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Posts: 8

Governor

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Q: addressing foreign colleagues by chinese staff

How do local chinese address foreign colleagues - first name, last name only, or titled last name? 

7 years 2 weeks ago in  General  - Other cities

 
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Shifu

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Why don't you ask the individual how they want to be addressed?

or ask a work colleague.

very simple :

 

"What should i call you?"

or

"How do i address X when i speak to them?"

 

I love how Chines people tie themselves in knots be avoiding asking the obvious questions directly.

Englteachted:

"I love how Chines people tie themselves in knots be avoiding asking the obvious questions directly."

 

A dishonest culture can't communicate directly.

7 years 2 weeks ago
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7 years 2 weeks ago
 
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Emperor

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It all depends on the company culture! I used to work for a 500 employee manufacturing company. It was standard practice in the UK factories & office to refer to everyone, including the managing director, by their first name. When the Chinese factory was opened everyone was encouraged to do the same. 

 

It also depended on the age of the staff. Younger employees found this easy whereas some of the more traditional Chinese staff found it uncomfortable at first. 

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7 years 2 weeks ago
 
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Emperor

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Something beginning with Y,

 

err......sorry, Wai.  surprise

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7 years 2 weeks ago
 
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Emperor

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Might depend on your industry.

 

In the 'education' (cough) sector, everyone is called "<family name> laoshi". Well, except by those 'superior' to them - in which case, it's just whatever name they feel like!

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7 years 2 weeks ago
 
Posts: 1072

Shifu

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Why don't you ask the individual how they want to be addressed?

or ask a work colleague.

very simple :

 

"What should i call you?"

or

"How do i address X when i speak to them?"

 

I love how Chines people tie themselves in knots be avoiding asking the obvious questions directly.

Englteachted:

"I love how Chines people tie themselves in knots be avoiding asking the obvious questions directly."

 

A dishonest culture can't communicate directly.

7 years 2 weeks ago
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7 years 2 weeks ago
 
Posts: 1095

Shifu

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It depends on your industry and how many Foreigners are in your office. If you are the only Foreigner then expect to be referred to as (the) 'laowai', if there are several Foreigners then they may use names to avoid confusion.

Shining_brow:

No no no...

 

All you need is "laowai 1", "Laowai 2", "laowai 3" etc....

7 years 2 weeks ago
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7 years 2 weeks ago
 
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