Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Understand
Cultural Hints & Tips
Shanghai, like the rest of China, is not much of a meritocracy: those with guanxi (connections) call the shots.
Businesspeople invest endless hours in cultivating and massaging (networking) their guanxi, normally through
business dinners, gift-giving and banqueting.
Another important concept to understand is 'face'. Face can be loosely described as status, ego or self-respect,
and is by no means alien to foreigners. Losing face is about making someone look stupid or forcing them to back
down in front of others, and you should take care to avoid it. In the West, it's important; in China, it's critical. Cir-
cumvent a problem with smiling persistence rather than tackling it straight on, and always give your adversary a
way out. Avoid direct criticisms of people. Venting your rage in public and trying to make someone lose face will
cause the Chinese to dig in their heels and only worsen your situation. Don't lose sight of your own 'face',
however - things should be reciprocal.
Linked to face are displays of respect and politeness. Always offer gifts, cigarettes and food several times, and
expect them to be refused several times before finally being accepted.
High density levels and a high tolerance for crowding mean that personal space is generally not a highly valued
commodity in Shanghai. No-one is ever going to get a lot of personal space in a country of 1.3 billion people, but
the reasons for this are as much cultural as they are physical. Chinese rarely have that sacrosanct 30cm halo of
private space around them that foreigners expect. For example, don't expect someone to walk out of your path if
you are headed on a collision course.
Whether it be an evening meal out or a day at the park, the Chinese have a preference for things being 'renao'
(literally 'hot and noisy') or lively. This helps explain the penchant for cacophonous banquets and top-volume
karaoke sessions. The Shanghai Chinese also put ostentation high on the list. All of this helps explain why
Chinese restaurants are often such large, bright, brash and largely unromantic places.
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