Intercultural Communication- Need Chinese person for interview :) (1 Viewer)

[dgargett95]

Could somebody originally from China please answer the following questions for help with an intercultural communication assignment I'm doing on China...
Thank-you, It's due this Friday!!!
It would help a lot

[h=2]Interview Questions[/h]
1) Describe who you are and what links you havewith the country.
2) What is viewed as acceptable public behaviour inChina and how does this contrast to Australia’s?
3) Do many people speak a second language in China?
4) What should an exchange student keep in mindabout the family they are staying with? Do you have any tips on how to act whenstaying with a family?
5) Are there any gestures that should be avoidedwhen visiting China?
6) When talking to somebody, are there any rulesfor conversation? How should people be addressed? Should you address people ofdifferent class/gender/age differently?
7) Which strategies do you recommend to avoidmisunderstanding? Don’t stare, don’t point, facial expressions, etc.
8) What clothing is acceptable to wear and for whatoccasions?
9) Are there specific gender roles?
10) Do the Chinese use much body language tocommunicate? Do you have any examples of gestures or actions you would includein conversation?
11) How important is the tone of voice inconversation?
12) How would you describe the Chinese sense ofhumour? Does it play any roles in communication?
13) How are children treated in their family and inthe community? Is there a certain way children are expected to act in bothsociety and the home?
14) Are there any table manners or rules involvingmeals that should be observed when staying with a Chinese family?

 

[YoYoWayne]

1. I'm Wayne (or do I need a Chinese name here: 修常禹). I come from China, and was educated there until I'm 15;
2. Most are the same, apart from that public in China doesn't seem to have an appearance as friendly as Australia, e.g. if you saw a stranger and say hi, he might think you are weird. Another thing is that people that's in the older generations may not accept kissing in public;
3. As Mandarin (Putonghua)_ is widely spread that almost everyone can say it, in some district if the dialect is too far from Mandarin, you can actually assume they speak two languages (e.g. people speak Cantonese in Canton province, and Hong Kong). BTW a few people in my hometown can speak Korean as their first language as well as Mandarin.
4. In modern times I don't think there is much difference from China and other country at this point; just be aware that the Chinese way to communicate (e.g. shake hands for greeting instead of kissing>.<, be modest, it's OK to use chopsticks very badly but don't use it as knife and fork, or stuck them in rice). BTW respect their political beliefs (mostly they DO NOT favour Communist Party, but most of them do think Taiwan is part of China etc...I don't want to go too deep in politics here). BTW could vary and have more rules when living in a minor race' family instead of Han.
5. Not the bird (same as everywhere else...) but no specific ones. also vary when living with minor races (they all have different favors and Taboos, this basically apply for all the questions below so I won't bother mentioning again and again, but generally don't need to mind them too much)
6. No particular rules, apart from that you should not call teachers / family members / host family members / bosses by their first name, mostly like Mr. Yang, or their full name if they are your classmates, workmates, closefriends etc. If close calling nicknames are accpeted (sometimes OK even if the names are offensive by a third person's view)
7. Explain it again. If you don't speak Native Mandarin, your 'dialect' can sort of help people to understand that you are new to the country... And yes, don't point at people or show aggresive expressions.
8. Most for most occasions, apart from if girls are widely recommended to wear not too ‘open' (I couldn't find a better word to really describe it correctly here as it's a Chinese word, but you know what I mean here)
9. Kindergarten teachers are 99% female, boxing trainer are mostly male...(but not in a traditional way really)
10. Slightly not as much as Aussies, due to the tradition and the expressions you can have in language. but overall all the same as most countries e.g. Australia. Any examples here can also apply to China.
11. Generally OK, but talking to teacher, parents etc, a respectful tone is necessary for normal communication, not the tone of mateship.
12. The ’Chinese sense of humour' could be like being 'cocky' intentionally and make really silly mistakes (not a really good example here = =). Mostly it's about language (look at its history you will know how deep you can go into it with literature). The sense of humour plays very important roles in communication, sometimes even in formal situations.
13. Basically less freedom due to school work and after school classes offered by the parents. The link between parents and children are MUCH STRONGER in China (e.g. much more people in China live with parents after they grow up). No certain way to act at home really, just respect.
14. Don't stuck your rice on your chopsticks!!!(actually opposite, but can work both ways = =), if they offer you chopsticks, use them; don't attempt eating when there are still people not ready to eat yet (even if they say it's OK to eat, it's about manner); Don't make too much sound; In China people tend to have their dishes in plates and multiple people share them, don't grab way toooooo much in one go (as if you'll not take any of them anymore).

 

[YoYoWayne]

by the way, good luck with your assessment! Please don't hesitate to ask any questions further.