Chinese Cultural Knowledge - Report Example

Chinese Cultural Knowledge Introduction Any culture is passed from one generation to another so as to preserve its value; it brings together the components of human existence and extends from inner self to other members within the society and the whole community. Culture is represented through the art and festivals, literature, customs and traditions of said community, the food eaten and the clothing worn. Cultural values shape the people in the society and influence their principles and philosophies thus impacting on their social lives (Ibuh, 2014).In today’s modern world, most people have lost their cultural values and traditions. The Chinese people have managed to maintain most of their cultural values and traditions and still practice them in their country. It is only due to the sustaining of the cultural values that people stay connected with their family and community. This paper will expound on the customs and traditions that the people of China follow, religion, the festivals celebrated, the kind of clothing worn, food eaten, and the most important, the cultural values adhered to, that bind them together as a community. Chinese traditions and culture There are a number of Chinese superstitions that are still applicable even today. The government had to issue an order to the people asking them not to follow the superstitions so strictly. For example, numbers play a big role in their custom and culture and it is commonly perceptive that numbers estimate a person’s fate hence certain numbers are considered lucky, and others unlucky. The number eight is taken as the luckiest number in this culture, because the Chinese for eight sounds like the word for ‘lucky’. Four, conversely is a very unlucky number because it sounds like death. When choosing to live or work in china this should act as a consideration in various aspects when dealing with the Chinese people. They also hold the highest regards for New Year and the whole country shuts down their business, as a foreign business person it is diligent to check the Chinese calendar and schedule meeting in a way to avoid all national holidays Communism in china was supposed to break down the class system that existed and make the people equal. However, the Chinese people still look for status and respect that comes by attaining a certain class level for acceptance. There are two important signs of the Chinese class structure. That is the skin color and men with a long fingernail on their baby fingers. They believe that a tanned and dark skin means you are just a farmer or a field worker. A whiter skin raises you in the Chinese class structure. For men, a long fingernail on the baby finger is a sign that they do not perform hard labor for a living. It indicates that they have money and this raises their position in the class system. In the modern day, men are judged by the quality of their shoes, watch and cell phone while women by the quality of their handbag. Women are not treated equally in all aspects of life, they can hold the same job ranking as men, but their culture still holds that the place of a woman is in the home. A foreigner conducting any form of business should be mindful that business appointment cannot simply be done abruptly upon request. A relationship must be created with someone before you can to do business. This may could include taking them to dinner on a regularly, giving a cut to a middleman too and giving expensive gifts as well. They must consider etiquette and dressing in a smart way as well to avoid embarrassing their boss or hosts. The old wedding traditions and customs of China, the couple’s parents arranged the marriage. The woman knew to obey her husband and abide by the decisions of her parents-in-law. The system however is less rigid than it was previously. The Weddings is catered for by the grooms family and is often large and expensive. The legal age for marriage is stipulated to be twenty for women and twenty-two for men. The process for a traditional Chinese wedding ranged from accepting and stating conditions, an engagement with the parties being the parents, a consensual Marriage led to the betrothal gifts being given and the wedding day decided on then payment of the dowry. In the traditional Chinese culture, the family is the basic unit of the society. After marriage, a woman leaves her parents home and becomes part of her husbands family. The husbands mother runs the household; the oldest son stays home to care for his aging parents as is his duty. Blood relationship between a father and son is considered the most important element of the society .The estate passes to the oldest son but recently, women have been able to inherit property. Extended family are also valued the passing on of the family name deemed of great importance. Where the oldest son in a family has no son he is expected to adopt the son of his next youngest brother. The Chinese people are well versed with their ancestry and a distinguished ancestor brings pride to his descendants for thousands of years. The many descendants of prominent leaders will not dishonor the name of their ancestors no matter what the consequences. Foreigners are supposed to respect the family structures because they are the foundations of the society even in the business structures. The family planning policy or the one-child policy is a population control policy in China introduced in 1979; it has many exceptions and exemptions of ethnic minorities. The policy was so as to alleviate social, economic and environmental problems and is enforced through fines imposed based on the income of the family as well as other factors (Von, 2008). The Chinese toddlers do not wear