://www.genejhsu.com/E: info@emechina.us #chinabusiness #chineseculture #speakchinese #mandarin #chineselanguage #expatchinese #guanxi #workshop #meetups

March 8, 2023 HIGHLIGHT REELS - Chinese Cultural dichotomies with the West categorize value differences likely to cause frustration and conflict and redirect opportunities for cooperation toward unintended disorder, confusion, and chaos. Everything in business involves negotiation in one form or another. Yet, this activity with counterparts in China often leads to promising outcomes that turn sour or a long- drawn-out process that dampens the initial excitement and optimism of cooperating.  Either way, it is a cultural dichotomy we need to reconcile before proceeding. Most of the role playing and interactive portions have been removed to highlight the concepts covered during the first portion of this experience. AGENDA   Curiosity Exercise  Chinese Phrases Warm-Up  Guanxi Engine Introduction  Cultural Dichotomy Business Primer  Art of War Negotiation Tactics   For more information about Mandarin Savvy Chinese Language and Cultural Immersion Meetups: W: https://www.genejhsu.com/E: info@emechina.us #chinabusiness #chineseculture #speakchinese #mandarin #chineselanguage #expatchinese #guanxi #workshop #meetups

March 8, 2023 HIGHLIGHT REELS - Guanxi (关系) is exceptionally difficult to translate because its application in the Chinese cultural context is dynamic, emotional, and nuanced depending on the “relationship,” often misrepresented as its translation.  Grammatically, Guanxi is a noun, but it resolves a situation as an adjective and an explanation like an adverb, as its level is the overarching factor influencing behaviors. Hence, we simplify its understanding with a metaphor, the GUANXI ENGINE, which is the driving force for all interactions in China. Most of the role playing and interactive portions have been removed to highlight the concepts covered during the first portion of this experience. AGENDA Curiosity Exercise  Chinese Phrases Warm-Up  Guanxi Engine Introduction  Cultural Dichotomy Business Primer  Art of War Negotiation Tactics  For more information about Mandarin Savvy Chinese Language and Cultural Immersion Meetups: W: https://www.genejhsu.com/E: info@emechina.us #chinabusiness #chineseculture #speakchinese #mandarin #chineselanguage #expatchinese #guanxi #workshop #meetups

March 8, 2023 - They say language is the gateway into another culture, but what access does speaking Chinese grant you in China? Due to China's Face-giving culture, speaking a little Chinese can open many doors to foreigners. That said, failing to understand how, when, and why to say things can close the windows of opportunity as quickly as your counterparts opened them, symbolic of China as a land of contradictions to many Westerners.  Most of the role playing and interactive portions have been removed to highlight the concepts covered during the first portion of this experience. AGENDA Curiosity Exercise  Chinese Phrases Warm-Up  Guanxi Engine Introduction  Cultural Dichotomy Business Primer  Art of War Negotiation Tactics  For more information about Mandarin Savvy Chinese Language and Cultural Immersion Meetups: W: https://www.genejhsu.com/E: info@emechina.us #chinabusiness #chineseculture #speakchinese #mandarin #chineselanguage #expatchinese #guanxi #workshop #meetups

HIGHLIGHT REEL: Tone Up Your Chinese Pinyin Part 2 February 23, 2023 - Part 2 of Mandarin Savvy Meetup: Tone Up Your Chinese Pinyin Chinese language and cultural immersion experience. In this section, we talk about the important of TONE in both a literal (Pinyin) and figurative sense when communicating across cultural differences with Chinese counterparts. Most of the role playing and interactive portions have been removed to highlight the concepts covered during the first portion of this experience. AGENDA Curiosity Exercise  Chinese Warm-Up Exercise  Self-Introduction Scorecard  Circular Conversations Primer Art of War Mind Games & New Communication Patterns  Chinese Tones (Words+ approach)  Visit my website or email us directly for information on the next event. W: https://www.genejhsu.com/ E: info@emechina.us

