Tips on China's Culture
One quarter of the population on this earth are Chinese. Just in China alone, there are 1.3 billion people. As I am writing, how many more are born? It is impossible to generalize the tactics to deal with different Chinese people. Here I am sharing with you some of my experience from working in the area and being a Chinese myself! Remember: this is my personal experience only. You need to spend time, show respect and open your mind in order to understand anybody, as it is true in all human relationships.
There are so many different aspects involved in understanding Chinese. You can take the approach of ideology, business, philosophy, religion, economy and of course the most trendy "the art of war".
Chinese Tea History
I will vote Chinese tea as the essence of Chinese culture. Although the first systematic book on tea - Lu Yu's Tea Classic- was written on the 8th Century, the history of Chinese people drinking tea can be traced back as early as thousands of years ago. And the pharmacological benefits of tea were documented as early as Han dynasty (206 B.C.-220A.D.).
Drinking tea has become part of the intellectual and artistic life in China. Chinese do not put any extra things to tea. No sugar. No milk. Adding other elements will ruan the original taste of tea. It is pure, simple but with original favour.
There are different ways of categorising tea. I myself take the simple one: green tea (un-fermented), oolong (semi-fermented) and black tea (post-fermented).
The most expensive Chinese tea I have heard of is "Da Hong Pao" (big red robe) from Fujian province. Last May (2005) in Shanghai, the final auction for 20g of Da Hong Pao tea leaves was RMB208.000 (US$26,000), that is to say it was US$1,300 per gram! According to the Chinese media, the reason for its being so expensive is because of its rarity. There are only 6 mother trees on the steep rocks of the mountain WuYi in Fujian province. The mother trees are guarded. Although Da Hong Pao is a type of oolong, because the tea trees are grown from the rocks on the mountain, it is also known as the "rock tea" or "cliff tea".
Drinking tea without anything extra things is the Chinese culture and I think this is the best way to enjoy the tea, not to say, it is the most healthy way!
Tea is a big subject. I am sure you can get more information from the internet. Tea in business is very important. If you know more about tea, you will immediately impress your business partner(s) in China.
Let us sit down and have a cup of tea before we start talking about business!
Join the forum.
More Articles
If you are interested in receiving my tips of China's culture, please register. Or e-mail me if you need more consultancy help.
