Urgent ... differences between Chinese and American tourism cultures

First, there are differences in traditional habits.

As we all know, Americans attach great importance to freedom and have strong individualism. But one thing impressed me deeply is that Americans attach great importance to laws and regulations and emphasize individual freedom without violating laws and regulations. China people also emphasize freedom, but their awareness of observing rules and disciplines is relatively weak. For example, in public places such as buses, subways and offices in China, we often find many young people smoking, listening to music, talking loudly and even going shirtless. Why? Because he thinks this is his freedom, others have no right to interfere, and he doesn't care much whether these actions will affect others. Young people in the west often do this in public places, but only when they see signs such as "No Smoking" and "Don't talk loudly", or when someone tells them that smoking and talking loudly are forbidden here, most westerners will consciously put out their cigarettes and lower their voices. As for listening to music in public, wearing earplugs has become a habit in order not to affect others.

Understanding the differences between Chinese and American traditional habits can solve many problems. For example, when eating in a restaurant, people in China like to be lively and even have many marathon negotiations. When they arrived at the restaurant, they touched the cup and were very happy, and the business was over. Why? We in China mix work and life, regardless of each other. Eating and drinking with guests is also a job. We had fun, had fun, and achieved our goal.

Americans are different. They separate work from life. Work is work, and life is life. Eating and tasting are enjoyment. When eating, they seldom talk about work, and generally don't take the initiative to talk about business at the dinner table. So Americans eat and drink not for fun, but for enjoyment, and there are not many people, mostly in twos and threes. Take your time, chat in a low voice, drink or not, no one is forced to decide how much to drink, and no one will fill you with wine.

When relatives and friends meet for the first time, both China and the United States have the habit of giving gifts to each other, but the tradition of giving gifts to each other in China and the United States is quite different. Americans choose exquisite small works of art, handkerchiefs, small cards, etc. As a gift, value is not important, as long as it is memorable. Americans generally don't send alcohol and tobacco. China people choose tobacco, famous wine, famous tea and health products as gifts, but the value is too low. When accepting gifts, the traditional habits of China and the United States are obvious: Americans will say "thank you" when receiving each other's gifts, and they like to open boxes on the spot, try them on, praise them, and say that they are suitable and they like them very much. When people in China accept gifts, they like to deliberately refuse and say "no" or "no" as a sign of politeness. When Americans accept gifts, they can't refuse them. Rejection means that they don't like these gifts because they are not good or of low value.

The second is the difference between language and writing.

Chinese civilization has a long history. In the long-term development process, it has formed a unique language. China's language pays attention to seriousness, euphemism, diction, cadence and punctuation. Therefore, most officials speak by speaking. Why? Afraid of being laughed at for saying the wrong thing! Therefore, many officials prefer to talk big, empty talk and rhetoric, rather than saying the wrong thing, trying to make people sound comfortable, for fear that the audience will say that they are not up to standard.

America is different. It developed relatively late. People's Republic of China (PRC) was founded just over 200 years ago. American English is developed on the basis of English.

Compared with Americans, China people lack the ability to express themselves on the spot. Many of us have interviewed or worked as examiners, and I have interviewed many people, and found that many people in China are not very good at live expression. I once hired a subordinate, graduated from undergraduate course, knowledgeable, but not good at expressing, timid. Every time he reports his work in a few words, you ask him the details of his work, but he can't answer. Later, I asked him to prepare a piece of paper and write a brief outline. Every report was about this topic. I don't think it's because we China people are stupid, but because we lack such exercises during our study.

For example, we introduce ourselves in many communication occasions, including age and place of origin. Some people even introduce their address and unmarried, some people introduce the scenery of their hometown, welcome everyone to visit and so on. When Americans introduce themselves, they generally don't introduce these contents. They think this is their own privacy, so you shouldn't ask. This is the difference between language and communication.

Third, it is the difference of interpersonal relationship.

We in China are very good at interpersonal communication and making friends all over the world. Everyone thinks that many friends make the road easier. So whether it's government work, shopping or business, we all hope to find friends. A friend without a friend entrusts a friend to find a friend of a friend. Why? Because China people trust their friends and value human feelings, even advertisements pay more and more attention to word-of-mouth publicity.

It is much more convenient for you to have friends who work in government departments. Entrusting a friend to do things can not only get a warm reception, run less and be faster, but also offer discounts and spend less money. You don't have to follow the normal process and do special things. Many years ago, we returned to our hometown and registered for marriage in the civil affairs department. After waiting for nearly 20 minutes, the staff handled the marriage certificate for friends, and the handling fee was free. They also enthusiastically sent it out. When we applied for the certificate, we looked cold and didn't smile. Like interrogating a prisoner, the handling fee is 100 yuan. Later, a classmate in the administrative service center told me that the cost of getting a marriage certificate at that time was actually 10 yuan. Unfortunately, we were so happy that we were in a hurry to get the wedding dress and forgot to ask for a receipt. There was no way to complain. This is the difference between a friend and a stranger. I believe readers can list many similar examples.

