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Wearing the Wrong Glasses? Chinese try to improve English skills and to adjust to Western 'ways' but still have problems. Why? The biggest reason is they wear the wrong glasses. Business is different in Western multinationals (and in a growing number of the more forward-looking Chinese companies too). Performance matters more than patience, initiative is rewarded more than obedience, discussion, debate and disagreement seem to be more common than harmony. Most Chinese like these changes, even if sometimes frustrated by them. The best way to reduce frustration is to understand why things are like they are, which depends on seeing things as Westerners do. The Chinese way of seeing things, of judging right from wrong or polite/impolite say, are not wrong, just inappropriate for a modern office environment. Chinese need a pair of Western glasses. |
The Working With Westerners/In a Multinational half-day class helps Chinese to:
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How different? Look at the Rules of Communication. Western: ask questions if you don't understand Chinese: don't let people know you don't understand Western: say your honest opinion, even if you disagree Chinese: try not to disagree openly Western: don't make people guess your meaning Chinese: communicate negatives in an indirect way Western: being clear is most important Chinese: being polite is most important Working in a new culture or environment is never easy, but not seeing things the 'new' way makes it far more difficult than it needs to be! Wearing Western glasses doesn't guarantee success for Chinese, but not wearing them brings extra problems and frustrations, guaranteed. For everyone concerned, Chinese and Western coworkers too. |
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