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sparkli
Newbie
Joined: July 29, 2004
Posts: 3
Location: New York City, NY, USA
Status: Offline
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  Posted:
July 30, 2004 - 11:08 PM |
 
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| Post subject: Cultural Barriers/Differences |
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I am researching on the topic of cultural barriers/differences in Shanghai. I was wondering if anyone has experienced a situation where you misunderstood someone or someone misunderstood you, due to cultural barriers? Whether at work, in public, schools, etc. If you have, could you please explain in detail on this forum or email me at sxiong@parkli.com. Thank you; I really appreciate it. |
Last edited by sparkli on Aug 03, 2004 - 02:26 AM; edited 1 time in total |
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shanghaibarry
Barker
Joined: May 18, 2004
Posts: 188
Location: Shanghai
Status: Offline
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July 31, 2004 - 03:17 AM |
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What kind of research are you working on? Would you mind clarify that? |
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sparkli
Newbie
Joined: July 29, 2004
Posts: 3
Location: New York City, NY, USA
Status: Offline
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July 31, 2004 - 03:42 AM |
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I am doing a cross-cultural research specificially in the Shanghai area, but anywhere else in Asia would be okay, as well. Basicially we want some examples of situations where there are misunderstandings between others and the people of Shanghai due to cultural barriers. For example , say you brought yellow roses to a friend's dinner party (the friend is a native of Shanghai), however white roses are only given at funerals. The friend may think you want them to die or whatever (extreme example). But, you had no idea because to you, yellow roses means friendship.
Do not share anything you do not want us to use; even though millions of people can access whatever you put on this site, thus if you post something here, you must not mind other's reading it. Sorry, I must state the obvious.
Once more, thank you. |
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Magnolia
Board Biatch
Joined: June 01, 2004
Posts: 31071
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Aug 02, 2004 - 12:09 PM |
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Red Ink.
I wrote a friend a note in red ink once and was told that it was inappropriate because red ink is only used when breaking up with someone. Happened to be a male friend (who was taking care of my cat while I was travelling) and he said that I should avoid using red ink in communications because it could be thought that I was trying to signal the end of a friendship (although the note only contained feeding instructions).
Don't know if it is true or not but I have tried not to use red ink in communications any longer. |
_________________
BOYCOTT BENSON SALON |
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shanghai-lia
Lurker
Joined: July 29, 2004
Posts: 20
Status: Offline
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Aug 02, 2004 - 02:51 PM |
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when you attend a wedding in china, you should give the new couple a red paper bag within money.
That's call "hongbao" , it's very lucky for them. when some people died normal we will send a peper wreath.
In some old country, there are some traditional culture. |
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shanghai-lia
Lurker
Joined: July 29, 2004
Posts: 20
Status: Offline
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Aug 02, 2004 - 02:56 PM |
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i am a local shanghainese girl, fluent English and very good command of chinese. I have got a very decent job .when I was doing studies abroad, I made lots of friends and enjoyed different cultures and ideas very much. I hope I can still meet various friends,improve my English and know more about cultures in Shanghai now.If you are interested in Chinese,I can be a very good help.you will find I am very responsible,easy-going and I hope so you are. I am looking forward to your contact if you want. |
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Franky
Seeker
Joined: Aug 06, 2003
Posts: 64
Location: Shanghai, China
Status: Offline
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Aug 02, 2004 - 05:31 PM |
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sparkli, after reading more articles in the forum, you would find many behaviours are viewed totally different by the westerners and the locals. Take the "eye contact" for instance, most westerners would keep eye contact to the people they are talking, but overly staring gaze from a stranger in the Metro would be seen very rude by them. But most of our Chinese fellows seems behaving the other way around. Do you think it is partly becasue of the cultrue difference? |
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Magnolia
Board Biatch
Joined: June 01, 2004
Posts: 31071
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Aug 02, 2004 - 05:40 PM |
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Thought of another one. Kind of have to state it delicately and will also say that it is only based on my personal experience in my office.
It seems that many of the locals in my office make a big deal over the hours they work. Staying late, coming early, etc. This is admirable, but I find that they are not actually doing any work during all those hours. It is almost as thought the time factor is the key motivator and tasks are often made to take longer than necessary in order to prove one's worth to the company. As though the worth is judged by the time physically spent in the office as opposed to the tasks being completed in a prompt fashion.
Yes . . . I know I am online all day while at work . . . but that is because I am done my tasks for the day or I am waiting for a late day shipment (they don't give me enough to do because I am of the thought pattern that you tackle an assignment, give it your full attention and complete it so you are ready to go on to the next one). I do not sit around the office when there is nothing to do (after normal busines hours) just to make it look as though I am working hard. I would rather my success be judged by the quality of the work done than the time it takes (seemingly) to complete it.
It may just be what happens in my office . . . |
_________________
BOYCOTT BENSON SALON |
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Franky
Seeker
Joined: Aug 06, 2003
Posts: 64
Location: Shanghai, China
Status: Offline
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Aug 03, 2004 - 03:19 PM |
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have another funny one here, an oversea client of my company delivered us a container of "green caps" last year which were used as free souvenir in an exhibition. However during the exhibition, our staff met the difficulty to distribute those green caps to the visitors, especially for the males visitor. Compared with our other souvenirs like bags, lighters and ballpens, those green caps seemed more like hot potato. Some male visitors even express extremely uncomforable to accept it only after we emphasize it is a part of the whole souvenir package. It is becasue in Chinese cultrue "man with a green cap" hinted dishonest behaviour of his wife. Or in other words, green caps indriectly indicate the possibility of being impotent for a man who wears it. So if you are a froeign caps manufacturer, make sure you choose the right colour to the Chinese market.
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sparkli
Newbie
Joined: July 29, 2004
Posts: 3
Location: New York City, NY, USA
Status: Offline
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Aug 05, 2004 - 04:47 AM |
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Franky, I think it's because while growing up, our parents, etc. told/taught us different stuff. We grew up in different environments, different values, mindset, etc. So, now we also view it differently than others. Thus, we title that as cultural barriers/differences. But, thank you and everyone else for your example. |
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