中西文化差异情景案例分析说课讲解

中西文化差异情景案

例分析

Culture Difference Case Study

Unit 1 Language and Culture in Communication

Theory

Communication is something we do every day. It takes place so naturally that we simply fail to notice it until it hiccups or breaks down. Though it is commonplace, it is no exaggeration to say that communication is life and life is communication.

1.When you join a social gathering, you must be aware of rules and procedures that govern the way things are going to proceed. There is a technical term for such rules and procedures—schema.

2. Face and politeness are two other areas which are extremely value—sensitive. One of the distinctive features of Chinese politeness is self—denigration and other—elevation.

Case 1

Litz is a professor of cross—cultural communication in a university in Finland. She invited her Chinese students home for an evening party.

The schema from Litz’s point of view includes the following:

1. Giving invitation: by phone / by mail

2. Prepare everything before the arrival of guests

3. Receiving guests: open the door / express welcome / take their overcoats / introduce guests / offer them drinks / make them comfortable

4. Serving food: set the table / soup first / main course / desert

5. Post dinner activities: chat / play music / offer more drinks

6. Seeing guests off: thank them for coming / good night

Litz’s evening party was not very successful, because she was upset by one of her guests. Here was the initial conversation between Litz and Lin:

Litz: (opens the door) Oh, Lin, how nice you could come!

Lin: It’s not difficult to find your house.

Litz: Come on in.

Lin: (comes in)

Litz: Can I take your coat?

Lin: No, thanks.

Litz: Ok, this way please.

Lin: (take off her coat and hangs it)

Analysis: Litz was hurt because Lin did not let her h ang her coat. Litz’s offering to hang Lin’s coat is one of Litz’s ways (it’s on Litz’s schema). On Lin’s side, she thought that Litz was her supervisor and that it was inappropriate to let her supervisor hang her coat. Here we have an instance of one action attached with different cultural values.

Case 2

Finding an Interested Buyer

Georage Hall was in Beijing attending a trade fair and looking for an opportunity to do business in China. He had been very successful in his business dealings in the US and prided himself on his ability “to get things moving.” His first day was going well .He looked around at the displays of sporting equipment to get some idea of whom he might approach. He was sure that his products, tennis rackets with an unusual new design, would arouse some interests. On the second day he approached the company which he felt would be most responsive to his products. He introduced himself to the general, a Mr. Li. Since he had read that Chinese find getting down to business immediately too abrupt and rude, he began a casual conversation, eventually leading up to the topic of his products and suggesting how Mr. Li’s company might benefit from using them. George then suggested that he could arrange to get together with Mr. Li and provide more specifics and documentation on his products.

Mr. Li responded in fairly good English,” That would be interesting.”

Knowing that he had only a few days left in Beijing, George wanted to nail down a time,” When can we meet?” asked George.

“Ah. This week is very busy,” replied Mr. Li.

“It sure is,” said George,” How about 10 o’clock? Meet you here.”

“Tomorrow at 10 o’clock?” asked Mr. Li thoughtfully.

“Right,” said George, “I’ll see you then?”

“Hmm, yes; why don’t you come by tomorrow,” was the reply.

“OK,” responded George,” It was nice meeting you.”

The next day at 10 o’clock he approached Mr. Li’s company’s exhibit only to find that Mr. Li had some important business and was not able to meet with George. He called back later in the day and was told that Mr. Li was not available.

Analysis:英美人士做事情讲究守时。而中国人不太重视这方面。本案列中，李先生不

仅没有准时接见预约的客户，甚至放了他“鸽子”。

Case 3

Professor Liang has written a book on Chinese culture in Chinese. His book is put on display in Beijing International Book Fair’ 96. Professor Liang would like to have his book translated into English and submitted to Thompson Publishers. Professor Liang has asked Li Yan, whom he meets regularly in the English Corner, to help him to talk to Peter Allright, a Thompson representative.

Prof. Liang:奥莱特先生，这是鄙人的拙作。

Li Tan: Mr. Allright, this a clumsy book written by your humble servant.

Mr Allright: No, no, no, you're not my humble servant. We do not publish books in Chinese. Li Yan (to Professor Liang): 不，不，不，你不是我的仆人，我们不出中文书。Professor Liang: 我要请李艳翻译成英文。

Li Yan (to Mr. Allright): Professor Liang will ask me to translate it into English.

Mr. Allright: Mm that’s interesting.

Analysis: Chinese authors almost always belittle their works by describing them as clumsy writings, and they use the same description when they present them to Chinese publishers. But this will be counter—productive in English. Instead, authors should point out the merits of their works rather than “clumsiness”.

Unit 2 Culture Shock

Theory

1. Culture shock can be described as the feeling of confusion and disorientation that one experiences when faced with a large number of new and unfamiliar people and situations.

2. There is a desire for independence and separateness, found in foreigners' needs for their own privacy and autonomy

3. Hospitality means the cordial and generous reception of or disposition toward guests.

4. Politeness refers to the consideration for others, tact, and observance of accepted social usage.

5. Privacy could be understood as the right of an individual to self-determination as to the degree to which the individual is willing to share with others information about himself. Case 1

Jane, an American teacher in the US, had just started teaching English to a group of Japanese students. She wanted to get to know the students more formally, so she invited them to her house for party. The students all arrived together at exactly 8:00 p.m. They seemed to enjoy the party: they danced, sang, and ate most of the food. At about 10:00 p.m, one of the students said to the teacher, “I think it’s time for me to leave. Thank you very much for the party.” Then all the other students got up to go, and all left at the same time. Jane decided she would never invite them again!

Analysis:在日本以及其他很多的亚洲国家里，年轻人通常成群结队的一起去参加一些社交聚会，然后一道离去。在他们看来这是很正常不过的事。然后Jane认为这是一种侮辱，因为他们在同一时间里一下子全部离开了。在美国以及其他一些英语国家，晚上10点离开一个聚会相对来说是比较早的。

Case 2

Four Secretaries and Their Jobs

Four classmates from a top Chinese university all took jobs as secretaries after graduation. Five years later the four former classmates had a reunion and discussed their jobs.

Chen Qi and Dai Yun both work as bilingual secretaries for a Finnish company in Beijing. Chen Qi is secretary to the Finn general manger, and Dai Yun is secretary to the Chinese local manger, a position only slightly lower than that of the Finn manger.

Zhang Ying is from a politically prominent family and was hired as the secretary to the leader of a small government bureau in the capital city of her home province. Lu Yan works for a state run enterprise in the same city where she was hired as the secretary to the new manager for international marketing. The company has never marketed its products abroad before so this office and Lu Yan’s position are new to the compan y.

Five years later Chen Qi is satisfied with her job with the Finnish company but Dai Yun is not. The Finn manager receives orders from the company’s home office in Finland, and he gives orders to those below him in China, including his secretary Chen Qi. He tells her how he wants his time scheduled and she then makes appointments for him according to his instructions. She translates memos and other documents and interprets from Chinese to English to Chinese. If the manager does not think Chen Qi has done her work well, he tells her right away. He is very demanding, but Chen Qi feels that she knows what her duties are and knows what her manager expects. She is confident that she is doing a good job.

Dai Yun often does not have as much work to do as Chen Qi does, because her boss schedules his own appointments and does a lot of the office paperwork himself. When he is out of town she has time to study for the graduate entrance exam. However, she is not sure whether or not she is doing a good job. Her manager tells her what she is expected to do, but he does this day by day. When people call or come to the office to see her boss, she greets them in English or Chinese as necessary. She receives their memos and other messages as well as their questions and requests and passes them on to her manager. Dai Yun thinks of her job as doing what her manager wants her to do. She pays close attention to his moods and behavior, and sometimes she is able to anticipate what he would like without him telling her. Analysis: 许多中国人在外企工作，不同国家的外企领导有不同的工作作风和标准。本

案列中，戴云给不同的外国上司做秘书，在工作中出现由于不同的文化冲突而引起的

各种工作以及沟通中的问题就很常见了。

Case 3: One cold winter day in a Chinese city, Wang Lin on his way to the library met an American professor who knew very little about China. After greeting him, Wan g said: “It’s rather cold. You’d better put on more clothes.” But the professor didn’t appear happy on hearing this.

Analysis: 美国人以及大部分西方国家的人们不喜欢被告知要怎么做怎么做，他们比较

喜欢独立，然而中国人则习惯关心别人，这个案例中王林的建议表达的就是一种对他

人的关心，可是美国教授却不习惯这样的表达。

Case 4

In a good restaurant, fourteen people are gathered to say goodbye to their professor, who is moving to another university.

Steven: May I have your attention please? I’d like to call upon Ben to say a few words.

