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Culture Hacks: Deciphering Differences in American, Chinese, and Japanese Thinking
International business requires a deep level of industry insight but also a keen understanding of the cultural differences that impact how business is done. If you're an American working in China or Japan for the first time, you may not realize the way each culture thinks and reasons is quite different from your own, which can lead to frequent misunderstandings.
You may be unaware, for example, that Americans reason in a linear manner, Chinese in a lateral manner, and Japanese intuitively. Or that Japanese view the world in literal terms, while Americans and Chinese are more balanced between abstract and literal.
You won't read about these differences in a typical business etiquette book, but they are foundational to the way each culture considers and conducts their business.
In Culture Hacks, Richard Conrad draws on his 25 years of experience living and working in Asia to explain the different ways Americans, Chinese, and Japanese think, reason, and interpret the world. He'll equip you to successfully navigate unfamiliar territory by offering best practices and recommendations for interacting with and understanding each other.
You may be unaware, for example, that Americans reason in a linear manner, Chinese in a lateral manner, and Japanese intuitively. Or that Japanese view the world in literal terms, while Americans and Chinese are more balanced between abstract and literal.
You won't read about these differences in a typical business etiquette book, but they are foundational to the way each culture considers and conducts their business.
In Culture Hacks, Richard Conrad draws on his 25 years of experience living and working in Asia to explain the different ways Americans, Chinese, and Japanese think, reason, and interpret the world. He'll equip you to successfully navigate unfamiliar territory by offering best practices and recommendations for interacting with and understanding each other.
446 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 11, 2019
343 people are currently reading
1185 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
April 23, 2020
Culture Hacks: Deciphering Differences in American, Chinese, and Japanese Thinking was particularly interesting to me as someone who is a student of Chinese language and culture and has been teaching English in China for a couple of years now.
When I first started reading, the book felt a little gimmicky and I was not a great fan of some of the generalizations made, but though some generalizations made me feel a little uncomfortable, I do think it is difficult to write a book on such large topics as American, Chinese, and Japanese culture without generalizing to some degree.
I will say this, the book left me with a lot more questions than answers. Richard Conrad's experiences in China and mine differed a little but I did appreciate his analysis of Chinese culture. It left me with a lot of questions and I would really like to discuss this book further with some friends who have lived in China, are from China, and who have backgrounds in economics/policy.
Near the end of the book, I did find some claims that as someone who did an undergrad in International Political Economy, I have seen no consensus on among economists, namely that trade deficits have a positive or negative impact on an economy. The author's view did not mention the lack of consensus among experts on this field...
I think what I like most about this book is that it forced me to question certain parts of it and compare my own experience and knowledge to the authors. Some sections definitely seem plausible to me given my experiences and background but others just seem like convoluted generalizations that are so sweeping that they reach the point of incoherence. Nonetheless, this is a book that I am encouraging friends to read, if only for the purpose of having someone else with whom to better discuss this book.
When I first started reading, the book felt a little gimmicky and I was not a great fan of some of the generalizations made, but though some generalizations made me feel a little uncomfortable, I do think it is difficult to write a book on such large topics as American, Chinese, and Japanese culture without generalizing to some degree.
I will say this, the book left me with a lot more questions than answers. Richard Conrad's experiences in China and mine differed a little but I did appreciate his analysis of Chinese culture. It left me with a lot of questions and I would really like to discuss this book further with some friends who have lived in China, are from China, and who have backgrounds in economics/policy.
Near the end of the book, I did find some claims that as someone who did an undergrad in International Political Economy, I have seen no consensus on among economists, namely that trade deficits have a positive or negative impact on an economy. The author's view did not mention the lack of consensus among experts on this field...
I think what I like most about this book is that it forced me to question certain parts of it and compare my own experience and knowledge to the authors. Some sections definitely seem plausible to me given my experiences and background but others just seem like convoluted generalizations that are so sweeping that they reach the point of incoherence. Nonetheless, this is a book that I am encouraging friends to read, if only for the purpose of having someone else with whom to better discuss this book.
