Encountering the Chinese: A Modern Country, an Ancient Culture

by Hu Wenzhong, Cornelius N. Grove, Zhuang Enping

With thought-provoking glimpses into history and tradition, “Encountering the Chinese” (178 text pages) provides basic background on Chinese cultural norms and values, giving a clear context for contemporary social standards. Readers gain a far better grasp of how to build satisfying personal and professional relationships with the Chinese, both in China and in Western nations.

Chapters include (2) Greetings, Conversations, and Farewells, (4) Appointments, Visiting, and Time Use, (6) Making Friends with the Chinese, (7) Education and Training among the Chinese, and (8) Negotiating and Institutional Decision Making. Especially insightful for some readers is (9) The Concept of “Face” in Chinese-Western Interaction.

A 50-page Part II provides Advice for Westerners Living and Working in the PRC, including matters such as accepting, refusing, & giving invitations; lending and borrowing; gift-giving; suggestions about queuing, and social aspects of traveling.

When the Third Edition of “Encountering the Chinese” was being finalized, the former British Cultural Counselor in Beijing, Adrian Johnson, read the entire draft and made detailed suggestions. Readers can be confident of learning how Chinese norms have been changing. For example, compliments were once declined out of modesty, but now in coastal cities they're often appreciated.

Hu Wenzhong is a professor of intercultural communication at Beijing Foreign Studies University. Cornelius Grove is founder of the global business and leadership coaching consultancy Grovewell LLC. Zhuang Enping is a cross-cultural trainer and a professor at Shanghai University.

Don't miss Cornelius Grove's blog, "Pleasures & Perils of Writing Non-Fiction."

Genres: Nonfiction, Cultural, China

224 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 1991

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This book is simply outdated and full of inaccuracies and stereotypes, not only about China, but also about “the West”.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 The research and information are a little outdated.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.