diapers but are toilet trained as early as one month old by being held gently on the hips over the toilet and whistling softly to imitate the tinkle of urine or making the uh-uh sound for poop. At a certain age the kids wear open-crotch pants. The kids can squat in their open-crotch pants whenever they feel the need by the time they can walk. Chinese baby names are usually selected by the family elder or by a friend. A Chinese can be given many names throughout his life. Boy’s names reflect the parent’s good wishes for while girls are named after beautiful things and feminine attributes. Parents do not name their child after a relative because each child is considered a unique individual (Waxler-Morrison, 2005). They can also be given professional names which they are addressed as a sign of respect. Religion China has multi religions, most people practice traditional religions (Taoism and Confucianism). Confucianism stresses on responsibility to community and obedience and deference to elders. Taoism is more mystical and less pragmatic than Confucianism. It focuses on ideals of balance and order and often uses nature as a metaphor. Taoism rejects rank and class and shuns aggression, competition, and ambition. Buddhism came to the country from India and it also rejects striving and material goods. Its main goal is to achieve nirvana, a divine existence of the confines of mind and body. Buddhism has monks who devote their lives to prayer and meditation. Buddhist and Taoist have temples that are used to hold special prayer gatherings to mark the full moon and the new moon. Individual prayer or meditation is the popular forms of and a spiritual practice that is very popular is physical exercise (Shahar, 2008).  Traditional food and tea ceremony Rice and wheat are the dietary staple food of the country. Lunch is always similar to breakfast and the evening meal is the days largest. Soup must be included in every meal. Traditional China emphasized on an important relationship between food and health. Cooking in the Chinese culture is seen as a reflection of the countrys history of famines caused by natural disasters and war. The Chinese are known to eatanimals’species and parts that many other cultures do not, like the eyeballs, dog and cat meat. The use of Chinese chopsticks is quite common in many Asian countries. It requires some practice to master the craft for the foreigners. The most common beverage in China is tea. Beer is also a common beverage made from the many local breweries. Culture is dominated by drinking and serving tea as an art. Mutual love of tea cements lifelong friendships and thus offered to all. The ritual involving the preparation and serving tea is considered crucial by the general society in China. The style of drinking tea is done using small cups that hold about two small swallows of tea and clay teapots. The Chinese tea ceremony came about as a result of their respect for nature and the need for peace which are tenets of religious ceremonies. The Chinese people are fond of sweet soft drinks, both American brands and local brands. Food customs at different ceremonial occasions, special occasions and large family gatherings often involve big and elaborate meals. Important state gatherings and business occasions use ceremonial meals in their banquets originating from the imperial tradition. These gatherings are usually held in restaurants and may entail ten or more courses. Rice is not usually served because it is considered cheap and too common such an event. It is considered rude not to invite a guest for food in china; this courtesy is extending even to business associates and foreign investors. When dining it is considered polite to accept some of everything of the offered food and this is the time to exchange pleasantries rather business negotiating or challenges (Chen, 2001).  Conclusion China is generally a hospitable place for the foreigners; they are treated with respect and are expected to reciprocate. The Chinese people are generous and peaceful and they will offer to host their guest and dine with them. it is considered important to learn a culture before a going into a foreign country, in china their culture is vast and but based on the values of nature and peace and kindness.it is much more easier and acceptable for a business person to keep time, be respectable and consider ranking and observe all manners of etiquette in the Chinese culture. The world have embraced the Chinese culture especially the martial arts and Buddhist teachings. There is a friendly combination of surprise and amusement when a foreigner can speak another country’s language fluently this is the same reaction even in china. Learning a language and being familiar with another country’s culture puts one at an advantage and the locals are more forthcoming in offering assistance. This is also a good way to meet and interact with the local people and immerse fully into their culture. Chinese people studying, living or working abroad are more accepted due to the multicultural in most English speaking nations. References: Chen, M.-J. (2001). Inside Chinese business: A guide for managers worldwide. Boston, Mass.; [Great Britain: Harvard Business School Press Ibuh, Richard. (2014). the Kayans A Journey through Their Rich Cultural Heritage and Legacy. Partridge Singapore. Shahar, M. (2008).The Shaolin monastery: History, religion, and the Chinese martial arts. Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press. Von,. P. J. C. (2008). Moral issues and concerns about chinas one-child policy: A cosmopolitan perspective. München: Grin. Waxler-Morrison, N. (2005). Cross-cultural caring: A handbook for health professionals. Vancouver: UBC Press. Read More