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Cultural Interviews

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Cultural Interviews - Chinese

Cultural Interviews with Chinese Executives is a compilation of over 200 brief video clips in which Chinese-speaking executives discuss cultural issues that are of interest to North Americans. Over 50 native Chinese speaking professionals offer their opinion on these questions. The objective of the interviews is three-fold: First, provide practical cultural information. The opinions represent those of real people. At times they are even contradictory, but they are designed to be a catalyst for discussion, not to provide a definitive answer about some stereotype. Second, the interviews provide vocabulary in areas within a professional setting. The interviews present diverse vocabulary within the context of each individual's comments. Third, these materials provide non-native speakers of Chinese with multiple examples of natural speech, illustrating the way that speakers really talk.

Click on any of the topics below and you will be taken to a page with the corresponding videos. Each youtube video is accompanied by a transcript and English translation, and you may also turn on/off the subtitles as desired.

Working w/ North Americans

  1. Initial fact-finding phase
  2. Win-win situations
  3. Reacting to initial resistance
  4. Reformulating strategies
  5. Ratification from superiors
  6. Follow-up after negotiations
  7. Logistical and emotional needs
  8. International vs. corporate style
  9. Stereotype: Pushy American
  10. Stereotype: Short-term focused
  11. Stereotype: Limited cultural knowledge
  12. Stereotype: Always in a hurry
  13. Stereotype: Data versus Relationships
  14. Stereotype: Litigious Nature

Professional Activities

  1. Communication Style
  2. Type of office
  3. Government & politics
  4. Ability vs. connections
  5. Race, color, and gender
  6. Women executives
  7. Loyalty to self vs. Company
  8. Working in groups
  9. Responsibility to society vs. investors
  10. Role of lawyers
  11. Getting side-tracked
  12. Putting things in writing
  13. Mixing business and pleasure

Language Issues

  1. Which language to speak
  2. Buy in any language, sell in theirs
  3. Use of interpreters
  4. Saying, 'I don't know'
  5. Saying, 'Yes' or 'No'
  6. Avoid offending others

Social Situations

  1. Formal and informal language
  2. Greeting others
  3. Gift giving
  4. Non-drinkers and vegetarians
  5. Invitations to a home
  6. Clothing and dress
  7. Names and titles
  8. Academic degrees
  9. Professional vs. personal life
  10. Machismo

Time and Scheduling

  1. Business and food
  2. Agendas
  3. Time is money
  4. Normal daily schedule

Authors: h.brinsko.