By continuing you agree to eChinacities's Privacy Policy .
Sign up with Google
Sign up with Facebook
Q: Why in the middle of an argument, my Chinese boss laugh (at me)?
I speak fluently Chinese and my direct manager is a Chinese of 50 something years old (a bit too local one)
We were arguing at the phone about some job stuff, and I was very pissed off.
I am never scared to speak my mind even to my bosses, and at that moment, I was also upset, so my tone of voice was a bit high too.
In the middle of the conversation, while I was almost swearing to him, HE STARTED TO LAUGH SO HARD WITH NO APPARENT REASON.
I don't know if it was because of me, but I was like "why the hell you're laughing? I am pissed as hell and you laugh about it?"
Now, seriously, this is something I don't understand about Chinese people.
Why you start laughing in the middle of an argument??
Please, anybody, give me a reason about it...it will be highly appreciated!
He probably didn't know how to respond to the point you made, so he laughed.
Smiling / laughing is a common reaction i have observed here when some locals are put in an awkward spot and can not answer with a rational response.
it is disconcerting, but i usually press on to get the answer i want - or ANY answer
As per my experience.. he was very firm on his point/argument/suggestion/decision and was not agree with you.. and he is ready to go with his deciison
Sorrel is right. Your boss doesn't have an answer for you. But I would take a different approach. I would let it go and wait. For him, it's a face saving thing. I'd imagine he's an MCP sort of person, which means he cannot be less knowledgeable than you. In his mind there are only 2 rules. 1, the boss is always right, 2, if the boss is wrong, refer to rule 1. In all probability, the issue you have with him will crop up again and prove him wrong. Then you can see where he puts his face, at which point I would look at him in his face with the "you are such an idiot" look. I faced such situations many times here. I'd say, be patient and play the game the way they play it. If you go head on, you'll end up being the loser and branded argumentative and such.
Yup, he is just showing he is on top of the situation by laughing. It is highly disturbing during an argument, don't let it distract you. When he is done laughing, just carry on.
Do not communicate over the phone, send emails only to document what is said.
He was laughing because you are wasting your time.
I would say he's probably shocked you're arguing with him. Laughter is sometimes a nervous reaction.