May 5, 2021
I wasn't prepared to like this book as much as I did. There are lots of books out there that painstakingly detail the differences between Eastern vs Western ways of thinking. What I especially enjoyed about the author's approach was his generous use of his own experiences to give real world examples of how these differences play out. For the budding business person, diplomat or cultural anthropoligist, there is much to be learned - and enjoyed - here. The author has a humorous side as well, with one laugh-out-loud moment (**spoiler alert**) involving squatting, toliet paper and personal space violations.
November 28, 2021
Ever wanted to delve into the contrasts in culture of the US, Japan, and China? This author highlights his learning from his more than academic exploration and accumulated experience having lived in both.
I enjoyed the writing and his thoughts on the culture. I was less a fan of the trade deficit topic as it it was out scope in the context of cultural analysis, but a small grievance for an otherwise great personal perspectived ethnography.
I enjoyed the writing and his thoughts on the culture. I was less a fan of the trade deficit topic as it it was out scope in the context of cultural analysis, but a small grievance for an otherwise great personal perspectived ethnography.
June 2, 2021
Impressive insight on the cultural differences between China and Japan, but the author is still truly to understand the world with his limited linear mind full of neoliberalism bias. It is interesting to read this book when some of his bias has been proven wrong by what happened since 2020.
June 12, 2022
My coworker wrote this book - smart cookie. I am now expert on China
August 15, 2023
While there are certainly significant differences between how Americans, Brits, and Germans view the world, they seem small compared to the differences between Japanese, Chinese, and Americans. These three groups are, in many ways, polar opposites.
Richard Conrad, in his book, Culture Hacks: Deciphering Differences in American, Chinese, and Japanese Thinking, takes a theoretical view to explain the fundamental reasons for the differences between the three cultures.
Conrad brings an interesting pedigree to his study. Rather than an academic analysis, Conrad uses his experience living, studying, and working in finance in the three countries to inform his comparisons. He then sprinkles the text with interesting anecdotes to illustrate his points.
His analysis breaks down Japanese, Chinese, and American thinking into 3 axes:
Reasoning process: According to Conrad, Americans tend to think linearly, building one idea upon another in a logical sequence, the core of both scientific method and courtroom proof. But while Americans expect everyone to follow this linear method of logic, Chinese think laterally, connecting from one subject to another subject. Japanese think intuitively, making decisions based more on feeling and emotion.
Mind: Does the mind interpret the world literally or in abstract terms? According to Conrad, Japanese thinking tends to the literal, i.e., if ¥10,000 is paid for a ¥1001 bill, exactly ¥8999 must be paid in change where an American cashier will often offer $9 in change rather than count out $8.99. A meeting scheduled to start at 10 AM, starts at 10:00, not when everyone saunters in from the local Starbucks. Americans and Chinese, in contrast, tend to be far less literal.
Truth: Is something absolutely true or false, good or bad, right or wrong, or are those concepts relative depending on your point of view? Conrad asserts that Americans see truth as absolute (hence our mutual incomprehension of political differences) where in Japan and China, people view truth as malleable based on the circumstances.
This is the heart of Conrad’s analysis, but by itself it’s hard to interpret. Fortunately, once this foundation is laid at the beginning of the book, Conrad puts these terms into practice by describing surprising or puzzling aspects of life in Japan and China and using this framework to explain them.
A few of the topics covered include:
- Zen and mindfulness
- Japanese perfectionism and craftsmanship
- Family vs state in China
- Rule of law vs rule of power in China
- The group vs the individual
- Doing business in the 3 countries
While Conrad is not a sociologist, much of his analysis references classic writing on the topic including Ruth Benedict’s The Chrysanthemum and the Sword, and D.T. Suzuki’s treatises on Zen Buddhism.
There’s a danger, of course, in reducing large and diverse groups of people to a few generalities and 3 poles of thinking. As I read through the book, every assertion Conrad made had me thinking but…but…but, and a few I disagreed with strongly. Every anecdote he told proving his point brought to mind a story from my own experience proving the opposite.
