The Chinese concept of “face” (aka 面子 or miànzi) refers to a cultural understanding of respect, honor and social standing. Actions or words that are disrespectful may cause somebody to “lose face” while gifts, awards and other respect-giving actions may “give face”. It’s a complex concept that is important to grasp if you want to […]
Why Chinese Don’t Smile at Strangers | “In” & “Out” Groups
Have you ever wondered why Chinese don’t smile at strangers? Well it’s a fascinating part of Chinese culture and here’s why they aren’t smiling: If you’re from a culture that encourages smiles when greeting strangers or service people, or saying hello to strangers on the street, you may need to adjust this practice if you […]
China’s One Child Policy | History, Facts, & FAQ
For years, China’s one child policy has limited the population growth in China, but all of that is beginning to change. The Chinese government says that the One Child Policy has restrained China’s mushrooming population (claiming that it has prevented an estimated 400 million births since it’s inception in 1980). But critics say that the […]
Confucius 101: Key to Understanding the Chinese Mind
Confucius has arguably had the greatest influence on the Chinese culture and thinking we know today. For this reason, it’s important to understand who Confucius is and what kind of role he played in China’s history and development. You may remember that the 2008 Olympic opening ceremony kicked off with a quote from Confucius—an adage […]
China’s Population: A Looming Demographic Time Bomb
CHINA POPULATION DATA: Mainland China: 1,330,141,295 (July 2010 est.) Hong Kong: 7,089,705 (July 2010 est.) Macau: 567,957 (July 2010 est.) TOTAL: 1,337,798,957 [Source: CIA World Factbook, Jan 2011 ] ADDITIONAL SOURCES: China population: 1,328,020,000 [ China’s National Bureau of Statistics: China Statistical Yearbook 2009 ] Hong Kong population: 7,061,200, mid-2010 [ Census and Statistics Department […]
Chinese “Guanxi” – The Oil That Keeps China Running
Guanxi is a term that defines the complex concept of relationship in China. By building and maintaining guanxi with personal contacts and business partners, you ensure a positive and stable relationship. Essentially, it is the oil that keeps the China motor running. Perhaps nowhere else on the planet does the phrase, “It’s not what you […]