It's All Chinese to Me: An Overview of Culture & Etiquette in China - Softcover

Ostrowski, Pierre; Penner, Gwen

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0804840792 ISBN 13: 9780804840798

Publisher: Tuttle Publishing, 2009

Synopsis

Picture yourself in China with this fun, graphic-novel inspired introduction to China, its culture and people!

Ready to gain insight into Chinese culture in a fascinating way? This comprehensive introduction to Chinese culture lets you peer into what makes China unique—its people. Firsthand tips, background info, and illustrations give you graphic impressions of the real China, and allow you to get a feel for not only what it's like, but how to survive the cultural differences. You'll find out about:

• Major influences and historical events that guide Chinese behavior
• Key concepts crucial to interacting with Chinese people
• Social idiosyncrasies that surprise most Westerners
• Dealing with culture shock in China
• Peculiarities of Chinese business culture

In It's All Chinese to Me, you'll find the core insights to help demystify Chinese culture for Westerners.

"Offers a balanced view of China's cultural strengths and weaknesses and should be required reading for international travelers. Highly recommended."—Midwest Book Review

"An excellent job of illustrating many of the common issues people may encounter while in China. Bravo!"—Mark Rowswell, AKA Dashan, performer and cultural ambassador

About this title

About the Author

Pierre Ostrowski has spent his time in Asia teaching English, studying languages and traveling as much as possible. He studied Chinese at Providence University in Taichung, Taiwan for four years. In addition, he spent his leisure hours studying Chinese cuisine and perfecting his Ma Pou Doufu recipe. Although he has traveled to over twenty countries in Asia and elsewhere, some of his fondest memories are related to China. He loves the hustle and bustle of Hong Kong. He also enjoys the memory of riding around Beijing's historic "hutong" area on a rattletrap Chinese bicycle. Finally, and as far as he's concerned, there's nothing quite as sublime as sitting on a remote section of The Great Wall of China and watching it snake off into infinity over rolling hills of green…the perfect Chinese moment.

Gwen Penner, a graduate of the University of Manitoba's Bachelor of Fine Arts (Honors) program, is the recipient of numerous awards in painting, drawing and printmaking. She has spent the last several years living in Asia. An inquisitive person, Gwen has a profound understanding of Chinese culture, and her insight into the intricacies of Chinese culture comes through in the many subtle nuances she incorporates into her drawing. She is fond of traveling throughout China and talking to the locals to find out their interpretation of what it means to be Chinese.

From the Inside Flap

Edition details

• Publisher: Tuttle Publishing
• Publication date: 2009
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0804840792
• ISBN 13: 9780804840798
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 192