The Behavior of the Chinese People

Name: The Behavior of the Chinese People
ISBN: 9787551329514

Zeng ShiqiangTaibai Literature and Art Publishing House · ChinaMay 2025

3.9

Word count: 151K words
Chapters: 64
ISBN: 9787551329514

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Summary

Professor Zeng Shiqiang offers warm guidance on how to do things perfectly. Only by seeing through behavioral characteristics can you respond with composure. Understand the true intent behind every word and action; accumulate worldly wisdom bit by bit. Chinese people are relatively reserved; on the surface their behavior appears much the same, but in reality its implications often differ vastly. If you cannot tell them apart, you will find it hard to grasp the other party's true intent—and hard to respond appropriately. Professor Zeng Shiqiang has carefully selected 40 representative phenomena of Chinese-style behavior, using case analysis to describe and explain them through concrete situational examples, helping you understand Chinese behavior, grasp Chinese-style response methods, and adjust your own words and actions in line with Chinese reasoning—so that no matter how unpredictably the other party behaves, you can respond with composure.

Editor's review

Zeng Shiqiang on Chinese Behavior is a penetrating analysis of Chinese patterns of social interaction by Professor Zeng Shiqiang, combining his deep grounding in Chinese classical learning with Western management theory. This book is not a simple etiquette guide or code of conduct; rather, it seeks to reveal the cultural logic and psychological motivations underlying everyday Chinese interaction. With his signature humor and incisive style, Zeng Shiqiang explores how core concepts such as "face," "relationships," and "the doctrine of the mean" operate in concrete situations, and how they shape the distinctive Chinese ways of communicating and making decisions. For readers hoping to understand China's business environment, social interaction, or cultural psychology in depth, this book offers a highly valuable perspective. It goes beyond describing phenomena, guiding readers to reflect on the historical origins and contemporary adaptability of these behavioral patterns. While reading, one can feel both the author's deep identification with indigenous culture and his calm, critical scrutiny—a balance that gives the discussion both warmth and depth.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Chinese and foreign managers seeking a deeper understanding of Chinese social culture and business rules
Researchers and students interested in sociology, cultural psychology, and cross-cultural communication
Professionals in Chinese workplace environments who want to optimize interpersonal strategies and communication skills
General readers interested in the modern transformation of traditional Chinese culture and its expression in everyday behavior

Not a good fit for

Readers looking for a simplified, step-by-step manual of interpersonal techniques
Readers expecting an analysis of Chinese society based entirely on Western individualist theoretical frameworks

Reading tips

Read alongside concrete examples from life or work, reflecting on where the book's views align with or differ from your own experience.
Treat it as a cultural "decoder": when encountering complex social situations, try using the book's analytical framework to understand them.
After reading, discuss with people from different cultural backgrounds to test and deepen your understanding of the book's views.

About the publisher

Taibai Literature and Art Publishing House China · Founded in 1993

Taibai Literature and Art Publishing House is a professional publisher focused on literature and art. Its publishing areas cover classics, foreign literature, essays and miscellaneous writings, modern poetry, philosophical reading, and social novels. Judging from the books in the database, the press introduces foreign literary classics such as John Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath, Dostoevsky's The Insulted and Humiliated, Murasaki Shikibu's The Tale of Genji, and the complete novels of Jane Austen, while also publishing essay works such as Xiang Xing Za Ji: Huang Yongyu Illustrated Edition, modern poetry such as Zha Lie Zhi, and philosophical reading such as On the Art of Choice. Its translators and authors include Hu Zhongchi, Shao Quanlin, Feng Zikai, and Li Jihong, reflecting a publishing profile that combines classic translation with domestic literary creation. Due to limited public information, its complete publishing scope and features require further supplementation.

版权信息
序
前言中国人的管理行为特性
第一章基本的理念
导言
和谐绝非讨好：在圆满中解决问题
看开而非看破：用不争的手段去争
圆通绝非圆滑：将心比心，灵活处事
尊重而不盲从：有所不听地有所听
第二章工作的原则
导言
流汗不流血：循合理途径，求圆满沟通
做事不坐牢：可随机应变，别投机取巧
卖力不卖命：若力所能及，必尽心尽力
争气不争功：要减少过失，不贪图功劳
第三章沟通的现象
导言
“先说先死”：有意见不直接表达
“不说也死”：可少话但不可无话
“说到不死”：表达方式务求合理
行胜于言：行动比语言更有效
第四章沟通的真谛
导言
特色：言辞含含糊糊，表意清清楚楚
界限：有时只说三分，有时知无不言
看话：不只听他说，更要看他怎么说
重理：有制度可依循，用不着说好话
第五章人我的分寸
导言
因人行事：弄清楚对方是谁
合理信人：小心才不会上当
反求诸己：凡事求自己合理
顾虑周到：当心“程咬金”事件
第六章两可的拿捏
导言
明暗相济：错的骂，对的也要骂
持经达变：听的骂，不听的也骂
进退有据：不让不好，让也不好
顺逆适度：有把握就该合理坚持
第七章是非的判断
导言
是非难辨：对没有用，不对不可以
理不易明：这样有理，那样也有理
安人为先：人没有错，责任在制度
衡情论理：在圆满中分出是非曲直
第八章凌乱的秩序
导言
不怕乱：乱中才能看出理来
不死板：凌乱正是情的交流
不明言：含糊中启发有心人
不执着：下属应该适时请示
第九章会商的技巧
导言
会而不议：重视会前沟通
议而不决：不着急做决定
决而不行：允许必要变更
由情入理：保有若干弹性
第十章合理的兼顾
导言
好不好都犯忌：兼顾情势与面子
听不听都可以：兼顾常规与特例
招不招都不行：兼顾人心与效率
罚不罚都有理：兼顾公平与激励
结语 “包装”哲学

FAQ

How is this book different from common books on social savvy?

This book focuses on explaining behavioral patterns from the deep structures of cultural psychology and historical tradition, rather than offering superficial social techniques. It emphasizes understanding "why" rather than merely "how."

Are the book's views applicable to contemporary China, especially the younger generation?

The author's analysis is based on deep cultural structures, which are relatively stable. Although the forms of expression may change with the times, core logic—such as the emphasis on "relationships" and situation-centered thinking—still plays an important role in contemporary society, including among young people; only the modes of expression have become more diverse.

What can non-Chinese readers gain from this book?

The book provides non-Chinese readers with a systematic framework for interpreting behavioral phenomena observed in Chinese society that may confuse them. It helps reduce cross-cultural misunderstanding and build a foundation for more effective communication and cooperation, making it an important introductory read for understanding Chinese business and social culture.

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About the author

Zeng Shiqiang Author · Chinese · 1934–2018

Zeng Shiqiang (1934–2018) was born in Zhangzhou, Fujian, and grew up in Taiwan. He held a PhD in management philosophy from the University of Leicester in the UK and was a professor at Taiwan Chiao Tung University. In 1979 he put forward the idea of "Chinese-style management," and he is known as the "father of Chinese-style management," an influential scholar and author in the Chinese-speaking management world. The library holds 75 of his works, covering management, motivational growth, social culture, and social science. Representative titles include Chinese-Style Management (Complete Edition), The Management Wisdom of the Chinese: Three Volumes, Flexible Interpersonal Relationships, The Great Way of Management, and The Square and Circle of Leadership (Updated Edition). He also appeared on CCTV's Lecture Room, presenting The Mystery of the I Ching and The Inspiration of Hu Xueyan, bringing traditional wisdom to modern management and life topics. His books combine scholarship with accessible writing and are widely read among Chinese readers.