Day Two: Show utter disregard for punctuality. Now that you've established your unwarranted superiority, it's time to disregard the importance of punctuality. You see, in the Chinese work culture, being punctual is considered a sign of respect for others' time. By casually strolling into work late, you will not only disrespect your Chinese colleagues, but also display a blatant disregard for their cultural values.
Day Three: Indulge in cultural ignorance. A surefire way to alienate your Chinese colleagues is by making uninformed statements about their culture, traditions, or history. Remember, China has a rich and diverse history that dates back thousands of years, so there's plenty of opportunities for you to put your foot in your mouth.
According to an article published by the Harvard Business Review, understanding your colleagues' cultural background is crucial for effective communication in a multicultural team. However, if your goal is to alienate your Chinese colleagues within a week, then cultural ignorance is your best bet!
Day Four: Refuse to learn or speak Mandarin. According to "Find Work Abroad: Find Work Abroad in China, Thailand, South Korea, Hong Kong, Macau and South-east Asia", one of the best ways to integrate and understand the local culture is to learn the language. However, if alienation is what you're aiming for, then by all means, insist on using only English and show no interest in learning Mandarin.
Day Five: Be disrespectful towards seniority. In Chinese culture, respect for seniority is a fundamental value. But hey, why respect such a mundane cultural norm when you can just dismiss it and continue your path to alienation? Embrace the western culture of treating everyone as equals regardless of their age or position in the company.
Day Six: Disregard the importance of Guanxi. Guanxi, or the power of relationships in Chinese society, is a key aspect of Chinese business culture. According to a study published by the Journal of International Business Studies, one's ability to build and maintain guanxi can significantly impact their success in the Chinese business environment. However, since you're trying to alienate your Chinese colleagues, feel free to discard this aspect of their culture.
Day Seven: Criticize Chinese food. The final nail in your alienation coffin should be criticizing Chinese cuisine. Chinese people take great pride in their diverse and rich culinary tradition. By expressing disgust or disapproval of their food, you'll surely win the alienation trophy.
Remember, this guide is designed to give you a sneak peek into what NOT to do when working in China. The aim is to highlight the importance of understanding and respecting the cultural differences between western and Chinese workplaces. By embracing cultural sensitivity, you're not only creating a pleasant working environment but also increasing your chances of professional success in China. But if you're hell-bent on alienating yourself, then by all means, follow this guide to the tee.
Categories:
Chinese, Culture, Cultural, Colleagues, Alienation, Alienate, Disregard, China, Business, Success, Importance, Respect, However, Guanxi, Regardless, Company, Punctuality, Ignorance, History, Diverse, Published, Understanding, Learn, Mandarin, According, Findworkabroad, Means, Seniority, Western, Aspect, Environment, Guide, Working, Workstation, Start, Issuing, Commands, General, Battlefield, Probably, Familiar, Operations, Definitely, Thailand,
Rate and Comment