So it would be absurd, of course, to think that these broad generalizations are unequivocally true. The question is whether they’re useful. And the answer, at least for me, is yes. Less so for Japan, where my personal experience gives me a strong intuitive sense of how different Japanese people will respond to a given situation, but more so with China where I have far less knowledge.
By explaining Chinese thinking in general terms, especially regarding the prioritization of family over society as a whole and yielding to the rule of power, I feel I have a better understanding of what I’ve seen when visiting China and working with Chinese partners and customers.
Even in the sections where I disagreed with the author, laying out this framework for understanding the 3 very different cultures at least got me thinking from the day-to-day activities I observe to their underlying reasons.
Overall, I’d recommend this book to anyone who wants to understand the attitudes and thinking of people in these 3 important countries.
Richard Conrad, in his book, Culture Hacks: Deciphering Differences in American, Chinese, and Japanese Thinking, takes a theoretical view to explain the fundamental reasons for the differences between the three cultures.
Conrad brings an interesting pedigree to his study. Rather than an academic analysis, Conrad uses his experience living, studying, and working in finance in the three countries to inform his comparisons. He then sprinkles the text with interesting anecdotes to illustrate his points.
His analysis breaks down Japanese, Chinese, and American thinking into 3 axes:
Reasoning process: According to Conrad, Americans tend to think linearly, building one idea upon another in a logical sequence, the core of both scientific method and courtroom proof. But while Americans expect everyone to follow this linear method of logic, Chinese think laterally, connecting from one subject to another subject. Japanese think intuitively, making decisions based more on feeling and emotion.
Mind: Does the mind interpret the world literally or in abstract terms? According to Conrad, Japanese thinking tends to the literal, i.e., if ¥10,000 is paid for a ¥1001 bill, exactly ¥8999 must be paid in change where an American cashier will often offer $9 in change rather than count out $8.99. A meeting scheduled to start at 10 AM, starts at 10:00, not when everyone saunters in from the local Starbucks. Americans and Chinese, in contrast, tend to be far less literal.
Truth: Is something absolutely true or false, good or bad, right or wrong, or are those concepts relative depending on your point of view? Conrad asserts that Americans see truth as absolute (hence our mutual incomprehension of political differences) where in Japan and China, people view truth as malleable based on the circumstances.
This is the heart of Conrad’s analysis, but by itself it’s hard to interpret. Fortunately, once this foundation is laid at the beginning of the book, Conrad puts these terms into practice by describing surprising or puzzling aspects of life in Japan and China and using this framework to explain them.
A few of the topics covered include:
- Zen and mindfulness
- Japanese perfectionism and craftsmanship
- Family vs state in China
- Rule of law vs rule of power in China
- The group vs the individual
- Doing business in the 3 countries
While Conrad is not a sociologist, much of his analysis references classic writing on the topic including Ruth Benedict’s The Chrysanthemum and the Sword, and D.T. Suzuki’s treatises on Zen Buddhism.
There’s a danger, of course, in reducing large and diverse groups of people to a few generalities and 3 poles of thinking. As I read through the book, every assertion Conrad made had me thinking but…but…but, and a few I disagreed with strongly. Every anecdote he told proving his point brought to mind a story from my own experience proving the opposite.
So it would be absurd, of course, to think that these broad generalizations are unequivocally true. The question is whether they’re useful. And the answer, at least for me, is yes. Less so for Japan, where my personal experience gives me a strong intuitive sense of how different Japanese people will respond to a given situation, but more so with China where I have far less knowledge.
By explaining Chinese thinking in general terms, especially regarding the prioritization of family over society as a whole and yielding to the rule of power, I feel I have a better understanding of what I’ve seen when visiting China and working with Chinese partners and customers.
Even in the sections where I disagreed with the author, laying out this framework for understanding the 3 very different cultures at least got me thinking from the day-to-day activities I observe to their underlying reasons.
Overall, I’d recommend this book to anyone who wants to understand the attitudes and thinking of people in these 3 important countries.
