Table of Contents
Notes on China
The Name of China in Chinese 11
Origin of the Name China 11
The Ethnic Makeup of China 12
The Administrative Makeup of China 12
The Chinese Language 13
Writing Chinese in Roman Letters 14
Pronunciation Guide 15
Preface
The Origin of Cultures 17
Introduction
The Foundation of Chinese Culture 19
The Yin-Yang Principle in Chinese Culture 19
Part I The Role of Language in Preserving & Transmitting Chinese Culture 23
The Role of Hanzi (Hahn-jee) in Chinese Culture 25
The Chinese Language under Assault 28
Part II The Essence of China's Traditional Culture 33
China's Vertical Society 35
The Role of Situational Ethics 38
The Preference for "Soft No's" 40
The Chinese Way of Viewing & Using Laws 42
The Chinese Concept of Time 44
Emotional Intelligence vs. Rational Intelligence 45
The Chinese "What" vs. the Western "Why/Because" 48
The Imperative of Self-Sufficiency 49
The Role of Formality 51
The Food Mystique 52
The Chinese Banquet Tradition 54
The Ongoing Role of Festivals in China 56
China's Three Most Important Festivals 57
The Dragon Boat Race 58
The Mid-Autumn Festival 59
Double Ninth Day 59
The Lantern Festival 59
The Chinese Lunar Calendar 60
Birthdays & Weddings 62
Weddings 63
Myths & Superstitions in China 63
The Feng-Shui Factor 65
China's Martial Arts Legacy 67
China's Theatrical Traditions 69
The Art of Puppetry 71
The Cultural Role of Calligraphy In Chinese Culture 71
Literature in Chinese Culture 73
Contemporary Literature 74
Religion in Today's China 76
Part III Chinese Culture Today 79
Fulfilling 5,000 Years of Suppressed Needs, Wants & Ambitions 81
The "Get Rich isGlorious" Tipping Point 82
"Big Brother" is Alive and Thriving 84
The American Influence on Chinese Culture 85
The Influence of Computers and the Internet on Chinese Culture 86
The Second Cultural Revolution 88
Looking Out for Number One 89
The New-Age Entrepreneurs 90
The New Romans 91
The New-Age Aristocrats 93
The New Women of China 93
The Influence of American Movies & Television on Chinese Culture 95
China's Sexual Revolution 97
The Influence of the English Language on Chinese Culture 98
The Games Kids Play 100
The Influence of Foreign Music 101
The Inroads of Western Entertainment in China 102
The Foreign Fast-Food Culture Invades China 103
The Shopping Scene in Today's China 105
Fashion Boutiques 106
Foreign Supermarkets 106
The Impact of Foreign Sports on Chinese Culture 107
The Olympic Impact 108
The Influence of Foreign Celebrities on Chinese Culture 109
The Automobile Culture In China 110
Weddings & Marriage in China 112
Traditional Medicine in China Today 114
The Marvel of Acupuncture 115
The Ongoing Importance of Traditional Music 117
The Cultural Role of China's Traditional Games 118
The Ubiquitous Mahjong 119
Rehabilitation of China's Ancient Philosophers 121
Education in China 123
The Tourism Welcome Mat Helping to Save China's Traditional Culture 125
The Weather in China 127
Smoking in China 127
China's Gambling Culture 127
The New Look of China's Military Forces 129
Part IV Key Words that Reveal the Chinese Way of Thinking & Behaving 131
Bao (Bah-oh) Trading Social Credits 131
Bi (Bee) Unity the Chinese Way 132
