Understanding Cultural Differences

I’ve given a couple of presentations recently at work about understanding the cultural differences between East (US / Europe) and West (China / East Asia) which I thought I’d share today. The first is aimed at Chinese to understand Western Culture (with lots of nice pics) while the second is aimed at Westerners to understand Chinese Culture (wordier):

Understanding Western Culture

Understanding Western Cultural from David Gilbert

Yes, that’s a picture of my sister in Africa killing a goat for dinner towards the end – a perfect example of dealing with uncomfortable situations (in this case quite an extreme one)! The presentation itself had lots of talking over the top – if you download the file you can see my notes with more information about the content. It would be great if someone could help me translate this into Chinese.

When Yes Means No (or Yes or Maybe)

Understanding Chinese culture and the implications for doing business there

When Yes Means No (or Yes or Maybe) from David Gilbert

This presentation was a summary from my earlier series “Chinese Culture 101” (which contains lots more detail). Hopefully, this will be published as a revised and expanded paper in the near future.

Summarising the history and culture of two major civilisations was a bit of a challenge but I think I’ve managed the pull it off without any glaring holes. I hope this is useful to people and as ever feedback is welcome.

2009.09.29

China, Culture, How-to

differences, east, life, presentations, west

Originally from the UK, David is designer and wanderer currently based in Kamakura. Prior to this, he lived in China and longs to explore more of this vast and varied land. He started Randomwire in 2003 to chronicle his travels and occasional musings. Feel free to drop him a line.

9 responses

Matt

2011.07.23

I just came across your Powerpoint. Some good notes in there as I think about a presentation about intercultural understanding for some visiting scholars at Rice University. Thanks.

Reply
1. David
  
  2011.07.24
  
  Glad you found it useful Matt – good luck with the presentation!
  
  Reply
Alan

2011.09.09

Thanks David

I appreciate your efforts

As an English teacher preparing a final year high school class for study in the USA I will use the ppt to give some ideas for cultural differences. I like the broad sweep introduction on “how the west was won” i.e. Greece, Rome, Xtianity, etc

Alan

Reply
1. David
  
  2011.09.10
  
  Thanks Alan, glad you found it useful!
  
  Reply
Amee Kay

2011.09.23

Hello I’m a high school student in S. Korea
I’m writing a report about cultural differences and your ppt was very inspiring!! Thank you so much I’m so glad I found your page 😀
Amee Kay

Reply
1. David
  
  2011.09.23
  
  Thanks Amee! Good luck with your report 🙂
  
  Reply
andrea martins

2011.12.01

Hi, We are a China consulting company in Brasil, and we have been requested to help a chiense company to have a better integration into brasilian culture, I would like to receive your ppt to be adapated to our content. Hope you can share with us. I would be glad to share the final work on East /China == west/Brasil.

looking forward to hear from you
Andrea Martins

Reply
Peter Pigram

2012.04.26

Dear David
I am preparing a pptx on the culture of ASEAN countries for a group of Thai business people. I came across your presentations above and was so impressed and wondered if I may be able to use many of your slides in my own presentation? Of course I would attribute them to you and your website! This is a promise!

Would such a request be possible? If so, would it be possible to request that you email me the presentations? or explain to me how to download them?

Kindest regards

Peter

Reply
edwin lam

2014.04.04

Excellent info and very good presentation.

Reply