chinese

To help us relax there are different types of massage treatments that can be used. These various treatments can be divided into two schools of treatment. You will find Western based massage treatments and Eastern massage treatments. The Chinese massage is just one example of the different Eastern massages.

In the Chinese massage there are different variations that will help with relaxing the tense muscles of the body. Some of these Chinese massage techniques also have other healing benefits for the body. In all of the Chinese massages the person who is having the massage will need to wear loose clothing.

Chinese massages are used to help with the healing of different medical complaints that can afflict people. The different branches of Chinese massage therapy as it is known are designed to help with the healing process.

The first of the Chinese massage techniques is that of Amno. This is a press and rub technique that is used to rejuvenate your health. It is also used to maintain the body in top physical condition. The next technique is that of Tuina.

In Tuina which is a push and grab technique, internal disorders and muscle problems are treated via this massage. This Chinese massage method is also used for treat injuries and joint pains. For babies the Chinese have a massage treatment that works quite well.

This Chinese massage is called Infant Tuina. The pressure points that are used for this massage are different than the ones that are widely used. As a home remedy type of Chinese massage you will find Dian Xue. This particular Chinese massage is used by acupuncturists when they encounter situations where they can’t use the acupuncture needles.

Dian Xue is known to be a point and press technique in Chinese massages. The final part of the Chinese massage techniques is that of Wai Qi Liao Fa. This massage technique is used only after the trainee to Chinese massage therapy has studied for years with a Qigong master.

In the Wai Qi Liao Fa Chinese massage technique the healing is accomplished by direct contact with the life energy that is called Qi. All of these Chinese massage therapies are used to treat various conditions in the body that are the result of blocked Qi.

In the practice of Chinese massage the idea that the Qi and the body’s mental and physical conditions are linked. As it is believed that the body needs to be healed on three different levels you should see a trained Chinese massage therapist.

With a Chinese massage therapist you can gain the best benefits to your health as a result of having a Chinese massage. The next time that you find yourself in some pain as part of your day to day work you might want to consult with a Chinese masseuse to have a Chinese massage worked on your aching body.

Now holds a popular place among the entire population of the world. You can find a Chinese restaurant in every major city and in many smaller areas of the world as well. Why is Chinese food so popular? Is Chinese food healthy? What is the history of Chinese food?

The History of Chinese Food
The history of Chinese food1 is an interesting one. Unlike many cultures the Chinese believe that the preparation of food is an art and not simply a craft. The art of cooking Chinese food can include dishes and food preparation techniques which are difficult to develop and may require the expertise of a chef with lots of experience. One such technique is noodle pulling (scroll down to the bottom of the page to learn more about this technique). Noodle pulling requires skill and lots of practice and results in a delicious noodle dish. This article will refer to noodle pulling later on, but for now, let’s go back to the history of Chinese food.

Chinese food and the way it is prepared is very much influenced by the two major philosophies, which influence the entire Chinese culture. These dominant philosophies are Confucianism and Taoism. Both have these philosophies have influenced the way that the Chinese people cook and the way that they enjoy their food..

Confucianism and Chinese Cuisine
Confucius was the man behind the Confucianism beliefs. Among many other standards Confucius established standards for proper table etiquette and for the appearance and taste of Chinese food. One of the standards set by Confucius (you might have noticed this at an authentic Chinese restaurant) is that food must be cut into small bite size pieces before serving the dish. This is a custom that is definitely unique to the Chinese culture.

Knives at the dinner table are also considered to be a sign of very poor taste by those who embrace Confucianism beliefs. The standards of quality and taste that Confucius recommended required the perfect blend of ingredients, herbs and condiments--a blend which would result in the perfect combination of flavor. Confucius also emphasized the importance of the texture and color of a dish, and taught that food must be prepared and eaten with harmony. Interestingly enough, Confucius was also of the opinion that an excellent cook must first make an excellent matchmaker.

Taoism and Chinese Cuisine
Those who follow the Taoism beliefs focus on the health benefits of particular foods vs. the presentation of the same. Taoists search for foods that will increase their health and longevity. They search for foods that have healing powers. Many times these benefits were often referred to as ‘life giving powers’. For instance, the Chinese found that ginger, which can be considered to be a garnish or a condiment was found to be a remedy for upset stomachs or a remedy for colds.

Is Chinese Food Healthy?
Chinese food, when authentic is probably the healthiest food in the world. Some restaurants, which are not authentic, prepare their menu with highly saturated fats or with meats that contain unhealthy amounts of animal fat. These Chinese restaurants are not recommended and they are both neither authentic nor healthy.