Generally speaking, Americans' interpersonal relationships are relatively simple, human feelings are relatively light, and ordinary people value the law more. Canada is a neighbor of the United States and some traditional cultures are close to the United States. A friend of mine from Shenzhen immigrated to Montreal, Canada a few years ago. My husband's brother is a grassroots official in the city. She told me that there are more Chinese in Canada, but few friends ask her husband and brother to do things. Why? She said that it was not that he refused to help, but that the Canadian prosecutor was very strict and did not dare to help; On the other hand, most people in Canada are descendants of Britain and France, and the proportion of Chinese is less than 4%. Europeans have a strong sense of autonomy and would rather spend more money than trouble their friends. Doing things through the back door will be looked down upon by people, which is a manifestation of their incompetence.

On the contrary, many people in China, from buying home appliances, cars and houses to paying taxes, paying fines and talking about business, will try their best to find friends to coordinate. If you don't find friends, you will suffer. If you have friends, you don't need to be laughed at easily and be laughed at silly. If you are looking for a friend, the friend has the power and ability to refuse help, and the friend cannot refuse directly. This is China's complicated interpersonal relationship. Is it difficult to be friends? It's hard to be good friends, and it's even harder to be good friends. That's why.

In addition, as mentioned above, Americans separate work relationships from personal relationships. They think it is normal to have differences and contradictions at work, but differences at work do not affect their personal relationships, and they will not bring contradictions at work into their lives. For example, American congressmen often argue about some bills, but they all argue face to face and don't sneer behind their backs. As long as they leave the meeting room, they will dilute their differences and will not use their work problems to engage in personal attacks and revenge. Of course, on the other hand, it is difficult for them to influence their work with personal feelings. It is not because we are friends that I support your point of view and give up my position at work. Many years ago, when I was working in an American company, I often encountered similar examples. Once, I saw two American executives banging tables in the conference room. One of them threw the papers all over the floor, and the other one made a dash for the door. But after the meeting, I actually saw them chatting and drinking coffee together. This situation is almost impossible in China. Why? Because we in China are intertwined with our working relationship and personal relationship, good personal relationship makes our working relationship better, and it is easy for us to get along and cooperate with each other. On the contrary, if the working relationship breaks down, it is difficult for personal relationships to remain intact.

Fourth, the differences in social education.

Personally, I think a person's growth should be an effective combination of family education, school education and social education. Mao Zedong did not receive higher education, but this did not prevent him from growing into a national leader; Bill. Gaixian didn't finish college, but he made his software empire. This shows that family education and social education are also important components of education, Mao Zedong and Bill. Gaixian and others have never received higher education, but social experience and social education have made them grow up.

China has attached great importance to school education since ancient times, and great educators and thinkers like Confucius, Laozi and Xunzi have emerged. "Everything is inferior, only reading is high", which shows that people attach importance to scholars. But we don't attach great importance to social education. "Everyone sweeps his own snow, but no one cares about others." . For example, when children who are not sensible deliberately destroy public facilities, spit at will, kill birds, abuse others and other bad behaviors, as long as they are not children of their own children or relatives and friends, most people will choose silence. This is not surprising. Over time, children who leave their parents and teachers will lose discipline and restraint, which indirectly contributes to the development of their bad temper and bad behavior; When he grew up, he brought these bad temper and bad behavior to his work and life. He didn't listen to other people's well-intentioned advice and education and went his own way. He often keeps saying, "Do you care?" "none of your business", "none of your business", "please mind your own business" ... in this way, we don't want to discipline other people's children and can't control them.

In the 1960s and 1970s, people would report saboteurs and undisciplined elements. At that time, people had a strong sense of social management, and there were many people who were "nosy". Now, people think that this is the government's business, and other people's business has nothing to do with themselves. Just educate your children.

Relatively speaking, the United States pays more attention to social education. No matter in parks, streets, stations and docks, passers-by will take the initiative to beat you up and ask you if you need help. When you bring your dog into the park, there will be "nosy" people pointing to the sign to remind you; Your child is swimming by the pond, and passers-by warn him of the danger here; If you smoke on the train, someone will point to a warning sign to remind you. If you continue to smoke, he will invite the conductor ... In short, someone must come to educate you, and his words may not sound good, and help you grow up! Americans believe that this is the duty of citizens. Most people in China choose to be patient when they see this kind of behavior. You can bear it. They don't seem to see that no one wants to educate you. He thinks that it is not good for him to educate you but offend you. Why should we be so tolerant?

Fifth, it is the difference of social etiquette.

Address is one of the important manners in social intercourse.

China's feudal rule lasted for more than 2 100 years, emphasizing the distinction between upper and lower levels, with a strong sense of hierarchy and a more particular appellation. No matter on formal or informal occasions, most people call their bosses by titles, and few people dare to call their bosses and superiors by their first names. Most people who don't know their titles are called Mr. and Ms. As for our parents and principals, we dare not call them by their first names in person, otherwise we will be scolded for being no big or small, uneducated and rude. In China, when looking for an official to handle affairs, we should pay more attention to the address, not only the surname, but also the title. You must never be wrong. If you call the wrong person, he thinks you are not looking for him. If you call him by his first name, it will make him unhappy and think that you don't take him seriously and respect him.

So far, the United States is China's largest export destination, and China is the second largest trading partner of the United States, and business activities between the two sides are becoming more and more frequent. In enterprise management, only by understanding the cultural differences between China and the United States can we better formulate policies and carry out work according to local conditions. Moreover, the more you know each other's culture, the easier it is to accommodate each other's culture, and the easier it is to strengthen mutual exchanges, seek common ground while reserving differences, understand each other and respect each other. "Gentleman is harmonious but different" is Confucius' view.

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