商务礼仪中的文化差异.doc

On the culture difference in business etiquetteAbstract: Business etiquette is habitual style and behavior norm s formed in long- term business activities. It plays an important role in business activities. And due to different cultural backgrounds, these norms lead to differences in business activities. This paper compares and analyzes the differences o f Chinese and western business etiquette from cultural level, especially from the aspects of outlook on time, space, value and language habits etc.Through comparison, this paper comes to the conclusion that in order to carry out effective cultural communication, proper communicative approaches should be adopted to overcome the disadvantages of cultural differences and strengthen business cooperation.Key words: business etiquette, difference, cultural factor1.Differences in the background of Western business etiquetteEastern civilization and Western civilization are emerged and develop in a certain social and historical conditions, no one is inferior to the other. As for the West culture, its history is relatively short, and its people are immigrants from all over the world, and many different nations and races blend together.The root causes of the differences between oriental and western business etiquette is the different cultural environment, making the people of different countries have completely different moral standards and values2.Differences in business etiquette and its cultural factorsOn the level of culture, differences in the business etiquette is mainly reflected in the concept of time, space, values, languages and diet.2.1 Concept of timeTime is the basic form of the objective existence and the sequence of material form. Time has objectivity and sensibility. The perceived the concept of time of human is the reflection and understanding of the objective time. In traditional Chinese culture, Chinese people spend the time with high level of flexibility. To some extent, it can be said that the Chinese people is not strictly adhered to the time. While the Westerners use time very accurate and do everything in strict accordance with schedule. In the United States and Western Europe, business activities should be decided before two weeks, or even longer to arrange for an appointment. Because of the different concept of time, business activities in the East and West are treated differently in terms of time. For example, Western businessmen in meeting like straight to the point and the theme in the talks process, they like to focus on and be quick. As for the Chinese, they pay more attention to business relationships, and establish good relations of cooperation through informal banquet and other commercial activities.2.2Concept of spaceThe space in business etiquette, refers to exchanges, especially the individual and the individual, individual and group, group and group contacts, because their relationship is different and the surrounding environment is different, feel each other should virtually keep a specific distance. American anthropologist Dr. Edward Hall divides interpersonal distance into four regions. First, close distance. This is the minimum distance or almost no in the interpersonal relationships, that is, we often say that intimacy. As for context of this kind of interaction, the closest distance belongs to private situation, only a high degree of close emotional contact between two people is available. When used in social situations, it is not decency. Second, personal distance. This is the appropriate distance on the interpersonal sense, just can shake hands with each other and extend friendly conversation. This is the space with acquaintances. Third, the social distance. This is beyond the intimate or acquaintance relationships, but rather reflect sociability or etiquette on a more formal occasion. Fourth, public distance. This is the distance to keep between a public speaker and the audience of the speech. Interpersonal distance is not fixed, and it has certain flexibility. Spaniards and Arabs favor short distance when talking, while to the Russian people, Italy talks too close. When British talking to Italians, the Italians keeps coming nearer, while the British continued to retreat In terms of personal space, the Chinese, Japanese and most Asians occupy much smaller than the Westerners. This is because the different culture and custom, the Westerners like relaxed atmosphere, individual liberty and individual rights, but the Orientals focus on deep-rooted traditional culture.2.3 Concept of valueThe traditional Chinese values are human-like, more people pay attention to when dealing with brotherhood. In terms of interpersonal relationship, the West are relatively indifferent in the eye of Chinese people. They tend to be impartial. In business activities, when you must choose between dignity and interest. Chinese tend to choose dignity, while American interest. In addition, Western culture emphasis more on youth. Young people are the future and hope. In contrast, the Chinese traditional culture emphasizes respect for the elderly. In Chinese, calling an old people often adds a word old, showing respect to the old.2.4 Linguistic practiceLanguage is part of the culture, and plays an important role in culture. Language reflects the characteristics of a nation, which not only contains the nations historical and cultural background, and bears the national perception on life, lifestyles and ways of thinking. In business activities, because of language differences caused by cultural differences language differences can impose varying degrees of impact on business success or failure. In international business activities, in the face of other peoples praise and congratulations, the Chinese often tell a series where, where, I am flattered. This tends to make the Westerners feel the Chinese do not speak politely since the Westerners are directly rejected. When Westerners receive praise, they always say Thank you without hesitation. this is clearly in the eyes of the Chinese openly accepted the praise of others, is not very modest.2.5 Difference in dietIn China, the importance of diet has risen to a point beyond all physical and spiritual form. It best exemplified in the old Chinese saying that food is the first necessity of human being. China cuisine pay attention to reconcile flavors and color, smell, taste, shape” and neglect nutritional balance. While the westerners like light taste with less oil, fresh raw material, just regarding eating as a means of taking in nutrition, not excessive pursuit of taste. Therefore, in business activities, the Chinese like to arrange round-table feast, with delicious food at the center, and guests toasted each other. All in a form of unity, courtesy and fun atmosphere. However the West banquet concentrates on warm, elegant and etiquette, with conversation between the guests sitting next to achieve the purpose of friendship. Since long ago, dinner etiquette in China follows left respect, that is distinguished guests arrange attendance at the left. While in the West, Ladies first, respect for women is banquet-row seats standard. When having Western food, the owners do not advocate drinking wantonly. But on Chinas table，wine is the essential thing which add to the fun, sometimes to show respect for each other.3. ConclusionCultural differences is an objective reality. Foreign companies doing business in China need to localization, and Chinese enterprises need to enter the global market globalization. Cultural differences on the impact of business activities is obvious. From the current situation, internationally accepted protocol is basically the western etiquette. Th