February 23, 2023 - Tone Up Your Chinese Pinyin, the first in a series of Mandarin Savvy Meetup Chinese language and cultural immersion experiences. Most of the role playing and interactive portions have been removed to highlight the concepts covered during the first portion of this experience. AGENDA Curiosity Exercise  Chinese Warm-Up Exercise  Self-Introduction Scorecard  Circular Conversations Primer Art of War Mind Games & New Communication Patterns  Chinese Tones (Words+ approach)  Visit my website or email us directly for information on the next event. W: https://www.genejhsu.com/ E: info@emechina.us

Meetup Replay on 01/19/23 Part 2 -- We will role-play the most common interactions in China that are likely to veer off course, illuminate common faux pas, examine the cultural factors at play, and develop greater awareness of how our words are perceived by our Chinese counterparts. The Chinese mind is conditioned to leave itself an off-ramp for fear of blame, punishment, or worse. So it is natural in Chinese spoken vernacular to be vague, allowing an opportunity to pivot toward a better explanation.  A simple counter to this tendency would be to direct your query at the explanation rather than the answer… Level 2: how do more thoughtful words translate into Chinese, and how would typical Chinese minds interpret them? THE CHINESE HONEYMOON PERIODhttps://www.amazon.com/Gene-J.-Hsu/e/B092FYDCN7 AUTHOR PAGEhttps://genejhsu.com/ LINKEDINhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/genejhsu/ CHINA MYTH PODCASThttps://chinamyth.buzzsprout.comhttps://youtube.com/@chinamyth #chinabusiness #chineseculture #mandarinchinese #speakchinese #meetups #events #说中文

Meetup Replay on 01/19/23 -- They say language is the gateway into another culture, but what about China?Translations are not only imperfect, but they reinforce a tendency to think in our own language rather than develop a new mindset for different cultural realities. THE CHINESE HONEYMOON PERIODhttps://www.amazon.com/Gene-J.-Hsu/e/B092FYDCN7 AUTHOR PAGEhttps://genejhsu.com/ LINKEDINhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/genejhsu/ CHINA MYTH PODCASThttps://chinamyth.buzzsprout.comhttps://youtube.com/@chinamyth  #chinabusiness #chineseculture #mandarinchinese #speakchinese #meetups #events #说中文

Words+ Approach in EXACTLY WHAT TO SAY IN CHINA Why can't Chinese people answer a simple 'Yes' or 'No' question, and what are the downsides when you answer directly with 'Yes' or 'No?' In this book, we will role-play the most common interactions in China that are likely to veer off course, illuminate common faux pas, examine the cultural factors at play, and develop a Words+ approach. The Chinese mind is conditioned to leave itself an off-ramp for fear of blame, punishment, or worse. So it is natural in Chinese spoken vernacular to be vague, allowing them to pivot toward a better explanation. A simple counter to this tendency would be direct your query at the explanation rather than the answer.  Chinese Introductions 自我介绍 SCORECARDhttps://youtu.be/ifCw4pYjONA  OCCAC Meetup Grouphttps://www.meetup.com/one-china-orange-county/  After The Chinese Honeymoonhttps://www.genejhsu.com/atchbook Author Pagehttps://www.amazon.com/Gene-J.-Hsu/e/B092FYDCN7

December 15, 2022 - One China Cultural Awareness Center of Orange County Meetup workshop Introducing of the psychological factors at play, both internally and externally, when communicating with Chinese people.  Learning to play and win the China game inside the Chinese arena means developing an understanding of the 'Chinese Mind' and develop greater 'Awareness' of your own emotions and tendencies within the context of your objectives,  Chinese Introductions 自我介绍 SCORECARDhttps://youtu.be/ifCw4pYjONA OCCAC Meetup Grouphttps://www.meetup.com/one-china-orange-county/ After The Chinese Honeymoonhttps://www.genejhsu.com/atchbook Author Pagehttps://www.amazon.com/Gene-J.-Hsu/e/B092FYDCN7