Good Chinese food however, is prepared and cooked with poly-unsaturated oils. Authentic Chinese food does not require the use of milk-fat ingredients such as cream, butter or cheese. Meat is used, but not in abundance, which makes it easy for those who love authentic Chinese food to avoid high levels of animal fat. Many believe that authentic Chinese food is really the ideal diet.

Chinese Restaurants in Every Part of the Nation
Whether it is in a Tennessee Chinese Restaurant to a New York Chinese restaurant you are going to find culinary dishes that are both healthy and delicious. Savor the flavor with Chinese f

Chinese herbs can be counted in their hundreds of millions. Every pharmacy in China is stacked with boxes inside which you can find the potions that make up traditional nutritional supplementation. Below are just a few of the most commonly known in the West:

Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera is a short-stemmed succulent plant which belongs to Lily family. More than 200 biologically active elements are presented in aloe vera. They include minerals, polysaccharides, proteins and amino acids, biological stimulators and vitamins. The extracts of aloe vera are used to stimulate the immune system, decreases the allergy symptoms and respiratory infections. Taken as a nutritional supplement(http://www.mitamins.com/), Aloe vera juice is effective in enhancing digestive functions, restores the balance of the stomach acids. As a gel, it is effectively used in treating athlete's foot, any forms of burns, bruises, muscular pains, varicose veins, herpes, eczema, pimples, diaper rash, wounds and cuts, hair loss, allergies, insect bites, furuncles, scleroderma, psoriasis and acne; it also acts as antifungal. But the major use of the aloe vera gel is in wounds healing therapies. Not just vitamins(http://www.mitamins.com/) can do that: natural plants can behave like vitamins too.

Ginger

The plant is valued for its root, thick knotted underground stem of a beige color. Depending on the variety, the root can also be red or white. One of them, gingerol, responsible for the root's distinctive flavor, is also the chemical that can prevent the growth of human colorectal cancer cells and also kill ovarian cancer cells. Ginger's hot action also promotes a healthy sweating, being so useful during the colds and flues and providing general detoxification. Ginger's anti-inflammatory action is a remedy for the people suffering from rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis. Aside from being taken as a nutritional supplement and vitamin complement(http://www.mitamins.com/), one can find ginger as a component in a variety of food and herbal preparations, from ginger bread to ginger sticks and ginger ale, often even give to children to calm stomach disorders.

If you are up on the world economy, then you will know that China is the fastest growing economy in the world. In fact, the Chinese language is becoming so commonly used in business, the demand for resources teaching the Chinese language has more than tripled in the last half decade.

Even online, our communications to pen pals exist in Asian countries and the need to break the language barrier stronger than ever. In social-patterns, we have to adopt cultural sensitivities to those merging into Americanism. By learning Chinese we, with or without consciously knowing, have created more doors of opportunity all the way around.

Why learn Chinese? Because today's world almost insists on it. With our increasing love for the Chinese culture, like the martial arts, or media (Who can forget Jacki Chan), or even Chinese foodwe are quickly merging cultures together today then we ever did in past. Great inspirations have come out of the eastern ways of life, and in a hungry way to consume them, and learn all about them, the need to learn Chinese has surfaced.

The Chinese culture itself, represents a solidarity in balance, peacefulness, and serenity. In the western world, the fast paced, time pressed crunches have taken their toll, and now we actively seek solace from other cultures, who we think, hold the key. It is through understanding, learning and appreciation of other cultures in which we often find what we seek.

If I learn Chinese, I will get a better job, a "worldly" careermy employer will find me indispensable and reward me with travel and great expense account. I will return to take his job, giving me a bigger expense account. If I learn Chinese, I could be an emerging artist in ancient Chinese calligraphy, brush stroking my way to a higher spiritual calling, even if only a tattoo artist, my work would live on forever.

There are dozens of hints and helpful advice on how to learn more quickly, how to affect memorization abilities, and where to go for more free Chinese lessons. On many of these web sites are links, some worthy and some leading to more links, which may be of use in searching out free Chinese lessons.

If time is also a factor, consider using your MP3 player or CD burner to download lessons you can take on the go. This way to study Chinese is intensely popular and as popularity grows, so does the sites catering to programs most used. Also, available for free is access to a Chinese dictionary, to be used as a bookmark, or in some cases a download. Other fun places to explore Chinese for free are the blogs created for improving your skills. Then there is Chinese music and live broadcasts daily to entertain and keep familiarizing you with the language.