January 14, 2025
“Culture Hacks: Deciphering Differences in American, Chinese, and Japanese Thinking” by Richard Conrad offers an insightful exploration into the distinct cognitive frameworks that shape these three cultures. Drawing from over 25 years of experience in Asia, Conrad examines how Americans tend to think linearly, Chinese laterally, and Japanese intuitively.
The book has been well-received, based on Conrad's ability to distill complex cultural nuances into accessible insights, making it a valuable resource for professionals engaged in international business. It was noted that the book provides “a unique and valuable perspective into the methods of thought that prevail in two nations critical to the United States’ national security.”
Critics, however, point out that while the book offers a solid framework for understanding cultural differences, it may oversimplify the complexities inherent in individual behaviors within these societies. The focus on business interactions might also limit its applicability for readers seeking insights into other aspects of cross-cultural relations.
Overall, “Culture Hacks” serves as a practical guide for those looking to navigate the intricacies of American, Chinese, and Japanese thought processes, particularly in professional settings. Conrad’s firsthand experiences and fluency in both Chinese and Japanese enrich the narrative, providing authenticity to his analyses. While some generalizations are inevitable in comparative cultural studies, the book’s strengths lie in its clear articulation of differences and actionable advice for fostering effective cross-cultural communication.
The book has been well-received, based on Conrad's ability to distill complex cultural nuances into accessible insights, making it a valuable resource for professionals engaged in international business. It was noted that the book provides “a unique and valuable perspective into the methods of thought that prevail in two nations critical to the United States’ national security.”
Critics, however, point out that while the book offers a solid framework for understanding cultural differences, it may oversimplify the complexities inherent in individual behaviors within these societies. The focus on business interactions might also limit its applicability for readers seeking insights into other aspects of cross-cultural relations.
Overall, “Culture Hacks” serves as a practical guide for those looking to navigate the intricacies of American, Chinese, and Japanese thought processes, particularly in professional settings. Conrad’s firsthand experiences and fluency in both Chinese and Japanese enrich the narrative, providing authenticity to his analyses. While some generalizations are inevitable in comparative cultural studies, the book’s strengths lie in its clear articulation of differences and actionable advice for fostering effective cross-cultural communication.
December 17, 2023
This book doesn't present much research but mainly makes propositional statements about these cultures with good personal examples as illustrations. I generally don't like books like this unless they give me a reason to believe what they are saying. However, thinking of the author's descriptions, categories, and frameworks as an interpretative lens for my own experiences proved to have some strong explanatory power. My experiences are mostly with Japanese and American culture, so I am taking his assertions and descriptions of Chinese culture on openly skeptical faith. The author finishes the book by looking at the economic history and condition of each country through the lens of his cultural distinctions. This might not be for everyone, but I really enjoyed it.
I think this is a book I can recommend to Americans who seek to understand Japanese culture better. What sticks with me is the authors delineation between American linear thinking, Japanese intuitive thinking, and Chinese lateral thinking. I have a greater appreciation now for thinking tendencies of people in each of these countries.
I think this is a book I can recommend to Americans who seek to understand Japanese culture better. What sticks with me is the authors delineation between American linear thinking, Japanese intuitive thinking, and Chinese lateral thinking. I have a greater appreciation now for thinking tendencies of people in each of these countries.
December 25, 2020
Required reading if you want to truly understand China and Japan.
Not only well written but entertaining with pithy accounts of real life experience and observations that are of great value...
I’ve lived and worked in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Beijing and Shanghai for over 30 in years engaged in advertising and marketing with over 100 top companies. This is the first book I’ve read that provides a clear and easy to understand framework to understand the different thinking and cultural aspects that make a true meeting of the minds so difficult between Americans, Chinese, and Japanese. It also provides a clear and well thought out accounting of the historical and economic factors that drive the dynamics of our relationships as well as insight into the trajectory our respective futures are headed.
Not only well written but entertaining with pithy accounts of real life experience and observations that are of great value...
