Chinese and German culture

1.

Chinese and
German
culture
Performed by Ulyana Kuznetsova and
Arina Sharapova

2.

Greetings and
saying goodbye
When German people meet
someone in the formal situation they
always shake hands with their
companion — it doesn’t matter is it
man or woman. If they leave the
meeting where there are many
unfamiliar people, they’ll say
goodbye to master and shake hands
only with him or her. It is enough to
wave to others and say «Tschüß».
As for close friends and relatives,
German people usually start the
greeting hugging them and
snuggling their cheeks to each other.
Generally, it happens without any
kisses because German people are
known as people who don’t like
express their feelings in public.

3.

Personal space
German people very appreciate
other people’s personal space so
they will never touch their
companion without his or her
agreement. In Germany it is
important and valuable to stay the
distance while you’re talking to
someone. Of course, there are
some exceptions — especially it is
about friends and family members
because they are close people for
them. It is a true that German
people don’t like to show their
feelings in public but they can
relax in the company with their
close friends or family members.

4.

Silence
As for silence, it doesn’t have any
special meanings for German
people. For example, if they don’t
answer their companion’s question
it usually means that they express
their disagreement or disapproval
or they don’t enjoy so much this
topic of conversation and they
want to change it. The sudden
silence in the middle of the
dialogue also means that they end
it and they will not continue talking
to this person.

5.

Body language
Chinese culture has a lot of body language. I will tell and
show some of them.
When they are greeting or goodbye, expressing
gratitude, the palm of one hand is placed on the back of
the palm of the other hand, forming a “cup” at chest level.
It is customary to give or take something from a person
(a business card, a book, etc.) with both hands.
A Chinese will begin a story about himself or his
participation in something by touching his nose or face,
while a European would rather point his palm to the heart
area. However, touching someone's nose is considered
offensive.
The raised little finger indicates that the Chinese wants to
humiliate the interlocutor. This is how he expresses his
disrespect and considers his interlocutor not worthy of
attention.
A finger near the cheek or eyebrow means doubt or
mistrust.
Since the Chinese are considered introverts, it is easier
for them to use body language.

6.

Eye contact
Eyes and eye expressions have
personal meaning in Chinese
culture. The phrase "facial
expression" literally means "spirit
of the eyes" in Chinese. During
communication, the Chinese avoid
looking into the eyes of the
interlocutor and prefer to keep a
face without emotions. Direct eye
contact is considered rude and is
often seen as a sign of hostility
and threat.

7.

Thanks for
attention