研究性学习-中英美人之间的交际习惯.doc

中美英人之间的交际习惯 一、空间距离 当人们进行交际的时候，交际双方在空间所处位置的距离具有重要的意义，它不仅告诉我们交际双方的关系、心里状态，而且也反映出民族和文化特点。多数讲英语的人在交谈时不喜欢离的太近，总要保持一定的距离。有趣的是英国人与意大利人交谈时，意大利人不停的“进攻”，英国人不断的“撤退”。实际上他们交谈时都只不过是要占据对自己适当的，习惯的实际距离。西方文化注重个个隐私，东方人“私”的概念薄弱。在电梯，巴士或火车上，素不相识人的拥挤在一起，东方人可以容忍身体与身体接触的那种挤，西方人无法容忍，西方人看中宽松的氛围，崇尚个人自由和个人权利，而东方人的传统文化根深蒂固。 二、目光注视 在人际交往过程中，与交往对象保持目光接触是十分必要的。如果从美国文化角度来看，这种目光是不适用于两个男人之间的，这种长时间凝视常常是同性恋的亚文化群使用的非语言代码的一部分。有教养的英国男子认为直接凝视且与之交往的人的眼睛是一种绅士风度，中国人则对紧盯着自己看的目光感到不自在，甚至惶惑不安，原因是“羞耻感文化的影响，“非礼勿视”。 三、身体接触 正像语言和姿势可以传递人们的情感信息一样，身体与他人的接触在交际中也无时无刻不在传递信息。人类学家把文化大致分为两大类：接触文化(touch culture)与非接触文化(nontouch culture)，阿拉伯人，南欧和西欧人、犹太人及拉丁语系的人属于第一类，美国人、北欧人及东方人属于第二类。(一)握手 在美国，男人之间的握手是很用力的，这可能源于印第安人的角力竞赛。中国人一边讲“你好”一边握手，对此没有什么忌讳(二)拥抱与亲吻 相对于东方较为含蓄内敛的文化，欧洲人在表达情感这方面明显更为热情和奔放。接吻在欧美地区是重要的礼仪。中英美打招呼“上哪去？” “吃了没？”“Good morning/afternoon/evening ! ”“How do you do ! ”“Nice to meet you ! ”“How are you doing ”“Good morning/afternoon/evening ! ”“How do you do ! ”“Nice to meet you ! ”“How are you doing ”称呼不可直呼其名，称爷爷奶奶，称呼家人、邻居时称 “大哥”“二姐”“叔叔”“阿姨”可以向爷爷奶奶直呼其名。年轻人称老年人，可在其姓前加Mr/Mrs/Miss 称呼家人，邻居一般直呼其名可以向爷爷奶奶直呼其名。年轻人称老年人，可在其姓前加Mr/Mrs/Miss 称呼家人，邻居一般直呼其名寒暄可以询问年龄，地址，工作单位，收入，婚姻，家庭情况，信仰等话题在打电话时，我们习惯说“Hello who are you please ? ”天气的状况或预测接到电话先报自己的号码或单位天气的状况或预测接到电话先报自己的号码或单位赞扬与祝贺说一些谦虚的话，认为谦虚是种美德人们认为谦虚是虚伪的代名词，应该大胆说出自己的想法人们认为谦虚是虚伪的代名词，应该大胆说出自己的想法道别把客人送到门口甚至送上车，客人对主人说“请留步吧！”主人往往会说“走好啊”“慢走啊”“下次再来啊”等等微微一笑并作个再见的手势或说“Bye bye”“See you later”微微一笑并作个再见的手势或说“Bye bye”“See you later”10 Major Cultural Differences Between China and the United StatesIt is always interesting to study other cultures and it is extremely important to do just that if you are going to have interactions with them. You dont want to insult someone or embarrass yourself and your own culture. These differences do not make either culture better or worse than the other one. It just shows their differences which has been created through centuries of history and development. China can trace their traditions and customs for thousands of years. America is still a small babe of a nation that has had very few traditions of its own but has become such a melting pot of cultures that there is almost no specific American culture that can be said is applied across the board. This makes both cultures unique and worthy of study and respect.1. Social Structure In China the social structure is formal and hierarchical. You know where you fit in the structure and you abide by the rules there. There is no crossing into other areas. In America, it is much more loose and informal. It is not uncommon to see those of various social levels socializing and knowing each other. There are very few lines that socially are not allowed to be crossed. This can cause problems in business relationships if the visiting culture is unaware of it.2. Confrontation/Conflict If you are planning on conducting business in China or expecting an extended stay, it might be useful to know that the direct way that most Americans approach issues is not the way to go in China. Direct conflict or confrontation over issues is highly frowned upon. Doesnt matter that the “truth” needs to be spoken, respect and honor to each person supersedes that. To prove a point and show yourself in the right even over business issues is considered shameful and should be avoided.3. Self The Chinese looks more at the group collective than at individualism. America has become known for its push of individualism which has been a source of conflict with other cultures that look collectively. A person from China is more prone to look at how their acts affect the whole instead of how it affects them personally. They are more willing to give up and sacrifice for the greater good. Americas individualism