Our Chinese friends are celebrating the New Year, which is the Year of the Rooster. Warmest regards, best wishes for success, and all the best! And there are gifts for those of us interested in China—a post by our friend Lily Lue, an intercultural trainer.
Problems and Solutions in German-Chinese Communication
Explained using examples from an intercultural perspective
By Lily Lue
At the management meeting of a German-Chinese joint venture, the CEO would announce the following rule at the beginning of every meeting: Please do not talk among yourselves while someone is speaking.
Both German and Chinese managers attended this meeting, which is why interpreters were used. However, while a German colleague was speaking, the Chinese colleagues were talking among themselves. The German CEO reacted angrily, as he believed the Chinese colleagues were exchanging information among themselves.