If I learn Chinese, I would make it benefit all, so not only would the world economy be merging as expected, but so would the hearts. Because, If I learned Chinese, I would want for it to mean more than just a command of a second language, I would want to use it as a tool for connecting us all together other than just economy, or a passing by of another. In today's world, if I learn ChineseI could stop the hurry, if only to say, "hello".

In this world full of innovations as well as new things created out of inspiration from old designs and symbols, it is not unusual for us to see Che Guevarra on bags and shirts, swastika on bags and cups, as well as other ancient and historical designs. Even Chinese beliefs and ancient symbols are in the market today and are becoming bases for some of the most purchased fashion accessories.

I am talking about different kinds of jewelries inspired by Chinese symbols and beliefs. For instance, there is a silver bangle with a number 8 design on it; this number 8 design was inspired by the Chinese belief. According to tradition, 8 means good luck. Aside from a bangle, there is also a silver ring that has a number 8 design on it, which was also inspired by the same Chinese belief. Furthermore, a silver 18" necklace chain, which is now available, also entices good luck; it has an enameled sterling silver pendant called the 'Chinese Knot.' Another good luck charm is the sterling silver ring that has an "Imperial Seal" design, which was inspired by the seal of the Qing's emperor.

All of the aforementioned Chinese-inspired jewelries are made out of pure silver and have free and adjustable sizes, but for quite expensive prices. These accessories are also greatly influenced by Chinese beliefs, specifically feng shui. I have always been intrigued and curious about the Chinese feng shui. The popularity of feng shui made it a common household name. Well, I have decided to get straight to this matter in the heart of the feng shui land -- China. Beginning with the right pronunciation of Feng Shui ('fung shway') is a good start. On the other hand, knowing its literal meaning brings some more awareness on this topic: feng means wind, while shui means water.

The application of feng shui comes in the balance of the above-mentioned elements. The Chinese believe that feng shui creates prosperity, abundance, and harmony in personal, business, and financial aspects. This traditional Chinese practice used to be the secret of the Chinese royal families in bringing health and wealth to their clans. Even the Forbidden City of Beijing was constructed in accordance to the feng shui principles. Well, I guess the Chinese really took this belief seriously.

Now, I know why even Hollywood stars wear Chinese accessories such as beads and the like. With enough knowledge on jewelry beliefs and feng shui, I could try on accessories and be more wary of surroundings so that I have more luck, which I would be more than willing to accept.

Will your negotiation skills back home equip you for negotiating in China? Well they're important, but they're not quite enough. You'll also need a good grasp of the cultural differences or you'll be mystified by unexpected responses and they'll run circles around you. So here are a few key principles for negotiating in the land of the dragon.

1. Be Objective

Many stories about China are exaggerated, one way or the other. We've heard of fabulous deals, providing goods and services at a fraction of local costs. We've heard of toxic Chinese products and business tycoons who will cheat you at the drop of a hat. But China is neither black nor white, and a successful business person needs to strip away the political agendas that get in the way of sound business decisions.

We should also be wary of snap judgments by people who bail out impatiently with accusations of rampant deception and contracts never honoured. Certainly we should heed all warnings of danger, and be constantly on our guard. But we must seek a realistic view, neither wearing rose-coloured glasses nor seeing treachery in every misunderstanding.

It's important to be realistic regarding issues of honesty. As in any country, there is no shortage of scoundrels in China. Neither is there a shortage of good and respectable citizens at all levels striving to meet high standards. Nothing unusual about that. But cultural differences make it easy to misinterpret strategic manoeuvres on their part. We may see it as outright deception when – in their own view of proper behaviour – they are acting honourably but cleverly. And they may see our own clever manoeuvres as questionable behaviour within their ethical system. The point is not to judge each other and kill the deal, but to find that common ground which produces a good contract for both parties. That requires us to find a delicate balance between giving our opponents the benefit of the doubt when we fail to fathom the purpose of their actions, and avoiding the risk that someone will take advantage of our trust.

