Encountering the Chinese: A Modern Country, An Ancient Culture

by Cornelius N. Grove, Hu Wenzhong

Decode Chinese values and cultural norms while identifying cross-cultural factors that often lead to failed business negotiations with Encountering the Chinese. In this third edition, the advice and recommended skills enable Westerners and the Chinese to establish more effective and rewarding relationships, both inside and outside of the People's Republic of China.

Genres: Nonfiction, Cultural, China

224 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 1, 1991

About the author

Have you ever heard of anyone who’s an “ethnologist”? That’s what I am. Ethnology is a discipline whose practitioners compare the values and ways of life in two or more societies to come up with insights about effective living for the people of those societies, and for others as well. Literally, ethnology means “ethnic group study” (ethnos + ology).

I’m an ethnologist of education. I compare child-rearing and schooling within a variety of societies to gain insights into effective ways of bringing up children to become productive, responsible adults. My principal raw materials are the research findings of anthropologists of childhood and others who explore homes and schools around the world.

Does this all seem too scholarly for you? Please know that I’m determined to write books that are engaging and readily understandable. I actually have friends who read all my draft chapters and point out where I haven’t been 100% clear. And my books are quite short; the longest one (not including appendices, notes, etc.) is only 195 pages. My goal is to make anthropologists’ fascinating and insightful research findings accessible for regular folks.

● THE APTITUDE MYTH . For this book, I relied on the findings of historians. I wanted to know why many Americans came to believe that a child’s grades in school are very largely a reflection of their inborn intelligence (aptitude). 178 text pages. www.theaptitudemyth.info

● THE DRIVE TO LEARN . I was curious why East Asian children are better students than their American peers. I found two reasons. The first is discussed in this book: it’s about how East Asian parents raise their children at home. 116 text pages. www.thedrivetolearn.info.

● A MIRROR FOR AMERICANS . This book discusses the other reason why East Asian children are superior students: it’s about how they are taught in East Asian preschools and primary schools (up to grade 5). 126 text pages. www.amirrorforamericans.info.

● HOW OTHER CHILDREN LEARN . I explore five traditional (pre-modern) societies in which there are few schools or none at all, focusing on how parents enable their offspring to mature into productive, responsible adults. Described is child-raising among African hunter-gatherers, high Andes herders, Navajos of our Southwest, and villagers of the Middle East and of India. 195 text pages. www.howotherchildrenlearn.info.

Reviews

[Emmanuelle Chiocca · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is simply outdated and full of inaccuracies and stereotypes, not only about China, but also about “the West”.

[Tara Guiffredo · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had great advice about many different types of individuals and how they could successfully encounter Chinese culture and the Chinese people. The research and information are a little outdated. The book does mention that this could occur since China is a rapidly developing nation.

The book includes information about relationships, business, language learning, and the basics for someone planning to move overseas. Although the information is a little outdated, many of the topics are still relevant today. The book does not include information prior to 2010, so it doesn't include China's new currency system (WeChat/Alipay), their current leadership, or the new norm around Covid.

[Ruthanne Bowers · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was excellent! I learned so much and I wish I had read it either before or when I moved to China.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was giving a presentation on the differences between the American educational system and the Chinese educational system. I was able to include my experiences living in China, but wanted some other source material. I found this book to be very useful in describing some important cultural differences.

For example, plaigrism is not a concern in China because students are expected to repeat what they are taught in class. In fact, copying large amounts of text from someone else is considered to be good. Most of my Chinese students are surprised when I find they are plaigrizing because they don't think it is a big deal.

I found this book to be structured by topics well. It was written for people that don't have a background in knowing about China. I thought it was well written and supported.

[Jennie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this before going to live in China, and found it very straightforward, sensitive, and extremely helpful. I had no idea how polar-opposite eastern and western cultures could be until I arrived, but having read this book I was prepared for a lot of what I encountered and was more understanding- even if adjusting was still difficult.

[Garrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fantastic book for any person who will be interacting with Chinese nationals, especially in a business environment, or living in China. The author presents a very well-thought out explanation of Chinese culture as well as tips and pointers for Westerners.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

The form is pretty standard. It's a Chinese culture book like many others. That being said, this one is extremely well-written and enlightening. Especially compared to most other Chinese culture books I've read. I highly recommend it.

[Finlay · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good cultural overview of China. I was aware of all the broad themes, but I found a number of subtleties that refined my understanding, and put some previous interactions in a new light. Very useful. Including pinyin without tone marks is annoying, though.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

A huge asset to anyone thinking of living in China. The insights contained in this book will really help me avoid some of the awkwardness incurred by a cultural shift.

[Numa Parrott · Rating 3 out of 5]

I could cut and paste the essay I had to write about it, but that would be boring. If you have to read this, you have my sympathy.

[Gregory Kaplan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good use of scholarly sources and firsthand accounts. Like most "culturalist" descriptions, though, one wonders how accurate most of the generalizations are.

[Emily Sherwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting read and very informative. Some of the info, though, was stereotypical or no longer accurate for all Chinese.