Budan Xin (Buu-dahn Sheen) Chinese Style Sincerity 133
Buhe Luoji De (Buu-hay Loo-oh-jee Duh) Look Out for Fuzzy Logic! 133
Buzhidao (Boo-jee-dah-oh) Avoiding Responsibility! 134
Cheng (Chuung) The Importance of Personal Loyalty 136
Chou (Choh-ou) Criticism is Not Taken Lightly! 136
Daoqian (Dow-chee-inn) The Importance of the Apology 138
De (Duh) The Saving Grace of Humanity 138
Di Sam Zhe (Dee Sahn Jay) The Importance of Third Parties 139
Falu (Fah-luu) Laws in their Chinese Context 141
Fuze Ren Yuan (Foo-tsuh Wren Yuu-enn) Finding the Responsible Person 141
Ganjin (Gahn-jeen) The New "Can Do" Chinese 142
Ge (Guh) Keeping Your Balance During Interesting Times 143
Gongwei (Goong-way-ee) Beware the Flattery Ploy 144
Guan (Goo-een)/Contemplating Things Deeply 145
Guanxi (Gwahn-she) The Role of Personal Connections 146
Guei Mei (Gway-ee May) Staying Out of Trouble 147
Guo Cui (Gwah T'sue-ee) The National Essence of the Chinese 148
Hanyu (Hahn-yuu) China's Secret Code Has Been Cracked 149
Hong (Hung) Looking at Things Holistically 151
Hou Men (Hoe-uu Mane) The Famous Back Door 152
Jiaoliu (Jee-ah-oh-lew) The Role of Mystery in Communicating 152
Jiaoshu Yuren (Jeeow-shuu Yuu-wren) The Chinese Approach to Learning 154
Kaolu Kaolu (Kow-luu Kow-luu) A Discreet Way of Saying No 155
Liangshou Zhunbei (Lee-ing-show Juhn-bay) Two-Handed Preparation 156
Lunlixue (Loon-lee-shway) Policies Instead of Ethics 156
Luoji (Luu-oh-jee) How the Chinese View the World 157
Mei You Ban Fa (May-ee Yoh-ou Bahn Fah) It's Not Going to Happen! 158
Mianzi (Me-inn-jee) Face Comes First 159
Mei You (May-ee Yoe-uu) There isn't Any of That! 160
Qing (Cheeng) Being Clear About Things 160
Qingke - Yanjiu Yanjiu (Cheen-kuh - Yahn-jew Yahn-jew) Wining and Dining Your Way to Success 161
Shangding (shahng-deeng) Keep on Negotiating 162
Shehui Dengji (Shuu-whay Dung-jee) Social Status Still Counts 163
Sheng (Shung) Impressing Your Chinese Contacts 164
Shi (She) The Power of Knowledge 165
Shun (Shune) The "Soft Way" of the Chinese 166
Si; Ji (Suh; Jee) Principles of Success 167
Song (Sung) Knowing How to Avoid Conflict 168
Tai (Tie) When Harmony and Prosperity Prevail 169
Tai Ji Quan (Tie Jee Chuu-inn) The Great Fist of Health 170
Wang Ming (Wahn Meeng) The Chinese Obsession to Achieve 171
Wenhua (Win-whah) The Power of Chinese Culture 172
Wuwang (Wuu-wahng) The Importance of Innocence 173
Xiaoguo (She-ow-gwoh) Paying Attention to Details 173
Xin (Sheen) What You See May Not be What You Get 174
Xu (Shuu) The Art of Calculated Waiting 175
Yi (Eee)/Righteousness the Chinese Way 176
Youyi (Yohh-ee) The Friendship Factor in China 177
Zhenchengde (Jun-chuung-duh) The Measure of Your Sincerity 178
Zhengti Guannian (Junng-tee Gwahn-nee-inn) More About the Chinese Way of Thinking Holistically 179
Zhenshi (June-she) Dealing with Circumstantial Truth 180
Zhongcheng (Johng-chung) Loyalty in Today's China 181
Zhong Fu (Chong Foo) The Pursuit of Insight 182
Zhongguo Tong (Johng-gwoh Tung) The Dangers of Being an Expert 183
Zhongjian-Ren (johng-jee-inn-Wren) The Very Helpful Go-Betweens 184
Zou Pengyou (T'su-oh Pung-yoh-ou) You Must Make Friends in China 185
Selected Bibliography 187
Index 189
