Don't just see the sights get to know the people.
For thousands of years, the Chinese believed that they had created a perfect social system, based on Confucian values and tempered by the Mandate of Heaven. Dynasties came and went, but the essence of being Chinese remained essentially unchanged until the twentieth century. Since then, change has taken place in Chinese society at unprecedented speed, as the country first experienced the turmoil of civil war and revolution before emerging on to the world stage as a global superpower.
Culture Smart! China aims to put these changes into an historical context, explain deep-seated cultural attitudes, and guide you through the maze of unfamiliar social situations, in order to help you discover for yourself the pragmatism, genius, warmth, and humanity of this extraordinary people.
Have a more meaningful and successful time abroad through a better understanding of the local culture. Chapters on values, attitudes, customs, and daily life will help you make the most of your visit, while tips on etiquette and communication will help you navigate unfamiliar situations and avoid faux pas.
Arvustused
"Culture Smart! has come to the rescue of hapless travellers," - Sunday Times Travel; "...the perfect introduction to the weird, wonderful and downright odd quirks and customs of various countries," - Global Travel; "...full of fascinating, as well as common sense, tips to help you avoid embarrassing faux pas," - Observer; "...as useful as they are entertaining," - Easy Jet Magazine; "...offer glimpses into the psyche of a faraway world," - New York Times
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7 | (1) |
| Introduction |
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8 | (2) |
| Key Facts |
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10 | (5) |
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15 | (36) |
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15 | (6) |
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Han Chinese and Minority Nationalities |
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21 | (2) |
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23 | (17) |
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Government and the Economy |
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40 | (2) |
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42 | (2) |
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44 | (3) |
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47 | (2) |
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49 | (2) |
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51 | (24) |
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51 | (5) |
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56 | (1) |
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57 | (1) |
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58 | (2) |
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Attitudes Toward the Family |
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60 | (1) |
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Respect for Old Age and Ancestors |
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61 | (1) |
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62 | (2) |
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Guanxi, or Networking, Chinese Style |
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64 | (1) |
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Attitudes Toward Religion |
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65 | (1) |
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Attitudes Toward the State |
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65 | (1) |
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The Middle Kingdom: China's Place in the World |
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66 | (1) |
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67 | (2) |
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69 | (1) |
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Attitudes Toward Overseas Chinese |
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70 | (1) |
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Attitudes Toward Foreigners |
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71 | (2) |
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73 | (2) |
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75 | (16) |
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75 | (4) |
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79 | (6) |
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85 | (3) |
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Traditional Chinese Medicine |
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88 | (3) |
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91 | (14) |
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91 | (2) |
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93 | (1) |
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93 | (2) |
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95 | (2) |
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97 | (1) |
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98 | (2) |
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100 | (1) |
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101 | (4) |
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5 Private and Family Life |
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105 | (12) |
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105 | (3) |
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108 | (1) |
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Social Relations and Occupations |
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109 | (1) |
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110 | (1) |
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111 | (1) |
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112 | (1) |
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Love and Marriage, Or Not |
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113 | (4) |
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117 | (24) |
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118 | (4) |
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122 | (3) |
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125 | (2) |
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127 | (1) |
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127 | (2) |
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129 | (2) |
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131 | (1) |
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132 | (1) |
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133 | (1) |
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134 | (4) |
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138 | (3) |
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7 Travel, Health, and Safety |
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141 | (18) |
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141 | (1) |
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142 | (5) |
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147 | (4) |
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151 | (2) |
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153 | (2) |
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Hygiene and Personal Safety |
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155 | (4) |
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159 | (18) |
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161 | (1) |
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162 | (2) |
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164 | (5) |
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Entertaining: The Banquet |
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169 | (4) |
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173 | (1) |
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174 | (3) |
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177 | (15) |
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Mandarin, Cantonese, and More |
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177 | (4) |
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181 | (1) |
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182 | (1) |
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Pinyin, or How to Romanize Chinese Characters |
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183 | (1) |
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184 | (4) |
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188 | (2) |
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190 | (1) |
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Mail and Express Delivery |
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191 | (1) |
| Conclusion |
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192 | (3) |
| Appendix: Simple Vocabulary |
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195 | (1) |
| Further Reading, Useful Web Sites and Apps |
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196 | (2) |
| Index |
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198 | |
Indre Balcikonyte-Huang was born in Vilnius, Lithuania. She has a Bachelor s degree in Chinese with Economics from the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, and a Master s degree in Modern and Contemporary Chinese Literature from Fudan University in Shanghai. Fluent in Mandarin, Indre has lived in China for more than ten years. Previously responsible for communications at a cross-border consultancy helping Western companies enter the Chinese market, she is now an independent translator, writer, and researcher. She currently lives in central Shanghai with her Shanghainese husband and son.
Kathy Flower has worked in the UK and China as a BBC radio producer, TV presenter, scriptwriter, teacher, and trainer. She spent four years with the British Council in Paris, and was co-presenter of an English-language teaching series on French TV. This led her to Beijing, where she presented China s first major English-language teaching series, Follow Me, on Chinese TV. She became known to hundreds of millions of enthusiastic Chinese viewers as Fay-lau-ah laoshi, or Teacher Flower. Back in London she joined BBC World Service Radio. Kathy has returned to China many times to work and travel. She now teaches international students, including many young Chinese enrolled at British universities, and lives in Hampshire and southern France.
