China Business Travel Always Brings Surprises

China business and corporate travel is getting frequent, China also has become the famous economy countries and save the world from financial economy crisis, still it is very alien to many foreign business travelers. When the west meets east, there are always surprises to each party even with current China modernization. Particularly the business etiquette that are so different as it is practice in China as compare to in western countries. Don't feel surprise if they smoke during meetings, answering phone very laugh during meetings, felt angry when touches political topics, or sharing their strong opinion about other countries or companies. At some extension for the worst case, the author had been chase out from the meeting room during the very first few visits to China back in 1990s.

General China Business Etiquette

1. Respect and "Giving Face" or "Saving Face" is very important in dealing with Chinese businessman, it is their culture that needs people to respect them, especially the senior level executives. This is somehow much related to the practice during the emperors time where the all should only listen to emperor or boss. So try to avoid any conflict of interest, confronting people dignity, or purposely highlight out theirs mistakes in front of many people.

2. First time introduction and exchanging business card is also has a bit much of knowledge since Chinese is a strong believer the first impression. Be polite and respect your customers or partners with exchanging the business card with both hands, take over the card and read out their names and address them with their surname or last name which usually is the first word in the business card. Don't keep the business card into your pocket once received it, put it on the table during the meetings.

3. Give gifts is also encouraging effort but not presenting great value gifts as the Chinese will reject it. They might reject several times, but if you insists couple of times, they will accept it with very thankful to you.

4. Discussion style is also very important as it is very much different since not all big bosses are English literate or very high level proficiency, should keep your pace slow and clear, pause after a question wait for them to fully understand before asking further details. Very important, don't jump in or cut the throat of your customers as this is really very wrong and totally not acceptable by Chinese people as this shows no respect to them, that it is OK to practice in western countries.

5. During meals, Chinese prefer not to discuss too much or any of work and business related topics. Instead they like to discuss how well the food it is, how good the chef is, what is the most recent hot topics in the countries, travels, stock markets, etc.

6. Beware of superstition, Chinese are very sensitive to number 4 as it is also known as die and prefer number 8 as prosperity and some likes number 9 for longevity. so remember to have your business quotation figures ended with number 8, some examples are 128, 168, 138, 28, and multiples of 8s.

The Real Importance of Own Interpreter

If you don't speak or understand Chinese language like Mandarin, Cantonese or any local dialects, it is very important to get your own interpreter. Importance of having a interpreter is not just merely interpreting for you, but most important is after the meeting you need to ask what is not correctly interpreted or what is censored during the interpretation in the meetings as this will help a lot for the success or failure of your deals. At some extent, you can also find out your customers interests or character through the meeting.

Be Brother First Before Business

In order to win over big business deals, ones need to be accepted as brother to their customers to get into the inside circle for similar hobby, hangout places, sports, etc. It is important to have a local who knows your customers very well and tie you into their circle. This is usually what you need to do if you want to do business in Eastern countries. Drinking and singing is unavoidable to do business with Chinese customers other than providing cheap pricing. Either you have to be very good in drinking or very good in singing. Once they are delighted and treated you as their brother, business will automatically a deal.

Hotel Arrangement

If you are working in a big overseas corporate, no worries in getting your 5 stars hotel pre-booked for you. However if you are working in a startup or it is your own business, you should minimize you lodging expenses. To be exact what you need for business travel lodging is a safe and clean hotel, provide broadband connection, easy access to public transportation and places to eat. There are many options for you, look out in internet for business hotels chain group like HomeInns, Hotel168, and etc. The author personal choise is HomeInns since the coverage is very wide, members special discounts and usually quite convenient for getting taxi and access to subway.

Dinning

Always remember do not take any hawker foods in China! Even at some restaurant they do not have food hygiene and environment cleanliness control. If you really do have any choice go to fast food brand that you are familiar back in hometown. Or only dine in some big restaurant in shopping malls, hotels and your local partners bring you to.

Transportation

China taxi is notorious in driving you extra miles to earn extra fares from you, if you know exactly the way to your destination, please make sure you direct the driver to do so. Also beware of fake $50 yen note as it is so common you will get one during night time after you get your change from taxi driver.

Subway is another very convenient transportation as sometimes it is better than taxi during traffic jam, as traffic jam in china big cities is horrible, it can jams up for hours even for a short distance. Prepare more coins for subway as to avoid long queue, since the machines that receive notes are usually not functioning well.

Avoid troubles after work related activities

1. Don't walk alone at night outside the street as it is not safe, especially in Shenzhen.

2. Don't talk or answer stranger chat, free gifts, donations, help since it could be trap.

3. Don't follow the ladies for cheap massage, get it from your hotel or proper massage center.

4. At pub be careful with the girls that try to ask you for treating them a free drinks, usually they are looking for business.

5. Don't mess with local authorities like policeman or Wujin, as they are so serious and will lock you up.

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