has been its backbone and the reason for its success as a world power, but when visiting China it needs to be reined in.4. Face/Reputation Reputation of the individual is very important in China. If an action will humiliate someone or ruin a reputation, it is avoided. When shame occurs, the person sacrifices their job or whatever it is that will heal the shame. In America, reputations come and go overnight and in the end usually does not matter. The end result is more of the focus. A person is more likely to overlook a reputation to get the job done.5. Business Relations When doing business in China, be prepared for much socializing. Business becomes secondary as the parties get to know each better. If it delays a contract, that is perfectly acceptable as long as the correct social time is allotted for. In America, business associates are usually more aloof. There might be some social gathering but the business is more important and the socializing will be sacrificed to get the job done if needed. Though there seems to be shift in America regarding this. The recognition of networking is becoming more pronounced.6. Morals Chinese society places high values on the morals of their people. Marriage is not encouraged until the late twenties. In fact, dating is discouraged early in a young adults life and proprieties are expected to be held up. The American culture is much more relaxed and some could even argue that there needs to be more moral emphasize.7. Recognition of the Dead One of the time honored traditions of the Chinese is the recognition of the dead. Once a year, all members of a family visit the gravesites of each ancestor and pay their respects. Honoring ancestors is very important in Chinese culture. This is in direct contrast to most Americans who rarely know where the majority of their ancestors are laid to rest. This might be due to the fact that most Americans are immigrants who either have lost the information on grave locations or the locations are in foreign countries. Chinas culture is much older and the percentage of immigration is far less.8. Humility Humility is a revered virtue in Chinese culture. The success of ones business or personal life is downplayed while in America the successes are lauded. Most Americans in the fast business world consider humility a sign of weakness. This can be an issue that hurts inter-cultural relations. Be very sensitive to comments and actions in the presence of another culture.9. Time Sensitivity Crossing cultures for business can be frustrating when it interferes with getting the job done. Most Americans are very time sensitive when it comes to meetings and deadlines. If the meeting was to commence at 2:00, then all parties are to be present at that time. The Chinese do not view time as an absolute but more as a suggestion. Concern is not expressed for a meeting starting late or ending at a different time. The same can be applied to deadlines. If a report is due on Friday, an American would be waiting for that report to be received before end of business day. The Chinese would not worry if it showed up several days later.10. Respect Being sensitive to another persons needs is very important in Chinese culture. It is expected that you will respect the other person and treat them well. Their needs are met at each encounter. This is a characteristic that unfortunately has fallen on the wayside in most American circles. Communication habits research We are conducting a survey on communication habits in different countries. It is always interesting and extremely important to study other cultures. It helps us remove misunderstanding and have a better communication. Please an