Encountering the Chinese: A Modern Country, an Ancient Culture

I'm currently studying Chinese medicine in China. I wanted to read a book about some of the cultural differences between Chinese and Americans. This book has helped me with my studies, but it seems as though the book is geared mostly towards people who are in China doing business, not really studying. It has definitely helped me get oriented to a new culture. The book was written about 10 years ago, and I think that it is a little bit out-of-date. It seems as though things are progressing and changing very quickly in China. Most of the people whom I have encountered are more aware of American culture, than the book suggests. But, overall I would recommend this book to help you get oriented to China.

I have read many different books on Chinese culture and this one is hands down the best. I think because the book was a partnership between a foreigner and two Chinese authors the book was better able to explain why Chinese Culture is the way it is. Many Culture books just say that Chinese do A, but the foreign author doesn't even understand why Chinese do A. Perhaps, the foreign authors of these books try to explain why but in doing so frame Chinese Culture in a bad light. This book is great because you really feel like you are understanding Chinese Culture from an insider who loves his own culture rather than a foreigner who just thinks its weird.

I got this book for a class that I'm currently taking and overall it's good so far. It starts with some basics that root from language and such and moves forward from there.My only complaint is that when I got the book, the pages from the first book were falling out already! I was able to read the beginning relatively quickly so that I didn't have to deal with it, but I was disappointed by the state of this "new" book.

Very good book overall I recommend to any westerner traveling to China to read this book. it will help you have a better understanding of Chinese culture.

good service and nice book. This book is helpful to those who will go to China for study and travelling

I was required to read this for a History and Geography of E. Asia Class and it seemed to give a wealth of knowlege on Chinese culture and customs. Good, influential read.

Very informative and helpful.

Succinct, useful, and organized simply - this reads equally well as a reference as it does cover to cover. Straight-forward explanations and clear-cut analysis make this highly economical and accessible.

I was originally given an earlier edition of this same book after I had already lived in China. I very much regret that I had not read this book BEFORE going to China as it is invaluable in understanding how the Chinese culture operates both at a social level and in the workplace. The book teaches you what to expect and how to behave accordingly. Thus you can better understand your hosts, avoid any misunderstandings / social 'faux pas' and, create stronger, more efficient relationships. I've since bought this book for a friend who was going to work in China. He also found it very useful.

I like this book very much because it explains not only how Chinese people behave differently than Americans but also which underlying values cause such differences. This book fosters understanding.