I’ve lived and worked in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Beijing and Shanghai for over 30 in years engaged in advertising and marketing with over 100 top companies. This is the first book I’ve read that provides a clear and easy to understand framework to understand the different thinking and cultural aspects that make a true meeting of the minds so difficult between Americans, Chinese, and Japanese. It also provides a clear and well thought out accounting of the historical and economic factors that drive the dynamics of our relationships as well as insight into the trajectory our respective futures are headed.
August 4, 2024
I'm hesitant to give five stars to a book about "Deciphering Differences in American, Chinese, and Japanese Thinking" because such a description invites a lot of potential complaints about the impossibility of painting such multi-faceted cultures with broad strokes. But Conrad never exceeded the scope of his ambition and laid out well reasoned and historically grounded rationales for why Chinese, Japanese and American (business) people often talk past or surprise each other. His anecdotes match my own personal experiences and I often find myself returning to what I learned in this book and ruminating on it. Highly recommended for people like me -- lapsed East Asian Studies degree holders.
July 2, 2020
Regional outlooks
This book is a quick and easy read for those interested in working in Northwestern Asia. The author has experience in China and Japan and puts it to good use highlighting the differences between cultures juxtaposing them in comparison with perceived American culture. The final chapters are the best with a look at how their economies came about and a look at the future.
This book is a quick and easy read for those interested in working in Northwestern Asia. The author has experience in China and Japan and puts it to good use highlighting the differences between cultures juxtaposing them in comparison with perceived American culture. The final chapters are the best with a look at how their economies came about and a look at the future.
Want to read
March 26, 2021Mu
An insightful analysis of an emerging multi polar world that is based upon rational understanding of America , China and Japan ; that end up complementing one another to lead the world into multi polar progress . A more stable one that any may have expected . Based upon a mutual balance ~ add in India and we can have a world that combines the *linear' way of America , the *lateral* way of China and the *intuition' of Japan .
An insightful analysis of an emerging multi polar world that is based upon rational understanding of America , China and Japan ; that end up complementing one another to lead the world into multi polar progress . A more stable one that any may have expected . Based upon a mutual balance ~ add in India and we can have a world that combines the *linear' way of America , the *lateral* way of China and the *intuition' of Japan .
December 31, 2022
an excellent book!
A great read! I have learnt so much about the different ways of thinking between Americans, Chinese and Japanese. Cultural context is very important when working internationally. This book has provided me with much useful information about Chinese and Japanese. I always thought that they way forward was “my way or your way”. This book has opened my way of thinking.
A great read! I have learnt so much about the different ways of thinking between Americans, Chinese and Japanese. Cultural context is very important when working internationally. This book has provided me with much useful information about Chinese and Japanese. I always thought that they way forward was “my way or your way”. This book has opened my way of thinking.
May 4, 2025
I 👏🏼 like 👏🏼 frameworks 👏🏼
You can really tell the author was deep in the weeds of China and Japan… not easy! Culture Hacks does a good job at capturing the essence of each culture and distilling them into literal, lateral, and linear ways of thinking.
The comparison of Chinese and Japanese cuisine stood out to me. It’s kind of true… if you were to order tempura around Japan, it’s pretty much the same anywhere you get it. But if you ordered a duck dish in China, it’ll be quite different if it’s from the north or south. There’s basically 4 different countries in Chinese cuisine.
Need Anthony Bourdain’s commentary on this…
You can really tell the author was deep in the weeds of China and Japan… not easy! Culture Hacks does a good job at capturing the essence of each culture and distilling them into literal, lateral, and linear ways of thinking.
The comparison of Chinese and Japanese cuisine stood out to me. It’s kind of true… if you were to order tempura around Japan, it’s pretty much the same anywhere you get it. But if you ordered a duck dish in China, it’ll be quite different if it’s from the north or south. There’s basically 4 different countries in Chinese cuisine.
Need Anthony Bourdain’s commentary on this…
May 2, 2025
This is a wonderful book to understand the cultural differences between China, Japan and the US. The author uses personal experiences to explain his points which is both helpful and entertaining. The second have of the book draws on the author’s economic knowledge to explain important details of how business is conducted in these countries. The author presents a realistic viewpoints of all three countries while still being optimistic that business can be conducted between them.