We need to be careful about old advice. Any economy, in the years before it gets properly regulated, has a lot of leeway, and plenty of opportunities for unscrupulous dealers to rip you off. So consultants used to give sound advice to clients – watch out for treachery and dishonesty. Serious caution is still good advice, but times are changing at an amazing pace. The Chinese have aspirations of becoming world economic leaders, and they fully recognize the need for strict professionalism and integrity to meet their goals. It's not much of a stretch, since there's no lack of professional pride in Chinese history. You'll find that your major cautionary task in this century, apart from normal vigilance, is to identify the modern high-quality firms and separate them from the rogue elements. At the same time, the Chinese economy is still in flux, and there are still enough bandits out there to warrant serious caution.

2. Ease In Carefully

Think you can leap in, sign a great deal, and move on? Not likely. You need to get the feel of negotiating in China. You have to get to know your partners, to determine who can be trusted and where you need to be careful. You need to make your first mistakes on low-value and low-priority deals. This can be good advice in any case, but it's especially important if you don't have much experience in the treacherous waters of inter-cultural negotiations. Try out a couple of low-risk transactions before plunging into the deep end.

You need to rein in your western tendency to jump in, cut to the chase, and score a deal cleanly and quickly. The Chinese don't quite work that way. Nonetheless, they've learned how to deal with we cowboys with money to burn, barging in to do serious business on the spot. We'll get the runaround, as befitting someone who isn't serious enough to develop a trusting relationship first. In their view – some barbarian who won't take the time to build relationships deserves to be outfoxed.

At the same time, this isn't universally the case. If you're dealing in Beijing or Shanghai or any other highly developed centre, they're more familiar with western styles of business. In fact, they're quite sophisticated. They're a little more willing to play the game your way, and make some compromises to western impatience in order to move the process along efficiently. In the less developed regions, they're often a little more steeped in traditional Chinese ways. But they both know how to deal with your eagerness and get what they want. In either case, learn the culture first, and take your time.

3. Work with the Right People

Here's where a good knowledge of Chinese relationship structures is important. Certain people are authorized to make a deal, while others are only intermediaries – and you may not find them in familiar positions. In your first set of meetings, perhaps even for a long time, you may be dealing only with the intermediaries. They won't tell you that at the start, and you'll be frustrated when you find out that nobody has the authority to cut a deal. This may be offensive in the west, but it's proper protocol in the east. You'll probably be escorted to several meetings and banquets, and the key officials will be present at some of them, but you won't really know who's who until late in the game. This is where you need your diplomatic skills, to show your respect for Chinese traditional ways at the same time as you badger them to get the proper authorities at the table.

Actually, the intermediaries do have considerable importance. They're there to do the grunt work of finding out what's possible, and to iron out the initial proposals, so that their superiors need only deal with the final decisions. So treat them with respect, or you'll never get to see the key players. At the same time, be careful to determine if they really are properly connected to do the job. You may end up with some peripheral agent – who cites great experience in dealing with western business, but who really has little stature – because they want to feel you out before they have to deal with you directly. Beware if they send you a westerner who is really little more than an English teacher with grand aspirations. They don't trust him any more than you do, but he'll keep you at bay until they're ready to move.

Check references, making sure they're all in the same industry. Make the call to confirm. Be a detective, with an interpreter if necessary. Ask about track record. Did they meet deadlines? Did they understand the meaning of a completed job? In any environment of economic development, expect incompetence to be common, and search for the competent ones. Incompetence and inexperience are just as much trouble as dishonesty. Avoid firms dealing with westerners for the first time – they'll be out to establish their cleverness by taking you for a ride. Your best bet is a western-invested company with western executives at the highest levels. Check out everything.

4. Seek Clarity

A good western negotiator, with any sense of strategy, will not offer his opponent a clear picture of his ultimate goals or what compromises he will accept. Chinese intermediaries have an even greater incentive to disguise their specific objectives and, in fact, to keep shifting them as the negotiation proceeds. They don't feel obligated to adhere to their proposals from session to session, since they're not the deciders. They don't think it's beneficial for either party if they stick rigidly to some "deal" they made with you yesterday. That would be viewed as irresponsible, since only the higher authority is entitled to make final decisions. They don't delegate authority as readily as we do. Don't expect to sign off some clause and then move on to the next, secure that the clause has been finalized, as you would back home. It doesn't work that way. Intermediate deals are flexible, and can be sacrificed unilaterally in the end game. Since everything is tentative until the final act, they may be quite evasive in the early stages. Or they may overstate a verbal agreement due to difficulties in understanding our language and our culture. So during these intermediate stages, you may have to fight tooth and nail for clarity.

