Work Culture in China: What You Should Know

Understanding the Chinese work culture is an important step in your quest to start business operations in the country. Of course, as you would correctly predict, the work culture here is almost 100 percent different from that in the West. And let’s face it: Your success or failure has something to do with how well you understand and respect the local business practices and traditions.

"At the end of the day, the Chinese are very pragmatic. If you have something they want, they'll do business with you no matter whether you can hold chopsticks or not… The most important thing is, whoever you're meeting with or whoever you're dealing with, to treat them with respect," Jack “Mr. China” Perkowski, a renowned Wall Street investor.

So, what do you need to know about business culture in China prior to opening a business there? Here are 10 notable tips:

1. Nothing is cast on iron

For as long as a contract is still on the table being discussed, you are allowed to negotiate for whatever you want, for whatever length of time you want. Flexibility in China is highly emphasized. Just make consistently reasonable demands in the negotiations and you can be sure that no one will get bored listening to you even if you take all day.

2. Sharing your personal life in business settings is not a crime

In most offices in the West, sharing your personal interests, hobbies, and problems during business negotiations is highly discouraged. Professional meetings are strictly professional.

In China and most of East Asia, however, chatting with business partners, colleagues, and employees about your personal life isn't weird at all. As a matter of fact, lengthy business relationships will readily morph into social relationships.

3. The importance of etiquette can never be overemphasized

The society here has placed great value in the hierarchy and the etiquette requirements that come with it. Everyone has a social rank that demands respect from those ranked below him/her. In a business meeting, you are expected to sit, behave, and interact with the rest in accordance with the specifications of your rank. For example, if you are the top investor in the company, you are expected to sit on the end directly facing the door, in a way that everyone entering the room can spot you with ease. There are Chinese recruitment agencies who help businesses not only get the best talent, but also during the screening process, they check their work culture and business etiquette.

4. Punctuality over everything!

Chinese people are always punctual for business meetings and they expect the same from you. One more thing: Avoid pressuring them to close a deal because of “limited time,” especially if you arrived late.

5. Being too upfront in discussions can be seen as condescending

If you are used to defending your ideas strongly during debates, sometimes to the point of showing open disagreement with contrary opinions, then you need to work on that. People here expect you to nod or, better yet, shush when you think an idea is outrageous. If you must convince them that your idea is the best, quietly wait for your turn to speak and speak with the utmost decorum. Back and forth debates are considered rude here.

6. If it will embarrass another person, better keep it to yourself

Most people in the West will take positive criticism without taking any offense, sometimes even if it embarrasses them. Not in China!

If you are the boss, you cannot call out an incompetent employee in a manner that will hurt his public image. Getting true opinions across is the hardest thing here.

7. A 10 minute afternoon nap isn’t a crime!

Most Chinese employees work for long hours, so you shouldn’t be too harsh on them for taking a short nap during work hours. As a matter of fact, companies that allow their staff to take frequent afternoon naps have a higher employee retention rate than the rest.

8. The government should be your friend

If you have a strenuous relationship with the government, your business will not survive long enough. You are expected to keep strong, friendly ties with authorities, failure of which they can make your professional and personal life really hard.

9. The Chinese really value their job

Although there are a few who are lazy and undedicated, most Chinese employees are hardworking and self-driven. This art of being punctual and committed to duties is instilled in them right from a young, school-going age.

10. It is important to be clean and neat at all times

For most parts of China, you are expected to dress officially when going for business meetings. If you wear a blouse or a top, it is expected to have a high neckline. If you wear a dress/skirt, then ensure that it is well below the knee. And if you are a man, you aren’t expected to wear brightly colored suits.