January 17, 2021
Great Overview
Thorough overview of necessary concepts needed to understand Japanese and Chinese thinking from a broad perspective. Important concepts and events are mentioned, but not deeply elaborated asked to continue along with the theme of introducing the reader to unfamiliar ways of Chinese and Japanese thinking.
Thorough overview of necessary concepts needed to understand Japanese and Chinese thinking from a broad perspective. Important concepts and events are mentioned, but not deeply elaborated asked to continue along with the theme of introducing the reader to unfamiliar ways of Chinese and Japanese thinking.
March 8, 2021
Interesting read
I enjoyed reading this book; as a consultant who does a fair amount of work in China, I felt the author did an excellent job describing China's culture and why at times, as westerners, we have a hard time adapting to different thinking.
I enjoyed reading this book; as a consultant who does a fair amount of work in China, I felt the author did an excellent job describing China's culture and why at times, as westerners, we have a hard time adapting to different thinking.
September 2, 2021
EXCELLENT analysis of the differences in American, Chinese, and Japanese thinking. Being an English teacher in Japan, I threw out some of the questionable information in the book to them, and they said it was right on. Highly Recommended!
January 19, 2024
Fantastic read! Richard Conrad’s book provided a helpful lens to understand American, Chinese and Japanese cultures. Not only did it open my mind to a new way of thinking, it was a very enjoyable read. The stories were particularly engaging and funny! I highly recommend.
April 7, 2024
Culture Hacks
From the timely title to the personal observations this book was well written, fascinating to read and educational. That’s a lot to ask from one book but this one delivers.
From the timely title to the personal observations this book was well written, fascinating to read and educational. That’s a lot to ask from one book but this one delivers.
July 7, 2025
Insightful Information
Although I found the conclusion overly optimistic, the insight of the author's years of experience in Japan and China, plus knowledge of their languages presented valuable information for the 21st century.
Although I found the conclusion overly optimistic, the insight of the author's years of experience in Japan and China, plus knowledge of their languages presented valuable information for the 21st century.
June 6, 2021
American perspective on Chinese+Japanese thinking. Certainly piques my interest when it comes to East Asian culture but it makes sweeping generalizations.
June 9, 2021
Too many generalizations. Interesting angles but later on I felt the generalization is forced. Read 75% but couldn’t finish the book
June 28, 2021
Fascinating, brilliantly informative analysis of Chinese, Japanese, and American cultures -- compares & contrasts. Perfect for travelers or those with inter-Asian business interests.
September 3, 2021
Interesting insight into differences and similarities between the three cultures. Based on personal observation and set, albeit limited of books that author analysed.
April 18, 2022
Wow, I learned a lot from this book. Great stories and analysis.
December 8, 2022
insightful
Seriously well written and very insightful. I enjoyed what I read and learned more then I thought I would. Extremely useful
Seriously well written and very insightful. I enjoyed what I read and learned more then I thought I would. Extremely useful
May 28, 2023
Though highly subjective and anecdotal, this is an awesome introduction to the topic. Conrad’s personal experiences highlight his points well. Also, it’s 450 pages that fly by.
August 27, 2021
Fabulous.
Very easy to read as the author explains everything anecdotally.
You may not agree with all the observations but I find it useful especially if you are spending time and working in these countries.
Very easy to read as the author explains everything anecdotally.
You may not agree with all the observations but I find it useful especially if you are spending time and working in these countries.
January 29, 2023
Interesting ideas, mixed with seemingly embellished "just-so" anecdotes. I stopped reading halfway through the section on China. It became an exercise in fact-checking the author's broad statements, many of which seemed based on personal anecdotes or idioms.
I sense the general concepts hold up well and can be useful to get a broad sense of the cultural differences. For the specifics, I recommend to get the opinion from a friend who grew up in the culture.
I sense the general concepts hold up well and can be useful to get a broad sense of the cultural differences. For the specifics, I recommend to get the opinion from a friend who grew up in the culture.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews