Intercultural Communication

Intercultural Communication China vs. Germany Guest lecturer: Lina Gaigalaite Intercultural Communication

General information China Germany Biggest population in the EU Fits 27 times into China Strongest economy in the EU Democracy Christianity • Biggest population in the world • 4th biggest country in the world • Rising economy • Ruled by a communist party • Buddhism, Daoism, Confucianism Intercultural Communication

Stereotypes China Germany Blond hair, blue eyes, Bavarian dress code Eat sausages, cabbage and drink beer High quality of products No sense of humour, very serious • Small persons, tiny narrow eyes, look all the same • Eat dogs, rice and drink tea • Fake of products • Always smiling Intercultural Communication

Values China Germany Individualistic Respect of family, state and rules Important to keep face • Collectivistic • Respect of family, state and rules • Important to keep face Intercultural Communication

Eye contact China Germany Direct eye contact→ sign of attendance and self – confidence No eye contact shows disinterest and shyness • Indirect eye contact → sign of good manners and gesture of respect • Direct eye contact and staring is uncommon Intercultural Communication

Body language China Germany Nodding means „yes“ Shaking the head means „no“ Point with forefinger Distance is about an arm length Strong handshake Use only one hand when offering something • Nodding is a sign of understanding • Shaking the head means „yes“ • Point with an open hand • Stand closer together than in Germany, but never touch • Take a bowforgreetingsor a soft handshake • Use both hands when offering something Intercultural Communication

Leadership and decision - making China Germany Vertical hierarchy Fast and methodical decision making by the leader → individualistic Detail - oriented • Flat hierarchy • Slow decision making by the group → collectivistic • Process - oriented Intercultural Communication

Meetings and negotiations China Germany Appointments should be made 2 – 3 weeks in advance Punctuality is important Guests wait to be told where to sit Small talk and relationship building are not priorities • Appointments should be made 2 – 3 weeks in advance • Punctuality is important • Guests are generally escorted to their seats and are seated in descending rank order • Meetings should begin with a small talk or an introduction Intercultural Communication

Presentations China Germany Nocolourrestrictions If you get a business card, you don’t have to look at it • Never wear white , blue and black clothes → colours of mourning • Look at the business card if they get one Intercultural Communication

Gift giving China Germany Not always bring a gift They commit to a return Gifts are more formal No colour restrictions Formal are better Cut flowers, bottle of wine • Always bring a gift • They commit to a return • Treatments build a relationship • A gift has to be packed → colours: red, pink or yellow • Kitschy gifts are better • No cut flowers, no watch, no sharp objects Intercultural Communication

Classifications of cultures Intercultural Communication

Edward T. Hall High context vs. low context cultures Dimensions of time (monochronic - polychronic) Relationship of man with nature and space Intercultural Communication

Geert Hofstede Intercultural Communication

Final conclusion • Culturesarevery different • Interculturalcommunicationiscomplicated → Be tolerant, informyourselfandmindtheambiguity ☺ Intercultural Communication

Intercultural Communication