Every country has variety of people. What a problem may be for your friend probably is a different way of communication. Chinese people are not direct and if you come from a culture where things are spoken out/expressed literally, that can create many misunderstandings.
(more) Living in China
Sep 05 • 1719 read
Can you Trust a Chinese?
When I decided to move to China, one of my friends, who was living and working in China for many years, told me many unexpected things about Chinese. One of the things he told me was “you can never trust the Chinese people”.
That seems very skeptical, and it can’t be exact. In the US, I have many Chinese friends and have worked broadly with Chinese people as well as had to work with a Chinese boss. I felt I have a pretty much understanding of Chinese people. At least the people I met and worked with.
Trust or Understanding
While being in China for about three years, I learned the Chinese culture every day. From learning the Chinese language, communications at work, and daily lifestyle, I observe many new things about Chinese.
Instead of saying “You can never trust Chinese”, I would say that as a Westerner you can’t completely understand the Chinese people within a few years. It may take more time, better language skills, and more absorption to completely understand the Chines standards.
The same is for the returnees, who often live many years out of the country. But they remain Chinese and when they are in China they act as Chinese.
The Chinese way of Thinking, Confucianism, face, and Guanxi
The Chinese way of thinking is deeply influenced by their cultural background. Confucianism and the impression of face and Guanxi play a significant role.
Without getting touch with Chinese cultural impacts, you will have a tough time understanding the way of Chinese thinking, communication, and behave in everyday life and business setting. It may take a long time but you will eventually learn everything about Chinese people.
Responses • 23
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heychinese
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2 hr
Different countries will have different perspectives. Every country has good people and bad people at the same time. It's not just a country.
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Mar 03
I trust China because i'v ever live there for 6 month
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Feb 07
any country have a good person and bad person , so the right people doing the right things meet a good persons .
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Aug 05
I don't believe an entire nation can be inherently untrustworthy. As is the case with many countries, they are represented by a government. One that certainly does not reflect the views, (or willingness to be welcoming) of ever individual that resides there.
That being said, I also firmly believe that trust must be earned. Whether that be the trust of a group or an individual. Showing a genuine interest and respect for the culture, observing etiquette with sincerity, and approaching with a zero judgement attitude, are all excellent methods. No one should feel entitled to immediate trust, but if that person by nature is trustworthy they will recognize the efforts of another.
"Like recognizes like."
(more)That being said, I also firmly believe that trust must be earned. Whether that be the trust of a group or an individual. Showing a genuine interest and respect for the culture, observing etiquette with sincerity, and approaching with a zero judgement attitude, are all excellent methods. No one should feel entitled to immediate trust, but if that person by nature is trustworthy they will recognize the efforts of another.
"Like recognizes like."
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Aug 04
seeing is believing
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Apr 05
Although Confucian concepts and family relationships have a profound impact on Chinese, many Chinese now try to break these old rules.
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Oct 20
right people meet right things
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Sep 10
What is the exact way of Chinese thinking? I believe whatever you described can apply to any person in any country. It is, in the end, all about the individuals.
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Feb 09
There are always good people and bad people in a city or a country.
Do China always have good people? Do America always have bad people? I don't think so.
We can't control others, there are billions of people in the world, but we can choose to be better people ourselves
Do China always have good people? Do America always have bad people? I don't think so.
We can't control others, there are billions of people in the world, but we can choose to be better people ourselves
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Jan 29
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