Types of Communication in Hong Kong

Nonverbal communication in Hong Kong Business

Sirikul Pasek

Js.pasek@cityu.edu

MBA501 – Global Business Com.

Judith Wurster

Persuasive

May 28th, 2013

Position Statement: Nonverbal communication is significant key to succeed in negotiation with Hong Kong businessmen.

Introduction: Hong Kong is one of the biggest market hub for business investment in Asia. It blends between two cultures: English and Chinese.

Due to its long period of western oriented rule and highly urbanized population,

Hong Kong is a bustling, multi-cultural hub of international business and finance. Still retaining traditional Chinese cultural values, Hong Kong continues to drive forward with a western capitalist business mentality. Understanding this mixture is essential for those seeking to successfully do business in Hong Kong.

Topic: Nonverbal communication in Hong Kong Business

• Attention-getter:

- Collectivism – People in Hong Kong put the collective’s good in front of the individual’s needs. Family is the strongest collective and the cornerstone of society. Large number of businesses in Hong Kong are family owned.

- Concept of Face – In Hong Kong a person’s reputation and social standing rests on the concept of ‘saving face’, which depends on adhering to ethical and social norms of society in all situations and times. Closely connected to the importance of the collective, it is very important to maintain group harmony and avoid overt conflict so as to not lose face. Losing face will reflect on someone’s family as well as any other groups to which he or she belongs. To avoid this Hong Kong people always keep calm, do not show strong emotions in public and do not criticize openly.

- East meets West – Hong Kong is a place where East meets West. With a predominately Chinese population and a past under British rule, Hong Kong has developed into a place where Chinese traditions are mixed with Western values and ways of life. Characterized by confluence and contradictions, Hong Kong has its own unique identity, which combines elements from different worlds. (Communicaid Group Ltd., 2009).

- “Name cards are very important,” says Nicolas Touchard of the French wine company M. Chapoutier. “People want to build their networks, so they are always handing out business cards at every occasion. They might not remember what you look like, but they will remember where they got your business card.”(THE INTERNATIONAL HERALD TRIBUNE, 2011)

Audience motivation: Hong Kong operates under the ‘One Country, Two Systems’ mindset set out by Beijing. The double benefits of a capitalist system and easy access to the Chinese market make Hong Kong one of the world’s foremost business centers. To take advantage fully of this unique business culture, an understanding of Hong Kong’s complex internal relationships between western business ideals and traditional Chinese culture is essential.

Credibility: Article in New York Times: The Name Game: Business Cards an Essential Part of Operating in China

• Thesis statement: Although Hong Kong is a cosmopolitan island with very high reputation, it also has some special culture that everyone should follow in order to build personal relationships with Hong Kong people, a foreign businessman should better pay attention to these specific aspects: dining, gift giving and business card etiquette.

BODY

I. Some people believe that we should deal and talk about business as soon as possible unlike in Hong Kong we suppose not to talk about business during dining time.

1. Hong Kong people do not like to do business with stranger. That is why they need to know and learn about business partner at dining time.

2. Eating or Dinning is tend to be an important thing to run business with Hong Kong people.

* Do: Toasting is an important part of a Chinese dinner. If you are the guest of honor and are toasted, smile, make eye contact, drink, raise your glass and thank the host and guests. * Do not: It is bad manners for a host not to keep a guest 's plate full, and it is even worse for a guest not to continue eating as long as the plate is full. Always leave some food on your dish after you are finished with each course. Otherwise the host will continue refilling your plate or bowl. II. Some western business partners know that punctuality is one of the most important habits. However they should not give their business partner a clock as a present because in Hong Kong it will mean that you wish them a bad luck.

A. Do: Gift giving is a tradition in Hong Kong that accompanies respect and friendship. Be prepared to present a small gift at the first meeting, such as high-quality cognac, brandy, candies or pens.

1. Never go to a Chinese home without a gift.

2. Present and receive a gift with both hands. Do not open a gift upon receiving it.

3. Gold and red are lucky colors, so they make excellent gift’s wrapping. Elaborate gift’s wrapping is important.

B. Do not:

1. Give clocks, handkerchiefs or straw sandals, as they are associated with funeral and death.

2. Give white or red flowers (white is a symbol of mourning, red is a symbol of blood); clocks are associated with death, but watches are suitable gifts.

3. Do not give odd numbers as it is considered to be unlucky. The word for the number "3" in Chinese sounds like the word for "life," and the word for the number "8" sounds like the word for "prosperity." The Chinese word for number "9" is a homonym for the word "eternity." Give gifts in these numbers, if possible. Do not give gifts in a group of four; the Chinese word for "4" sounds similar to the word for "death."

III. Another opponents believe that we should not give our business card to everyone we see. However, name cards in Hong Kong seem to be an important thing for dealing business.

- Do: Examine business cards carefully before putting them in a business card case.

1. It is important to treat business cards with respect - never write on someone 's card unless directed to do it.

2. Business cards are exchanged using both hands.

3. Have one side of your business card translated into Chinese, with the Chinese characters printed in gold, since it is an auspicious color.

- Do not: discard or deface the card, this includes writing contact details or addresses – this is tantamount to a slap in the face for the owner of the card.

CONCLUSION: It is undeniable that nonverbal communication is important as well as verbal communication to run and do business. Knowledge of culture, traditions and behavior will help to build personal relationships with partners in Hong Kong.

REFERENCES

Lugia3. (2010, October1) Chinese Hong Kong etiquette Accessed at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rI8RchqJxI4

Bosrock[pic], M. (2013) Hong Kong cultural etiquette eDiplomat website. Accessed at

http://www.ediplomat.com/np/cultural_etiquette/ce_hk.htm

1. Communicaid Group Ltd. (2009) Doing Business in Hong Kong| Hong Kong Social and Business Culture Accessed at http://www.communicaid.com/access/pdf/library/culture/doing-business-in/Doing%20Business%20in%20Hong%20Kong.pdf

http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/hongkong-country-profile.html

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/11/business/global/11bus.html?_r=0

http://www.vayama.com/etiquette/hong-kong/

2.

References: Lugia3. (2010, October1) Chinese Hong Kong etiquette Accessed at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rI8RchqJxI4   Bosrock[pic], M. (2013) Hong Kong cultural etiquette eDiplomat website. Accessed at http://www.ediplomat.com/np/cultural_etiquette/ce_hk.htm 1. Communicaid Group Ltd. (2009) Doing Business in Hong Kong| Hong Kong Social and Business Culture Accessed at http://www.communicaid.com/access/pdf/library/culture/doing-business-in/Doing%20Business%20in%20Hong%20Kong.pdf http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/hongkong-country-profile.html http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/11/business/global/11bus.html?_r=0 http://www.vayama.com/etiquette/hong-kong/ 2.