Ben: Thank you, Steven. Professor Shore, colleagues:

Tonight is one of those paradoxes --- it’s a sad time and yet it’s a happy time. Sad, because. We are losing one of our best professors; happy because we are pleased to see Professor Shore

gain the recognition that he richly deserves.I’m not sure who will be able to contro l us and keep us

in line. I think the new professor will have a difficult time. And surely no one will be able to tell

jokes in the same way as you, Professor. Seriously, we all know that you will be difficult to replace. Your scholarly approach and your dedication will always be remembered. I would therefore like to propose a toast. Colleagues, pelase charge your glasses. Professor Shore, may your future be filled will great success, and may you always remember us. We know we will never

forget you.

To Professor Shore!

All: (Standing up) To Professor Shore! (Everyone drinks. Professor Shore remains seated and smiles at them all.)

Analysis:就餐时总是要在各种缘由下向人敬酒：可以是非正式的，向朋友或同事敬酒；也可以是正式的，向全体聚会的人敬酒。与中国式的敬酒大不相同的是，在西方正式的敬酒时，受敬的人是不能喝酒的，而是正襟危坐，两眼睁睁看别人喝酒。另一个不同是：无论正式还是非正式，敬酒的人不必走过去敬酒，而是在自己的座位处站起来敬酒。敬酒时开始的语言永远是：“向…”，而其他随敬酒的人重复敬酒人的第一句话（即“向…”），然后喝一口酒。敬酒时如果举了杯，说了敬词，而实际上没有喝酒，就会被看做十分不恭的行为，在很久以前甚至于被认为是一种侮辱，是不想加入敬酒的仪式。

Case 5

An American went to Chinese home. He was offered some tea. Just when the first cup was about to finish, more tea was added. The visitor drank the second cup. Then the cup was filled the third time. Then he drank it, then… until the visitor was quite full. Why?

Analysis:在中国的传统文化习俗里，主人通常会不断给客人倒水倒茶，或者不断地给客人的盘子里加食物以表示他的热情好客。面对的这样的情况，中国客人知道如何处理，在他们觉得吃饱喝足之后，就会随它放在桌上。而美国客人就不懂了，在美国，

在自己的盘子里剩下食物是不礼貌的，于是他出于遵循美国文化理念可能会在这样的招待中吃的过多。

Case 6

Dinner with Friend

Janice is a young American engineer working for a manufacturing joint venture near Nanjing. She and her husband George, who is teaching English at a university, are learning Chinese and enjoying their new life .They have been eager to get to know Chinese people better so they were pleased when Liu Lingling , Janice’s young co-worker invited them to her home for dinner.

When Janice and George arrived，Lingling introduced them to her husband Yang Feng , asked them to sit down at a table containing 8 plates of various cold dishes, served them tea and then disappeared with her husband into the kitchen. After a few minutes Lingling came back and added water to their tea. Janice offered to help in the kitchen but Lingling said she didn’t need help. She invited the couple to look at their new CD player and their colorful TV and then disappeared again.

A half-hour later she came back and sat down and the three began to eat. Yang Feng came in from time to time to put dish after hot dish on the table. Most of the food was wonderful but neither George nor Janice could eat the fatty pork in pepper sauce or the ea cucumbers, and there was much more than they could eat. They kept wishing Yang Feng would sit down so they could talk to him .Finally he did sit down to eat a bit ,but quickly turned on the TV to show them all its high teching features. Soon it was time to go home.

George and Janice felt slightly depressed by this experience, but returned the invitation two weeks later. They decided to make a nice American meal and felt lucky to find olives, tomato juice, crackers and as appetizers. For the main course they prepared spaghetti and a salad with dressing made from oil, vinegar, and some spices they found in the market.

When Liu Lingling and Yang Feng arrived they were impressed by the apartment and asked the price of the TV, video player, vacuum cleaner and other things. Janice politely refused to answer their questions. They took small tastes of the appetizers and seemed surprised when both George and Janice sat down with them. They ate only a little spaghetti and did not finish the salad on their plates. George urged them to eat more but they refused and looked around expectantly. Junice and George talked about their families and jobs and asked the table and served coffee and pastries. Yang Feng and Lingling each put four spoons of sugars into their coffee but did not drink much of it and ate only a bite or two of pastry.

After they left, George said that at least they had a chance to talk, but Janice was upset. “We left their place so full that we couldn’t walk and they’re going to have to eat again when they get home. What went wrong?

Analysis:中西方饮食习惯大大的不同。中国人邀请客人会准备一大桌子的菜，并在就餐过程中使劲劝说客人多吃点，吃完之后，还有剩菜，就表明主人的盛情款待。而西

方人一不劝吃，二就餐完毕后，盘子最好是空的。本案列中的两对中外夫妇不明这个文化差异，发生误解就是自然而然的事了。

Case 7

After the meal and after the table has been cleared. Liu is not sure what to do, but wants to help in some way. At least he wants to offer.

Helen: Thanks for your help, Huang.

Liu: Pleasure. What can I do now?

Helen: Nothing. It’s fine. I’ll rinse these dishes then stack them. It’ll only take a minute. Liu: Does the family usually help?

Helen: Well, at special times. Jack sometimes rinses the dishes but you can see he’s really tired tonight.

Liu: Let me do it for you.

Helen: No truly, it’s okay.

Liu: Maybe I can wipe the table then.

Helen: That would be helpful. Thanks. You’re really kind, Huang.

Analysis:在西方人家中的就餐的时间里，大家都设法插手帮一下忙，即便是男士也不例外，不要一点不动着开饭。所有家住者要能帮者摆摆餐具，或餐后收拾洗碗，把餐具放进洗碗机，倒垃圾，站在一边帮着擦干洗好的餐具。虽然都是小忙，却表明你对别人的操劳非常在意，是个用心的人。

Case 8

Two strangers have been chatting.

A: So you’re been here for a year?

B: Yes. One more year to go, then I’ll go back to china.

A: What will you do back home?

B: It’s hard to know. There’s a lot change at the moment.

A: Yeah. Everything is changing, everywhere. Sometimes it’s difficult to keep up.

B: That’s true. Maybe I’ll…

(A’s mobile phone rings.)

A: Excuse me, I’d better answer this. It’s probably work.

B: Sure. Take your time.

Analysis:有时在与人交谈中，难免要有什么原因要离开一会儿，或是去接一个电话，或要去洗手间。礼貌再此被提出来。出于礼貌起见，要记住做一些恰当解释再离开。

不管理由是什么，即便是要接一个手机电话，在打开电话回话前，向对方说声对不起。

如果只离开几分钟，没有必要找一个理由。你说了对不起，就表明你确实是有事要离开一会儿。

Case 9

Liu Huang is calling his friend Steven at his home.

Person: Hello. John is speaking.

Liu: Hello? I’m looking for Steven.

Person: Sorry, there’s no one here called Steven.

Liu: Is that 6577 8868?

Person: No. I think you’ve got the wrong number. This is 6578 8868.

Liu: Oh, I’m sorry.

Person: No problem. Good luck.

Liu: Thanks.

Analysis:失手拨错号码是常有的事。如果在国外，即便有语言障碍，害怕说英语，也还是要先与对方核对是不是拨错了，然后再道歉。如果发现拨错了号码就马上挂电话，是不礼貌的行为。

Case 10

Lin: Thank you so much for a wonderful night. I’ve had a great time.

Erica: It’s been a pleasure having you. We hope you can come again, soon.

Lin: I’d like that. You both know how to make me feel at home. Thanks for everything. Analysis:在动身离去的时候，找到主人，当面说一声谢谢，是有礼貌的行为。

Case 11

Off to a Bad Start

David Hu had just started working for the foreign owned company. He was sitting at his workstation but had not been given any assignment that he should be doing at this moment. He was relaxing and waiting and then thought he would take the opportunity to have a look around. He poked his head into several offices just to see what there was to be seen. Suddenly Mr. Parker came up to him and angrily asked him what he was doing. David Hu was embarrassed. He laughed and quickly started to move back toward his workstation. This did not seem to satisfy Mr. Parker who started to talk rapidly and angrily. Hoping to calm him down, Mr.Hu smiled and apologized, trying to explain that he was trying to learn more about the department. However, Mr. Parker got even angrier. Finally, another worker came by and

calmed him down, but Mr. Parker left, he still looked angry. Mr.Hu sighed; he knew he had made a bad start but still didn’t understand why.

Analysis:外国人很讲究隐私权，一般不允许自己的私人空间受到打扰。而中国人比较喜欢看热闹，想知道别人在做什么。所以在本案列中，吴先生未经允许就在公司四处走动，引起其他员工的强烈不满。

Case 12

Sharing the Wealth

Anna Bilow had been working for a Chinese-owned and operated company in Nanjing for about six months. The division she was working in had a small collection of Chinese-English dictionaries, English language reference books, and some videos in English including a couple of training films and several feature films that Anna had brought at her new employer’s request when she came from Europe. Anna knew that some of the other sections had similar collections. She had sometimes used her friendship with one of the women in another department, Gu Ming, to borrow English novels and reference books and in turn had let Gu Ming borrow books from her section’s collection. On other occasions, she had seen friendly, noisy exchanges, where one of the other workers in her division had lent a book or video to a colleague from another section.

Anna thought it was a great idea when a memo was circulated saying that the company’s leaders had decided to collect all the English language materials together into a single collection. The plan was to put them in a small room that was currently being used for storage so that all employees could have equal access to them. Now she would no longer have to go from department to department trying to find the materials she needed.

Anna was surprised to hear her co-workers complaining about the new policy. When the young man in charge came to the department to collect their English language materials, she was astounded to see them hiding most of the books and all but one of the videos in their desks. When she checked out the new so-called collection, she found that the few items were all outdated or somehow damaged. She also noticed that none of the materials she had borrowed from Gu Ming were in the collection. She asked her friend why the Chinese were unwilling to share their English language materials with all their co-workers, when they seemed willing to share them within their departments.

Analysis:西方人对隐私方面有许多禁忌，中国人对自我隐私的保护也十分注重，但是两者之间存在较大差别。西方人乐于将自己的书籍和整理的资料拿出来让朋友和同事共享，而在中国，即便是朋友间，人们也不愿意与人共享自己的书籍和资料。由于这种资料共享的观念不同，案例中Anna才会难以理解顾明等同事将自己的资料，书籍藏起来的做法。

Unit 3 What’s in a Name?

Theory

1. Chinese and British people call each other with titles in different ways.

2. Kin terms are used in family members, but it differs between westerns and Chinese people.

Case 1

A British tourist is traveling by train in China. Sitting opposite him is a Chinese passenger. They introduce themselves to each other…

British tourist: Hello, I’m Eric Jackson. Glad to meet you.

Chinese passenger: Hello, my name is Liu Xin. I’m glad to meet you, too. Where do you come from, Mr. Eric?

British tourist: I’m from Britain. Please just call me Eric, Mr. Xin.

Chinese passenger: And you may just call me Liu Xin.

Analysis:Both of them have taken each other’s given name for the surname, since the order of the surnames of Chinese and English names are just the opposite. As in both cultures a title is usually used with the surname, they feel unnatural when their given names are used with the titles. According to British custom it’s quite normal for persons who first meet to ad dress each other by their given names alone, whereas here, when people first meet, they usually address each other by their full names and never by their given names alone.

Case 2

A British tourist is visiting a Chinese family. The Chinese hostess introduces herself and her husband to guest…

Chinese hostess: Welcome to my home. My name is Cai Hong, and this is my husband. British tourist: Thank you, Mrs. Cai. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Cai. I’m Lucy Taylor. Chinese hostess: Have a seat, Madam Lucy.

Analysis:The British tourist thinks that Cai Hong’s surname is her husband’s surname, since she is unaware of the fact that in China women still use their own surname after marriage. Cai Hong thinks that ‘madam’ is a respectful term of address for any fem ale English-speaker, unaware of the fact that in Britain it is usually used by someone who is providing a service such as a shop assistant to a customer or a policeman to a member of the public as in ‘Can I help you, madam?’ It is never used as a title before someone’s name. She also mistakes the given name for the surname.

Case 3

Lin Mei is a Chinese student who is now studying at a university in America. Her seven-year-old daughter Jiajia is with her and studies in a primary school. They have been in America for three years. Wang Xiaohong is a Chinese visiting scholar at the same university as Lin Mei and the two get on well with each other. Wang Xiaohong sometimes feels lonely since she has been in America for only two months, so she sometimes visits Lin Mei’s family. One day she came to visit them. Below is their conversation.

Wang Xiaohong: 佳佳，你妈妈在家吗？

Jiajia: 在。妈妈，小红阿姨找你。

Lin Mei: 王教师您来啦，请坐。我女儿真不懂礼貌。佳佳，以后要叫王阿姨。Analysis: The combination of the term of address Xiaohong Ayi (given name + Auntie) reflects the mixture of the two cultures. On the one hand we have the extended use of kin terms preceded by a person’s name, conventionally surname, e.g. Wang + Auntie, in Chinese culture. On the other we have the conventional use of kin terms followed by given names e.g. Auntie + Xiaohong, in the culture of English—speaking countries. In other words, it shows the combination of Chinese sequence, i.e. name + kin term and English use of given name. Since Jiajia has lived in America for three years, she must have been strongly influenced by the foreign culture despite the influence of Chinese culture from her mother and other Chinese. So from Jiajia’s point of view it is appropriate and polite to call Wang Xiaohong Xiaohong Ayi. However, Lin Mei, as an adult, still sticks to the Chinese culture when dealing with a Chinese who came to America only recently; and according to Chinese culture, it is impolite for child to address an adult by using his or her given name.

Unit 4 Social Interaction

Theory

Social interaction is one of the most common interactions between people. Cultural differences can lead to difficulties when foreigners and Chinese meet. Such differences can cause misunderstanding, unsatisfactory interaction and even unpleasant physical reactions. Different expectations exist, governing what is considered appropriate, polite and respectful. Expectation can also differ regarding privacy, and the directness and indirectness with which people should express themselves.

Case1

Erica goes to a small dinner party to which she and a friend have been invited. Her host, Mrs. Penny meets them at the door of her home.

Penny: Hello, Erica. Welcome. Please come in.

Erica: Thank you. John, I’d like to introduce Mrs. Penny Roberts. Penny, this i s my friend John Pernot.

Penny: Hello, John. Welcome.

John: Hello, Mrs. Roberts.

Penny: Please call me Penny. Now do come inside and sit down.

Analysis: 在介绍时，先介绍谁是有些规矩的，弄不好会产生误会。但学起来并不难。一般的规矩是：首先介绍女性，男女主人，来宾或不太熟的人。

Case2

Erica: Professor Honda, may I introduce my classmate Steven Jacobs. Steven, this is my professor of literature.

Prof: Nice to meet you, Steven.

Steven: Thank you. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Professor Honda. Etica has talked a lot about you.

Porf: All good, I hope.

Analysis:在西方，将较年轻的人介绍给年纪较大的人以表示对后者的尊重。这也适用于对社会地位的考虑。如果有三个人：一位教授，两位学生。教授的名称要先被提起，同时请他接受向另一位学生的介绍，然后再把第二位学生介绍给他。

Case 3

When my wife introduced me to a tourist from Canada, I shook hands with him and used my business card. And he seemed embarrassed.

Analysis:西方人通常不像中国人和日本人那样在介绍时彼此递送名片。他们通常只有在商务活动中才使用名片。

Case 4

A Frenchman took part in a party; the host didn’t introduce him to others. But the Frenchman chatted with one of the guests. The others became angry.

Analysis:当两个西方人在一起的时候，如果遇到另一个人，通常要把在场每一个人介绍一遍。如果新加入的人没有被介绍就同其中一个人聊了起来，其他的人就会认为这两个人的行为没有礼貌。

Case 5

When Lin met a lady from America, he didn’t know whether he should shake hands with her or not, but having taken politeness into consideration, he reached out his hand.

Analysis:如果一位男士拿不准是否要与一位女士握手，最好先等这位女士把手伸出来。

Case 6

Erica: Hello! Thanks for coming. Here, let me take your coat.

Lin: Hello. Thanks. Here’s some wine for you.

Erica: That’s lovely. You really shouldn’t have, Lin. Thank you. Let’s go in and meet the others.

Analysis: 无论东方还是西方，去做客总要带点儿礼物。无论赴晚会还是晚宴，带甁葡萄酒总是适宜的。有些西方人给女主人买些花儿，或是巧克力。呈上礼物的时候，对你的礼物低调处理，就是说，不要太多地谈论你的礼物。上面的范例是，受礼的主人倒要说上两句，以表谢意。

Case 7

Two colleagues are at work.

Karen: What are you doing for Christmas?

Li: Some friends have invited me to stay with them over Christmas.

Karen: That’s great! I guess you’ll experience a western-style Christmas then?

Li: Yeah. It’s good, isn’t it? Maybe you can help. I’d like to take something but I’m not sure what.

Karen: Do your friends have any children?

Li: Mmmm. Two, I think. One’s 6 and the other’s a little younger, I th ink.

Karen: Well you can’t go wrong if you take a gift for each of them. Wrap them up and put them under the Christmas tree.

Li: Such as?

Karen: Maybe a box of Christmas candy.

Li: That’s a great idea!

Karen: Well, I have to go now, Li. Merry Christmas.

Li: Merry Christmas to you, Karen. Thanks for your help.

Analysis: 礼物都要在节前包好放在圣诞树下，要在圣诞节那天打开。客人送的礼物也会同家人的一起方在树下。礼物都要富有圣诞色彩的纸包装，放上一个小标签（名签），上写有送的人和接收礼物的人的名字。

Case 8

Erica: Lin, do have some more dessert.

Lin: Thank you, but I’m afraid I’ve had enough. It’s w onderful.

Analysis:同世界上其他国家的人一样，西方人也很好客。他们也总是想让客人吃得多多的。所有学会怎样在餐桌上婉言谢绝很有用处。

Case 9

Linhua has accompanied an American delegation to visit China. They have experienced the hospitality of the Chinese people. After returning to America, Linhua once visited them. They were so glad to meet again. Linhua offered to host the meal, but they refused. They ordered

their own dish, and Linhua ordered her own. When footing the bill, they only paid their part, and no one wanted to pay for Linhua. Linhua found them so inhospitable, though she knew the Americans would usually pay for their own food.

Analysis: 在中国，为了表示热情好客，人们往往会请客人在自己家里吃饭，要是在外就餐时，主人也会抢着为客人买单。而在美国，为了表示平等与独立，就餐时，人们一般都实行AA制，各付各的帐。

Case 10

A famous Chinese actress married a German. One day when she was acting, her husband was there watching, saying again and again that she was the best actress. The actress’ colleagues present asked her afterwards to tell her husband not to praise his own wife like that in public. On learning this, the German wondered what he did wrong.

Once the actress and her husband were talking with their Chinese friends at a party, her husband politely praised a Chinese lady on her beauty. The lady’ husband said that his wife was moderately good looking when young, but now she was old and no longer so. The lady nodded in agreement with a smile. The actress’ husband was surprised.

Analysis:在西方国家里，家庭成员之间互相赞美是很正常的事情，被赞美者通常也会感到很愉快。但是中国人似乎很少在公共场所赞美自己的家人。在第二个例子中，西方文化里认为说自己的家人看上去很老，这样的说法是不合适的。称赞“你有一个漂亮的妻子”在西方国家里是很自然的也是被高度欣赏的，而在中国同样的赞美或许会被认为是不妥当的，尤其在年长者面前。

Unit 5 Role and Relationships

Theory

There are different expectations towards different roles between males and females, parents and children, and among friends in different cultures. For instance, different values in child-rearing, family relationship, friendship and so on.

Case 1

The Entrepreneur

Charles was excited about his new promotion and transfer to China .He had done well in the marketing department of his company and had been promoted to assist the director of

mark eting at the company’s recently established operations in Shanghai. HE had studied a bit about Chinese, but so far had worked only in the United States and had little experience with Chinese individuals or culture. In the two months before relocating, Charles often went to the local university library to try to absorb all he could about China, its culture, and the ways of doing business. In addition, his company provided a week-long culture seminar just prior to his departure.

After arriving in Shanghai, Charles found that his work was exciting and that marketing to the Chinese was a new challenge .During his culture seminar he had learned several concepts that were important in the Chinese business environment such as the concept of guanxi .HE had also learned about individualism .He felt he understood these concepts and was sure he would learn more.

Because the marketing director had two assistants, Charles worked closely with Dashan, his Chinese was counterpart .Charles learned that Dashan came from a fairy influential family in the area. Dashan was quite motivated and worked very hard .to Charles it seemed that Dashan was quite “individualistic” as he worked hard for bonuses, was always going the extra mile, and had set a number of work related goals for himself.

After a few months, Dashan left the company to start a venture of his own .Charles kept in touch with him and noticed that Dashan’s business was doing very well. One weekend, Dashan invited Charles for dinner .Many of Dashan’s relatives were presen t as well as some friends whom Charles had not met .Charels found that Dashan’s house was quite nice and equipped with many big-ticket consumer items ,such as a personal computer ,air-conditioning, and modern kitchen appliances ,Charles also learned that Dashan had recently bought a new car for his parents .It was clear that Dashan’s business was very profitable and

successful .Dashan was managing it himself and already had 40 or 50 employees .It seemed to Charles that Dashan was doing quite a good job of b eing “individualistic.”

Analysis:中西方人们对父母和孩子之间关系的理解有一定区别。案例中，大山对工作努力、拿奖金、跳槽、装修房子、给父母买新车等都被Charles视为个人主义很强，为

了得到自己的利益才努力工作等。而在中国人眼里，给父母买房子，买车，努力工作以让自己父母过上好日子都是孝顺的表现。

Case 2

What is True Friendship?

Yang Ruifang worked as a secretary in an Australian company in Melbourne. She became friendly with one of the Australian secretaries , a woman named Cathy Lane .The two usually ate lunch together and Yang Ruifang often asked Cathy for advice on problems she she faced adjusting to Australian society. Cathy gave her a lot of advice and helped her move from one apartment to another. Cathy went with Yang Ruifang to the Immigration Bureau several times to help sort out some problem. Yang Ruifang visited Cathy several times at home but did not invite Cathy to her apartment because she shared it with four other people .If they did not see each other over the weekend , they usually talked on the telephone. As Yang Ruifang was also preparing to take an English test, she was able to get a lot of help with English in this way.

However, something seemed to be going wrong. Cathy seemed to be getting impatient, even a little cold .She started going out by herself at lunchtime instead of eating with Yang, and seemed reluctant to answer questions. Yang Ruifang was puzzled. Sh e couldn’t imagine the problem was.

Analysis:中西方文化差异中，友谊的定义也是不同的，中国人觉得真正的朋友就应该非常随便，每天形影不离，一起吃饭，一起购物，在自己很无聊或是心情不好的时候随时都可以好朋友聊聊天，搬家的时候叫上朋友一起帮忙，案例中的瑞芳就是这样对待他的秘书Cathy而使Cathy感觉不自在。因为在西方国家，人们对友谊的定义与中国不同，在他们看来，无论是多么亲密的朋友都应该先约好，并且应该有自己的私人空间。

Case 3

Are You Mad at Me?

Jeff was pleased to have been assigned an international student as his roommate in his second year at a small liberal arts college in the US. Ji Bing was an easy-going guy, a good listener, warm-hearted, and always ready for a new experience. He appr eciated Jeff’s explanations of American life and unfamiliar language. Jeff didn’t think Ji Bing was any more difficult to get along with than the American roommate he had the year before, except that he seemed to want to study more than Jeff was used to an d he sometimes borrowed Jeff’s things without asking first.

One night Jeff was working on a project that required some artwork. Ji bing was at his desk studying for a test. Jeff’s scissors were just too dull to do the job, so he asked Ji bing, “Sorry to bo ther you while you’re studying, but could I use your scissors for a while?”

Ji Bing said, “Sure, “opened his desk drawer and handed Jeff the scissors. “Thanks, thanks a lot,” Jeff said. A few minutes later Jeff decided that his roommate again; “Sorry to bu g your again, but these crayons make this look like kindergarten. You know those colored pencils you have? Would it be OK if I used them for my project?”

Ji Bing got up and got them off the shelf and said, “Help yourself,” and went back to reading as Jeff thanked him.

After another few minutes Jeff said, “I must be driving you crazy, but have you got any glue or tape? Promise I’ll buy you another roll.”

Ji bing handed Jeff a role of tape that was on his desk saying, “Use as much as you want. I don’t need it.” “Appreciate it,” mumbled Jeff as he went back to his project.

Ji Bing went back to his reading. As Jeff was finishing his project he noticed that Ji Bing was watching him. He looked up and was surprised to hear his Chinese roommate ask him in a plaintiv e tone, “Are you angry at me?”

“Of course not,” Jeff replied, “What makes you think that?”

Analysis:中西方文化中，好朋友之间的交谈用语也有差别。在我们看来，向好朋友借用东西是不需要用很客气或正式的语言甚至是不需要打招呼，如果好朋友间用很客气的语言借用或是询问某事的话，会认为是见外，或者是生了对方了的气。而在西方国家，即便是再亲密的朋友，借用东西都要用很正式很客气的语言。

Unit 6 Non-verbal Communication

Theory

Non-verbal communication deals with how we communicate without words and how the effectiveness of what we say can be helped or hindered by the various non-verbal message our bodies send. When we communicate with people from other cultures, our body language sometimes helps make the communication easier and more effective, such as by shaking hands when greeting others. This has become such a universal gesture that people all over the world know that it is a signal for greeting.

Case 1

In a Chinese classroom a girl was asked to answer a question. She stood up and smiled, without making any sound.

When an American is parking his bicycle and the bicycle accidentally falls over, he feels embarrassed at his awkwardness, and his quite angered and humiliated when Chinese onlookers laugh.

In the dining room, when an American drops a plate quite by accident and feels bad, and Chinese onlookers laugh, compounding his discomfort and causing anger and bad feeling. Analysis：微笑通常表达的是友好，支持，满意，快乐等等。但很多西方人对于亚洲人

的笑有时候感到很困惑。在案例A中，女孩处于无法回答这个问题想通过微笑来掩饰

自己的尴尬局面。在案例B和C中，这时的笑显然并不是针对这个人或者是他的遭遇