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Chinese mentality and cultural codes

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Абстрактная иллюстрация трёх сред — дом, работа, общество — с силуэтами людей в каждойChinese mentality and cultural codes10 min readWhy Chinese People Behave Differently at Home, at Work, and in SocietyThe different behavior of Chinese people in the family, at work, and in public space is not hypocrisy but a switching between sets of social obligations. We break down the mechanisms of 内外, 面子, 人情 and 场合 and explain how this affects business and everyday communication.
Chinese mentality and cultural codes6 min readCollectivism in China: How It Shows Up at Work, in the Family, and in SocietyChinese mentality and cultural codes6 min readThe Chinese Understanding of Trust: Why It Is Built Differently Than in the WestChinese mentality and cultural codes8 min readWhat is guanxi (关系) and why it is more than useful connections
Деловая встреча в современном китайском офисе: участники за столом соблюдают иерархию и обмениваются визитками двумя рукамиChinese mentality and cultural codes10 min readWhat is 面子 (mianzi): how the concept of "face" works in contemporary China面子 is not politeness and not "Oriental cunning," but a publicly measured social credit of trust. We break down how 面子 differs from 脸, how it relates to 关系, where the rules apply strictly and where they barely work, and what megacities and the digital environment are changing.
Деловая встреча: китайский менеджер вежливо кивает во время переговоровChinese mentality and cultural codes6 min readWhy Chinese people may agree out loud even when they disagree internallyA public "yes" in Chinese communication often means agreement with the situation and preservation of the relationship, rather than acceptance of a commitment. We examine how face, hierarchy, and high-context communication shape this strategy, and how to distinguish politeness from a real agreement.
Деловая встреча: собеседники за столом, один говорит, другой слушает с нейтральным выражением лицаChinese mentality and cultural codes8 min readWhy Chinese people rarely say a direct "no": the logic of indirect refusalWhy in Chinese communication a direct "no" is often replaced by formulas like "it's complicated" or "we'll see," and how a Russian-speaking interlocutor should read such a refusal without mistaking politeness for agreement.
Деловая встреча в Китае: сдержанные улыбки и вежливость как способ избежать открытого конфликтаChinese mentality and cultural codes4 min readWhy Chinese people try to avoid open conflictWe examine why in Chinese culture open conflict is often perceived as undesirable and costly: the role of "face," the values of harmony, long-term relationships, and informal intermediaries. With caveats about diversity and exceptions.
Две чашки чая на столе в переговорной с видом на китайский город — метафора неторопливого выстраивания деловых отношенийChinese mentality and cultural codes7 min readWhy Personal Relationships in China Often Come Before Business OnesGuanxi is not an exotic trick, but a rational way to reduce risks and costs where formal institutions work differently. We examine the reasons, the mechanics, and the limits of this rule.