LEARN CHINESE IN YOUR LOCAL AREA
HELP CUSTOMERS ORDER A MEAL IN CHINESE
HELP CUSTOMERS ORDER A MEAL IN CHINESE
Business Cultural Competence Tips – Babelfish is here!
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Translation technologies have recently reached the place Douglas Adams (1952-2001) imagined in his 1980 classic Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. Adams described the Babelfish as a small yellow alien creature able to absorb brainwaves within the human ear and telepathically emit translations in any language.
Just two weeks ago, Apple Corporation introduced a new generation of in-ear speakers with a live translation feature, supporting English (UK, US), French, German, Portugese, and Spanish so far, with Italian, Japanese, Korean and Chinese (Simplified) coming by the end of the year.
What does this mean for intercultural communication, and how long until we will all have access to this technology in our very own ears?
In an interview this week, Professor Anthony Pimm, Professor in Translation Studies from University of Melbourne says these new technologies are helpful for the direct exchange of ideas, and to figure out what’s going on in intercultural situations. High-risk situations will always need a responsible person to interpret, and to ensure we get things right, and we will need to correct automated output. At a basic level, Pimm maintains, “all language (learners) should be using these technologies, they are great for easy stuff”. https://www.abc.net.au/triplej/programs/hack/translator-airpods-ai-gaza-doctor-palestine-ndis/105796772 listen from 26:00 for Professor Pimm
Google Translate offers so many useful services on our phones. Have you tried the camera feature, or conversation mode to translate speech in real time? You can download Chinese (Simplified) for offline use, no need for a VPN when you’re travelling in China. Check out these Tips & Tricks to help you get started, It can really help our cultural understanding to have these new tools in our pockets.
Let's talk about engaging Chinese customers
Chinese customers prefer to use WeChat Pay and AliPay.
Consider how you can adapt your payment systems, and check out these handy links below:
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Alipay+ reports Chinese tourists made 30% more transactions in Europe in CNY2025 compared to 2024
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UN Tourism reported in 2024 that China has regained its place at the top of high spending consumers
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Nanyang Technological University (Singapore) 2023 survey found 84% of Chinese travellers prefer mobile payments
While Chinese people still use business cards, it is increasingly common to simply add each other on WeChat. Set up your account and give it a try!
这是 我的 名片。
Zhè shì wǒ de míngpiàn.
This is my business card.
加个 微信。
Jiā gè Wēixìn.
8 Tips for Business Cultural Competence
We've curated the latest and top links to awesome sites for understanding Chinese culture.
1. Understand the importance of face 面子 miànzi. Praise in public, criticise in private, and always give credit and honour to the team rather than the individual.
😊 https://www.china-mike.com/chinese-culture/cult-of-face/
2. The old 100 surnames 老百姓 lǎobǎixìng. Surnames come first, and given names are used only with family and close friends. Learn to pronounce the most common.
姓 https://www.thechairmansbao.com/blog/the-ten-most-common-surnames-in-china/
3. Use respectful titles, such as Manager Wang 王经理 Wáng Jīnglǐ. Find out who is the leader in the group, and address them appropriately, adding 心 xīn heart to 你 ni to make 您 nín for 'you'
🧓🏼👵🏼 https://www.edstellar.com/blog/chinese-workplace-culture
4. Build relationships 关系 guānxì before you expect return on investment. Be patient, small talk will be required as you build trust and mutual understanding.
5. Use polite phrases and formal language. Communication should be courteous, pay attention to body language, and note that silence can be meaningful too.
🤫 https://culturalatlas.sbs.com.au/chinese-culture/chinese-culture-communication
6. 你吃饭了吗？Nǐ chīfànle ma? Have you eaten? is a popular Chinese greeting. Although the meaning is casual, it underlines the importance of sharing a meal.
🥢 https://chinesepod.com/blog/2016/04/27/how-to-say-hello-in-chinese/
7. Inviting others to a restaurant and paying the bill is a way to show respect, and gain face. Check for seating arrangements and wait for your host to start before eating.
🏮 https://wildgreatwall.com/why-chinese-people-fight-to-pay-a-bill/
8. The etiquette for 干杯 Gānbēi！Cheers! requires that the rim of your cup should be lower than the person you are toasting to indicate their higher status.
🍻 https://daxueconsulting.com/understand-drinking-culture-china/
CEO Hot Tip
Recently we caught up with Australia China Business Council CEO Gerard Robb to talk about how to make a good impression in Mandarin Chinese
At the start of meetings, try welcoming everyone with:
大家 好
dàjiā hǎo
(big family) good
hello everyone
"With learning comes understanding . . . "
Our programs are designed to suit your workplace, and can include a meal in a local Chinese restaurant, so you can practise your skills straight away.
Start with a two hour introductory course to understand simple expressions, or complete our one day and two day vocational training.
LEARN CHINESE IN YOUR LOCAL AREA
"We work with lots of international students from all around the world and it’s great for us to understand what they need from us, as well as what we need from them.
The course was really practical for giving me the experience and the etiquette that I can use in our business."
Angela, international education marketing, Gold Coast