BEST ADVICE FOR CHINA… "In order to be successful in China, you need to learn to manage the different shades of gray because nothing in China is black or white." David Chang | China CEO | Philips China During my first visit to Shanghai in 2004, I had the opportunity to sit 1-on-1 with David Chang, China CEO of Philips China, and I have remember these words ever since… It's meaning for me has evolved, but the basic MINDSET endures…  Watch us breakdown Chapter 3: DIFFERENT SHADES OF GRAY during our Meetup workshop for The Chinese Honeymoon Period. Chinese Introductions 自我介绍 SCORECARDhttps://youtu.be/ifCw4pYjONA OCCAC Meetup Grouphttps://www.meetup.com/one-china-orange-county/ After The Chinese Honeymoonhttps://www.genejhsu.com/atchbook  Author Pagehttps://www.amazon.com/Gene-J.-Hsu/e/B092FYDCN7

Excerpt from After The Chinese Honeymoon - A common scene in China that reminds me how cultural differences can create real inconveniences in relationships where emotions play a more significant role around heightened expectations. https://www.genejhsu.com/blog/justtap

November 17, 2022 - One China Cultural Awareness Center of Orange County Meetup workshop AGENDA I. Introductions (自我介绍 zìwǒ jièshào) - Part 1 (https://youtu.be/GnbkFIWAmBc) II. Deep Immersion  Chinese Cultural Concept Chapter 1: HOW THEY OPERATE (Guanxi 关系) - Part 2 (https://youtu.be/_rDLaG1Nbck) Chapter 2: WHAT THEY CONSIDER (利益 Lìyì) - Part 3 (https://youtu.be/_q3uAAK4ZK0) III. Role Playing  IV. LIVE Q&A  Chinese Introductions 自我介绍 SCORECARDhttps://youtu.be/ifCw4pYjONA OCCAC Meetup Grouphttps://www.meetup.com/one-china-orange-county/ After The Chinese Honeymoonhttps://www.genejhsu.com/atchbook

November 17, 2022 - One China Cultural Awareness Center of Orange County Meetup workshop AGENDA I. Introductions (自我介绍 zìwǒ jièshào) - Part 1 (https://youtu.be/GnbkFIWAmBc) II. Deep Immersion  Chinese Cultural Concept  Chapter 1: HOW THEY OPERATE (Guanxi 关系) - Part 2 (https://youtu.be/_rDLaG1Nbck) Chapter 2: WHAT THEY CONSIDER (利益 Lìyì) - Part 3 III. Role Playing IV. LIVE Q&A  Chinese Introductions 自我介绍 SCORECARDhttps://youtu.be/ifCw4pYjONA OCCAC Meetup Grouphttps://www.meetup.com/one-china-orange-county/ After The Chinese Honeymoonhttps://www.genejhsu.com/atchbook

November 17, 2022 - One China Cultural Awareness Center of Orange County Meetup workshop AGENDA I. Introductions (自我介绍 zìwǒ jièshào) - Part 1 II. Deep Immersion  Chinese Cultural Concept Chapter 1: HOW THEY OPERATE (Guanxi 关系) - Part 2 Chapter 2: WHAT THEY CONSIDER (利益 Lìyì) - Part 3 III. Role Playing IV. LIVE Q&A Watch on YouTube https://youtu.be/GnbkFIWAmBc Chinese Introductions 自我介绍 SCORECARD https://youtu.be/ifCw4pYjONA OCCAC Meetup Group https://www.meetup.com/one-china-orange-county/ After The Chinese Honeymoon https://www.genejhsu.com/atchbook

I fundamentally believe 'Collective' action doesn't foster 'Team' chemistry - What's your opinion?  https://www.genejhsu.com/atchbook (Join the latest discussions for 'After The Chinese Honeymoon') #worldcup #football #soccer #Chineseculture #worldcup2022 #FIFA

Why do we say cultural differences are the main reason we can't get along?  https://www.genejhsu.com/atchbook (Join the latest discussions for 'After The Chinese Honeymoon')  #Chinabusiness #Chineseculture #ArtofWar #Guanxi #ChineseAmerican #USChina

Some layers and nuances must be peeled away and reinterpreted to reach a common understanding with your Chinese staff, colleagues, and partners. 安慰 Ānwèi 发泄 Fāxiè 关系 Guānxì 好处 Hǎochù 被理解 Bèi lǐjiě 焦虑 Jiāolǜ https://www.genejhsu.com/atchbook #chineseculture #chinabusiness #learnchinese #mandarin #guanxi #学中文 #普通话