In Business, Take Time to Learn Customs in China

When looking to do business with foreign countries, communication can be difficult. When working with worldwide establishments, different policies and mannerisms might need to be considered. What is standard in one country, China being a great example, is often not standard in another. Understanding these changes are crucial to business success. Some customs in China can be more difficult to adapt to than others, but if you keep these few things in mind your professionalism cultural courtesy is more likely to be noticed.

Business Etiquette

First, Chinese organizations often do not like to conduct business with unfamiliar people.  As such, having a mediator is very important for successful business. When attempting to communicate with a Chinese company, work through another company because to do otherwise is rude and can quickly lead to a failed business attempt. So to alleviate this possibility, send data about your own company so that they can review it. If another person contacts you to ask more questions, do not be put off. They are simply doing business on the other company’s behalf, handling work that they feel is rude to ask directly.

Next, put planning into any meeting that you have with a Chinese company. Contact the business at least a month in advance, in writing, and let them know your request to meet. If you have not worked with the company before, do this through an intermediary. When the day of the meeting arrives, do your best to be precisely on time. Being a little early is ok, customs in China consider being late completely unacceptable. This is usually understood as malpractice.

When attending the meeting in a group, customs in China require only one person to speak. Seniority is very important in such meetings, and lower-level people should not be addressed. Do not expect to make great advances in any meeting. Most negotiations require a great deal of time, and it is often unacceptable to make important decisions on the fly.

As such, you should leave room in your offers for negotiation. Bargaining is a part of many customs in China. To avoid winding up in a stalemate or giving up more than your group would like, make your first offer far less than you find necessary. In time, a better deal can be reached.

Customs in China are far different than those of the West. They require patience and understanding to avoid being rude. In interacting with business partners in China, be very careful not to offend. While different, it is not overly difficult to strike understanding with those of other cultures. With time and patience, the cultures in China can become as common to you as your own.