Etiquette guide to China : know the rules that make the difference / Boye Lafayette De Mente.

Includes index.

Preface -- Note on pronunciation -- Part 1: Middle Kingdom -- 1: Origins of Chinese etiquette -- World according to Lao Tzu -- Wonder that was China! -- Eclipse of the great Chinese civilization -- Communist regime of Mao Zedung -- Opting for the capitalist road! -- 2: New China -- China's little emperors to the fore! -- China's female etiquette guru -- Man who changed the culture of China's youth -- Chinese etiquette in the new global age -- 3: Cultural influences on Chinese etiquette -- Yin-yang principle -- China's dragon culture -- Power of feng shui -- Lucky numbers in China -- How the Chinese view foreigners -- Women in present-day China -- Role of face in Chinese etiquette -- What/how vs why/because -- Law vs reality -- Public rights vs private rights -- Connections vs competence -- Using the back door in China -- Hong Kong: China's old wild west -- Shanghai: China's new wild west -- Part 2: Minding Your Manners In China -- 4: Personal etiquette in China -- Using family names -- Using given names -- Bow or shake hands? -- Hand gestures and body language -- Watching your tongue in China! -- Importance of the apology -- Yes & no in China -- Chinese modesty -- Home visits -- Dating & marriage in China -- Intimate behavior in public -- 5: Chinese meals and celebrations -- World of chopsticks -- Alcohol in China -- Tea-China's national drink -- Honorable guest factor -- Tipping as a symbol of the new China -- Chinese-style banquet -- Sitting in the right place -- Chinese wedding banquets -- Celebrating birthdays in China -- Gift giving in China -- Bamboo gifts -- China's jade culture -- Part 3: Business In China -- 6: Foreigners and the Chinese way of doing business -- Dealing with 56 Chinas! -- China's government as big brother -- Language barrier -- Culture barrier -- Professional education & China's political culture -- Dossier factor in Chinese life -- Women in the business world -- Social etiquette in Chinese business -- To succeed in business you must have face -- Role of guanxi -- Value of introductions -- Information black hole -- Using the back door in business relationships -- Don't rotate managers.

7: Cultural influences vital in Chinese business -- Business as guerilla warfare -- Senior/junior factor -- Secrecy syndrome -- Two-dimensional thinking vs three-dimensional thinking -- Production vs consumption syndrome -- Collective well-being -- People vs profits -- Harmony instead of competition -- Group orientation vs individualism -- China's emphasis on self-sufficiency -- Mutual responsibility vs the Lone Ranger syndrome -- In dragon land there is no "yes" or "no"! -- Intellectual piracy in China -- Part 4: Negotiating In China -- 8: Chinese way of negotiating -- Power of face -- Friendship factor -- Thinking holistically -- Facts & truth vs how things are done -- Time is not money! -- Never forget; never forgive -- Ultimatums are taboo -- Technology high on the list -- 9: Preparing to negotiate in China -- Social status counts -- Senior people & negotiating -- Field the first team -- Learn how to use interpreters -- Bring your own interpreters -- Leave lawyers out -- Pay attention to small details -- Recognize the nature of a Chinese contract -- Beware of using humor -- Dress the part -- 10: What to expect while negotiating -- Business card imperative -- Addressing the senior person -- Sit up straight & stand tall! -- Keep a damper on your enthusiasm -- Make a series of short presentations -- Keep notes at meetings -- Confirm mutual understanding & summarize the meeting -- Ask the right questions -- Striking like a snake -- Withholding information -- Hit-run tactic -- Passive face ploy -- Silence as a negotiating tactic -- What to do when they leave the room? -- Intimidation & anger tactics -- Using competitors as bogeymen -- Compromising the right way -- Authority levels matter -- Using go-betweens -- Keep on negotiating! -- 11: Business entertainment -- Business & official banquets -- Reciprocal banquet hosting -- Alcohol & business -- Answering personal questions -- Gift giving is dangerous -- 12: When you are host in your own country -- Getting personal -- Structuring the meeting room -- Providing refreshments -- Preliminary remarks -- Giving your guests face -- Inviting guests out for the evening -- Paying bills -- Seeing your guests off -- Appendix: Selected vocabulary & useful expressions -- Personal titles -- Family relationships -- Corporate titles -- Government titles -- Everyday expressions -- Useful sentences -- Saying hello and good-bye -- Getting to know each other -- In conservation -- At the restaurant -- At the office -- At the hotel -- On the road -- Technology and communications -- Money -- Helpful vocabulary -- Index.

From the Publisher: Whether you're traveling for business or pleasure, whether your stay will be long or short, your visit to China will be more pleasurable and effective if you understand your host culture and how to work within it. Etiquette Guide to China is a vital guide for visitors to the world's newest financial superpower. Learn the essentials of interacting, such as how to address people you meet, if you should bow or shake hands, and how to behave out on the town, in the boardroom or when attending a wedding. Filled with practical advice on minding your manners in China, Etiquette Guide to China will be the most indispensable item you'll carry on your trip.