Part ONE-- The Chinese Culture and Why They Do What They Do.

SAVING FACE, GIVING FACE AND LOSING FACE

Saving face means that you don't admit your own mistakes and you don't publicly humiliate your co-Nationals by exposing their mistakes. If a Chinese National who admits to making a mistake not only shames himself, but also brings shame to his country in front of foreign visitors. Losing your temper, confronting someone, putting someone on the spot, arrogant behavior,(like many Westerners at times present themselves when visiting China) or failing to pay the proper respect to someone or something, can cause a loss of face.


IMPORTANCE OF FAVORS, CONNECTIONS AND RELATIONSHIPS

The biggest cultural difference between Chinese and Americans relates to the role of the individual. The Chinese place great importance on the group. For example, everyone gathers around a round table and shares their food dishes. Consensus,(not making an important decision on your own but waiting for several people to help make the decision) and outward appearance of harmony are valued.

Proper etiquette = harmony and face. Believe it or not, there is an appropriate way to receive and give a business card with two hands. The true emotions of a person do not matter as long as you maintain composure/harmony. Many foreigners visiting China wonder why Chinese people don't get over excited and show emotions such as smiling and yelling and giving each other the "finger", like we do in the US.

Confucius historical rules of behavior are still deep-rooted in the Chinese Culture and apply to family, friends, colleagues, and acquaintances. Many times you will notice they do not apply to people that they do not know. For example-- if a Chinese person bumps into you or pulls their car in front of your car or pushes their way into the front of a line-- it is not considered rude to not offer an apology.

You notice this in everyday Chinese living as the majority of Chinese are not kind to strangers. They share no emotions. Which is not rude but just indifferent. Another perfect example is with my Chinese National fiancee who usually gets mad at me when I am kind to a stranger in China or will help a Chinese person financially that I do not know.

Leave at Home When Traveling to China or the Olympics

1. Hair dryer—3 star hotels and better have hair dryers as an amenity.

2. Tooth brush—all hotels and hostels offer a sealed and clean toothbrush and
toothpaste.

3. 50% of your clothes—when you are finished packing your clothes, take 50% out.
You will not need that many clothes. Hotels have inexpensive cleaning services.
Or, wash them in your room and hang dry.

4. Dress shoes—waste of space. Comfortable shoes are more important.

5. Shampoo and soap—hotels and hostels have as an amenity.

6. Large suitcases and luggage locks— buy in China if you have too many gifts and
need more room. Leave behind luggage locks, unless TSA-approved.

7. Sharp objects— security checks at the airport and elsewhere will confiscate them.
Knives are illegal to carry in China or Hong Kong.

8. Computer and money for electronic gifts—you can use a computer in your hotel’s
business center, at coffee shops or internet cafes. Electronics weigh you down.
Don’t buy electronics in China-- In contrast to Westerners’ perceptions,
computers and cameras are not cheaper to buy in China.
If you find a great deal on an electronic item, be careful—electronics may look
great on the outside but the inside will not function the same as you are
familiar with.

9. Cell phone— if it’s not enabled to operate internationally. Call your
provider to find out if your phone has this capability, and the costs associated
with that service.

10. Closed mind —keep an open mind and you will experience over 5000 years of history
and a fascinating culture.

Traveling to China for the Olympics? Top 10 Things to Take with You

1. Antibiotics/Imodium/Tylenol/Neosporin/Eye drops/ Benadryl—for emergencies, stomach virus, diarrhea, pollution that dries your eyes, or other aches and pains—Use when Chinese herbs and medicines don’t work or you are not sure about the prescribed Chinese drug. Don’t forget to have an emergency contact number and a number with address to a credible Chinese hospital.

2. Cash/ATM/credit card---hotels and some restaurants take credit cards. Most restaurants, stores and any small restaurant and shops only take cash/ RMB (Chinese currency is called Renminbi (people's money).
3. Small compact camera that takes video and photos (with several 4GB SD cards)—for those unforgettable moments. Don’t forget a strap to hang camera around your neck as the unforgettable moment usually happens before you can get the camera out of the case.

4. Money/passport pouch –comfortable pouch to wear under your shirt. Keep with you at all times. Scan copies of your credit cards, passport and important documents. Make them easily accessible on your web mail.

5. Map, backpack and walking shoes—take a backpack to keep your hands free when shopping, comfortable shoes for touring the sites and an English map of the cities you will visit. Google the city you are visiting and download a map.

6. Personal care goods---small hair gel, good shampoo/ razors-use shampoo as shaving crème (tomorrow, look for the “top 10 things to leave at home”)

7. Hand sanitizer and wet wipes---if you end up at small restaurants or eating establishments that have no soap or hand towels to dry and clean your hands. Wet Wipes for dirty messes or if you get stuck where there are no western toilets or toilet paper; wipes come in handy during these tense moments.

8. Gifts for Chinese people that help you—beef jerky, dark chocolate, herbs from the US; Chinese LOVE these as gifts. China makes everything else.

9. Small bags of to-go snacks—when traveling you will rarely have the convenience of convenience stores and fast food to pick up a quick snack. If you are nervous about eating at the small Chinese restaurants—pick up some peanuts and energy bars.

10. Book, (White Ghost in China) and Mini-MP3 player with loads of music and family photos---you will be traveling by bus, train, plane, taxis waiting in traffic and standing in long lines. Purchase your book at: www.whiteghostinchina.com

FOX 2 NEWS White Ghost interview

Mike and I were both fortunate to have Tim Ezell at Fox 2 News interview us about our book and one of my past inventions that I launched in 2001 before 9.11 happened. We had a great response to the lost my cup magnet in 2001. However, after 9.11.01 this inventions hype lost its appeal to the media and retailers.

Tim helped us launch this invention in 2001 and loved the "lost my cup magnet" and wanted to play some April fools jokes on drivers while talking about our book.

The interview is a good laugh and gave us some White Ghost book awareness and more book sales at the Sunset Hills Borders Book Stores.


Check out our Fox 2 segment One interview on You Tube:



Segement TWO on You Tube:


Segment THREE on You Tube: