The Chinese Mind

by De Mente, Boye Lafayette

• ISBN13: 9780804840118
• ISBN10: 0804840113
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2009-03-10
• Publisher: Tuttle Pub

Summary

Chinese culture is now evolving in the direction of Western cultures-especially popular American culture. More and more Chinese are giving preference to personal, people-oriented standards that are making their society less formalistic, less ritualistic, and less homogenous. But it is still Chinese!

Author Biography

Boye Lafayette De Mente is an acknowledged authority on Asia and the author of more than 30 books, including Etiquette Guide to China, Instant Chinese: How to Express 1,000 Different Ideas with Just 100 Key Words & Phrases and Survival Chinese: How to Communicate without Fuss or FearùInstantly.

Table of Contents

Notes on China
The Name of China in Chinese	p. 11
Origin of the Name China	p. 11
The Ethnic Makeup of China	p. 12
The Administrative Makeup of China	p. 12
The Chinese Language	p. 13
Writing Chinese in Roman Letters	p. 14
Pronunciation Guide	p. 15
Preface
The Origin of Cultures	p. 17
Introduction
The Foundation of Chinese Culture	p. 19
The Yin-Yang Principle in Chinese Culture	p. 19
The Role of Language in Preserving & Transmitting Chinese Culture	p. 23
The Role of Hanzi (Hahn-jee) in Chinese Culture	p. 25
The Chinese Language under Assault	p. 28
The Essence of China's Traditional Culture	p. 33
China's Vertical Society	p. 35
The Role of Situational Ethics	p. 38
The Preference for "Soft No's"	p. 40
The Chinese Way of Viewing & Using Laws	p. 42
The Chinese Concept of Time	p. 44
Emotional Intelligence vs. Rational Intelligence	p. 45
The Chinese "What" vs. the Western "Why/Because"	p. 48
The Imperative of Self-Sufficiency	p. 49
The Role of Formality	p. 51
The Food Mystique	p. 52
The Chinese Banquet Tradition	p. 54
The Ongoing Role of Festivals in China	p. 56
China's Three Most Important Festivals	p. 57
The Dragon Boat Race	p. 58
The Mid-Autumn Festival	p. 59
Double Ninth Day	p. 59
The Lantern Festival	p. 59
The Chinese Lunar Calendar	p. 60
Birthdays & Weddings	p. 62
Weddings	p. 63
Myths & Superstitions in China	p. 63
The Feng-Shui Factor	p. 65
China's Martial Arts Legacy	p. 67
China's Theatrical Traditions	p. 69
The Art of Puppetry	p. 71
The Cultural Role of Calligraphy In Chinese Culture	p. 71
Literature in Chinese Culture	p. 73
Contemporary Literature	p. 74
Religion in Today's China	p. 76
Chinese Culture Today	p. 79
Fulfilling 5,000 Years of Suppressed Needs, Wants & Ambitions	p. 81
The "Get Rich is Glorious" Tipping Point	p. 82
"Big Brother" is Alive and Thriving	p. 84
The American Influence on Chinese Culture	p. 85
The Influence of Computers and the Internet on Chinese Culture	p. 86
The Second Cultural Revolution	p. 88
Looking Out for Number One	p. 89
The New-Age Entrepreneurs	p. 90
The New Romans	p. 91
The New-Age Aristocrats	p. 93
The New Women of China	p. 93
The Influence of American Movies & Television on Chinese Culture	p. 95
China's Sexual Revolution	p. 97
The Influence of the English Language on Chinese Culture	p. 98
The Games Kids Play	p. 100
The Influence of Foreign Music	p. 101
The Inroads of Western Entertainment in China	p. 102
The Foreign Fast-Food Culture Invades China	p. 103
The Shopping Scene in Today's China	p. 105
Fashion Boutiques	p. 106
Foreign Supermarkets	p. 106
The Impact of Foreign Sports on Chinese Culture	p. 107
The Olympic Impact	p. 108
The Influence of Foreign Celebrities on Chinese Culture	p. 109
The Automobile Culture In China	p. 110
Weddings & Marriage in China	p. 112
Traditional Medicine in China Today	p. 114
The Marvel of Acupuncture	p. 115
The Ongoing Importance of Traditional Music	p. 117
The Cultural Role of China's Traditional Games	p. 118
The Ubiquitous Mahjong	p. 119
Rehabilitation of China's Ancient Philosophers	p. 121
Education in China	p. 123
The Tourism Welcome Mat Helping to Save China's Traditional Culture	p. 125
The Weather in China	p. 127
Smoking in China	p. 127
China's Gambling Culture	p. 127
The New Look of China's Military Forces	p. 129
Key Words that Reveal the Chinese Way of Thinking & Behaving	p. 131
Bao (Bah-oh) Trading Social Credits	p. 131
Bi (Bee) Unity the Chinese Way	p. 132
Budan Xin (Buu-dahn Sheen) Chinese Style Sincerity	p. 133
Buhe Luoji De (Buu-hay Loo-oh-jee Duh) Look Out for Fuzzy Logic!	p. 133
Buzhidao (Boo-jee-dah-oh) Avoiding Responsibility!	p. 134
Cheng (Chuung) The Importance of Personal Loyalty	p. 136
Chou (Choh-ou) Criticism is Not Taken Lightly!	p. 136
Daoqian (Dow-chee-inn) The Importance of the Apology	p. 138
De (Duh) The Saving Grace of Humanity	p. 138
Di Sam Zhe (Dee Sahn Jay) The Importance of Third Parties	p. 139
Falu (Fah-luu) Laws in their Chinese Context	p. 141
Fuze Ren Yuan (Foo-tsuh Wren Yuu-enn) Finding the Responsible Person	p. 141
Ganjin (Gahn-jeen) The New "Can Do" Chinese	p. 142
Ge (Guh) Keeping Your Balance During Interesting Times	p. 143
Gongwei (Goong-way-ee) Beware the Flattery Ploy	p. 144
Guan (Goo-een)/Contemplating Things Deeply	p. 145
Guanxi (Gwahn-she) The Role of Personal Connections	p. 146
Guei Mei (Gway-ee May) Staying Out of Trouble	p. 147
Guo Cui (Gwah T'sue-ee) The National Essence of the Chinese	p. 148
Hanyu (Hahn-yuu) China's Secret Code Has Been Cracked	p. 149
Hong (Hung) Looking at Things Holistically	p. 151
Hou Men (Hoe-uu Mane) The Famous Back Door	p. 152
Jiaoliu (Jee-ah-oh-lew) The Role of Mystery in Communicating	p. 152
Jiaoshu Yuren (Jeeow-shuu Yuu-wren) The Chinese Approach to Learning	p. 154
Kaolu Kaolu (Kow-luu Kow-luu) A Discreet Way of Saying No	p. 155
Liangshou Zhunbei (Lee-ing-show Juhn-bay) Two-Handed Preparation	p. 156
Lunlixue (Loon-lee-shway) Policies Instead of Ethics	p. 156
Luoji (Luu-oh-jee) How the Chinese View the World	p. 157
Mei You Ban Fa (May-ee Yoh-ou Bahn Fah) It's Not Going to Happen!	p. 158
Mianzi (Me-inn-jee) Face Comes First	p. 159
Mei You (May-ee Yoe-uu) There isn't Any of That!	p. 160
Qing (Cheeng) Being Clear About Things	p. 160
Qingke - Yanjiu Yanjiu (Cheen-kuh - Yahn-jew Yahn-jew) Wining and Dining Your Way to Success	p. 161
Shangding (shahng-deeng) Keep on Negotiating	p. 162
Shehui Dengji (Shuu-whay Dung-jee) Social Status Still Counts	p. 163
Sheng (Shung) Impressing Your Chinese Contacts	p. 164
Shi (She) The Power of Knowledge	p. 165
Shun (Shune) The "Soft Way" of the Chinese	p. 166
Si; Ji (Suh; Jee) Principles of Success	p. 167
Song (Sung) Knowing How to Avoid Conflict	p. 168
Tai (Tie) When Harmony and Prosperity Prevail	p. 169
Tai Ji Quan (Tie Jee Chuu-inn) The Great Fist of Health	p. 170
Wang Ming (Wahn Meeng) The Chinese Obsession to Achieve	p. 171
Wenhua (Win-whah) The Power of Chinese Culture	p. 172
Wuwang (Wuu-wahng) The Importance of Innocence	p. 173
Xiaoguo (She-ow-gwoh) Paying Attention to Details	p. 173
Xin (Sheen) What You See May Not be What You Get	p. 174
Xu (Shuu) The Art of Calculated Waiting	p. 175
Yi (Eee)/Righteousness the Chinese Way	p. 176
Youyi (Yohh-ee) The Friendship Factor in China	p. 177
Zhenchengde (Jun-chuung-duh) The Measure of Your Sincerity	p. 178
Zhengti Guannian (Junng-tee Gwahn-nee-inn) More About the Chinese Way of Thinking Holistically	p. 179
Zhenshi (June-she) Dealing with Circumstantial Truth	p. 180
Zhongcheng (Johng-chung) Loyalty in Today's China	p. 181
Zhong Fu (Chong Foo) The Pursuit of Insight	p. 182
Zhongguo Tong (Johng-gwoh Tung) The Dangers of Being an Expert	p. 183
Zhongjian-Ren (johng-jee-inn-Wren) The Very Helpful Go-Betweens	p. 184
Zou Pengyou (T'su-oh Pung-yoh-ou) You Must Make Friends in China	p. 185
Selected Bibliography	p. 187
Index	p. 189
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