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How to start a conversation with a Chinese businessperson?

How would you start a conversation with a Chinese business person? I’m sort of at a loss here. What is excellent to say, what is offensive? What are typical Chinese greetings?

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Posted by admin on Jan 14th, 2010 and filed under Computer. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.

5 Responses for “How to start a conversation with a Chinese businessperson?”

  1. Lloyd says:
    January 14, 2010 at 6:16 am

    Chinese are all about face – so you must say something that will give him face – make him honored or proud. If you meeting a Chinese business person for the first time, give him/her an expensive present with a recognizable international brand mark!

  2. lilly l says:
    January 14, 2010 at 6:22 am

    Do not look in thier eyes its disrepectful for some . Question them about thier families . Do they like children? What is the name of baby in chinese

  3. BSherman says:
    January 14, 2010 at 6:40 am

    The answer depends upon what your objective is. Are you hoping to meet this person many times in the future and gradually attain a trusted relationship built on mutual respect? Or are you looking to make a quick dollar and reckon that you are smarter than other people?

    If you are sincere in your motives, then that will shine through in your behavior. Always be polite, honest, fascinating, and willing to take initiative. Your success will be based upon how well you treat others.

    If you are prowling for simple money and to take advantage of others, then that is immediately obvious to all who meet you. Experienced business people encounter dubious characters on a regular basis and know how to abruptly deal with them.

  4. black cat says:
    January 14, 2010 at 6:42 am

    It’s imperative that you learn to speak some Chinese if you mean business. It makes a lot of difference if you can communicate simple thoughts in Chinese. I suggest learning basic Chinese whether in the comforts of your home or at a language center. Invest in bilingual books or DVDs. Have you heard of http://www.childbook.com? They got fantastic materials for learning Chinese.

    Anyways, some common Chinese expressions are:
    nǐ hǎo= hello
    Xìng huì!= nice to meet you
    Nǐ zěnme yàng?= what’s up?
    Wǎnshàng hǎo= excellent night
    Zàijiàn= see you again
    Míngtiān jiàn=see you tomorrow

  5. Sunshower says:
    January 14, 2010 at 7:15 am

    I agree with what the cat above me said. I have visited the site and they sell excellent books for adults who want to learn Chinese. Here’s the link: http://www.childbook.com

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