But don't just treat it as fighting the culture, or trying to educate them in the straightforward ways of the west. The Chinese are indirect and group-oriented in ways that serve them well, even in business. They are rooted in a pre-market family-oriented culture, in which social harmony is maintained through a gentle style of communication – where individuals are not assaulted too directly with brutal facts. It's a communication style that comes into sharp conflict with our blunt and unfeeling western directness. The Chinese view their communication style as the essence of civilization, as distinct from us barbarians, and they will not abandon it easily. So don't just dismiss them – "The Chinese don't do clarity". Learn the language of indirect communication, and you will elicit much greater cooperation in finding what you need to know. Learn the trick of assertive indirectness.

5. Bargain Strategically

To begin with, get control of the agenda. They may use their position as host to load you down with meetings and banquets, especially if they are old school – though in the modern centres they're more inclined to get straight down to business. Still, if you're spending the money, you're in charge. Determine if the meeting or banquet is important, if the officials you're meeting are really relevant to the discussion, or whether they are just window dressing to show off their connections and keep you tied to their agenda. You have to find a balance between receiving their hospitality graciously and getting down to business. Overall it's a polite power struggle right from the start, and you need to make it clear you want to negotiate the agenda. At the same time, remember that they want to deal with you and keep you away from their competitors, so leave the exit door open a little in case they're too inflexible. If you come in wide-eyed about making a China deal, you'll end up playing their game. Have a Plan B – an alternate source of supply will boost your confidence enormously.

Many western advisors will tell you to expect deception in China, but it's often just a different vision of what's legitimate and honourable in the competitive arena. It's only deception if the other party expects something different. That doesn't help you much. If you don't know the culture well, it's going to be deceptive in your eyes. So it's safer to follow the rule: expect deception. But don't express disrespect unless you catch them blatantly cheating or lying – and give them the benefit of the moral doubt if they're just backtracking because they got into trouble. It's a delicate game. Protect yourself without being offensive.

It's important not to automatically accept any claims at face value, without good reason. Are they really an old established company with a healthy market valuation, a strong market share, exclusive rights and patents, all the proper certifications, and plenty of orders from Europe? Better check these things out, since their definitions may be different from yours. Is the new plant they're preparing to build really going to bring dramatic improvement in quality and costs? You're putting up the money, so you should be allowed to see the books, though sometimes their claims of inadequate bookkeeping may be valid. You may need help here, since legitimate Chinese accounting practices are different from ours, and in some ways hard to fathom. And finally, don't accept the claim that they have the powerful connections that will make everything work out just fine in the end, because you have no way whatsoever of checking that out. Perhaps at this point they will throw the trust argument at you, claiming that your doubts are undermining a valued relationship. Don't fall for it.

If you're not picky, you'll leave holes they can drive a truck through. "Best effort" sales agreements are not enough. Get the details on their marketing network. Cash in advance is dangerous, no matter how much they throw the trust argument at you. Present it as a strict matter of policy, and point out safer payment vehicles which are readily available. If they can't get a bank to cooperate on a letter of credit, run for the hills. If you're a buyer, insist on a test order. They will talk about not doing test orders because they're building long-term relationships, but don't buy that argument. Chinese firms will do test orders when pressed. Look behind the facade to see if there's real brick and mortar and infrastructure in place. And remember that, if a firm is not very cooperative before the money has been transferred, they'll probably be even less cooperative afterwards. So get everything you can firmed up in advance, even if it threatens to sour the deal. The politeness and respect that you demonstrated from the beginning of the process will serve you well when you have to hold the line at the end.

Even when you reach an agreement, you'll find that many more things than you thought were unclear, or interpreted differently. Be prepared to renegotiate often, and get their agreement on a renegotiation process before you sign.

6. Learn the Price Game

In a country where they bargain for apples on the street, they're not shy about bargaining, and they bargain hard. Don't be put off by an outrageous initial price. It's all part of the game. Whether or not they move to a reasonable price in short order is a clear indication of whether or not they're ready to bargain seriously. Let the opening moves play out. With apples on the street, some will overcharge a foreigner just on principle, as well as to defend their national pride and to save face. So keep a clear eye on your own range of acceptable prices, and stick to it rigorously.

If you're putting up the money, don't let them talk you into quoting the first price. The first move should be theirs, though exceptions may be allowed if you already have a good relationship with them through past dealings. Present it as your firm's policy, and refer to proper procedures. It's a game of polite assertiveness, and this may be the opening power struggle. Insist they provide figures to back up their price, and eventually settle for just a first price offer. But keep up the demand for backup data as the price discussion progresses. Don't let them win this opening round, or they'll have the upper hand.

Be prepared to deal with an outrageous price, which will be especially outrageous if they've lost the battle over the first offer. Match an outrageous price with a fairly-outrageous counter, because they may only inch their way down and you need room to manoeuvre. Be prepared to walk if their moves are only tokens. Do your homework, and know the market, so that you can confidently hold the line until they bring it into the ballpark. Then the real bargaining begins.

Don't accept a high price on a promise that they'll lower the price in the near future,

"when we get the new technology online",
"when we move to the new facility",
"when we develop the new product",
"when we hire the new engineer",
"when we get approval from the government',
"when we finish the merger".

Maybe they're sincere. But maybe they're wishful thinking. Hold out for the price you need. Cut them off quickly. "Not a chance. We don't do speculation. We need to work with real prices right off the bat."

And you may have to leave your fancy management theory behind. It's quite fashionable in the west to seek win-win solutions. But China's a developing country, not long out of poverty, in a brutal marketplace. They're quite accustomed to win-lose, and they're quite happy to win. But again, you'll find them somewhat more refined in the major centres.

7. Pay Attention to the Non-price Issues

Many traders will tell you that Chinese are motivated by price alone. They will attach little importance to issues of quality or delivery or service, assuming these are secondary issues that can be put aside. That view of Chinese negotiators is someone outdated. A narrow price orientation is not as prevalent as it used to be, but you will still run into it often enough, and you may need to insist that the price is contingent on the whole package. Insist that the price agreement will be void if certain conditions are not met. Price cannot be negotiated in isolation. Some may try to brush that off, figuring that you won't push it. Push it. Be picky. Insist on engineering specs on the useful life of the product. Have them explain their quality control procedures, and their warrantee policy. Get a precise definition of how satisfactory performance is specified, and what constitutes a completed project.

8. Understand Networking and Contracts

This is a tough one. Networking isn't the same in China. It's a much deeper and more complex phenomenon, with implications that we westerners cannot easily fathom. The potential for misunderstanding is enormous.

It can be simplied a little. Think again of a pre-market society. How would a pre-market society organize themselves without benefit of the marketplace? They organize themselves into trusted circles of family and friends, and they exchange favours. The rules are strict – if someone offers you a favour, you owe an equal favour in return. These circles overlap and interconnect into complex networks. Over time some of these circles become more important than others, and if you find yourself linked into an important circle, you have "connections". The Chinese call it "guanxi" (pronounced gwan-shee), and there are two main rules as far as you're concerned. One, any favour or gift is a debt which must be repaid in full measure, or more if the giver belongs to a more important circle. And two, people with the right guanxi can accomplish anything for you, but it won't be free. And it's not guaranteed. Do him a favour and he will owe you something. But don't count on him to spend his guanxi capital to repay you.

Connected with that is an attitude toward contracts. The guanxi circle is a relationship of trust among colleagues. To overstate the argument a little – it's a western aberration to demand that all relationships be reduced to an impersonal rats-nest of contracts, as if no one can be trusted. For civilized people, your word is your bond. While in the modern Chinese business centres they've come to appreciate the value of a contract, and will even initiate it, there are still some who will try to convince you to make a commitment (and transfer your money) without one. They may play the trust card, so know how to deal with it.

Recognize that a westerner like you will never become a full member of any Chinese guanxi circle. You will always be an outsider, and a second-class citizen, with no rights and no recourse. "My guanxi is your guanxi – don't worry, I can get it for you" is not in the slightest degree a commitment you can take to the bank. You need it explicitly detailed in black and white, no matter how much that may brand you as a western barbarian. But I hasten to repeat that, the more progressive Chinese managers are on the same page as you and I, fully appreciating the need for a water-tight contract. Those are the ones you should look for. But if you're in a more traditional centre, you may have to fight for it.

9. Understand Indirectness and Face

China is a relationship based society, developed long before the market turned our European ancestors into disjointed individuals competing with each other in the marketplace. Again to overstate for the sake of argument – we have no need for relationships. Market contracts regulate our lives and how we interact with each other. But for the Chinese, relationships are everything.

So how have the Chinese kept it all functioning smoothly? We have civil order based on a system of contract law to keep us in line. How have they kept people in line for thousands of years without that? They have established a mature and stable hierarchy of status relationships, and they maintain certain strict norms of behaviour. Chief amongst these behavioral norms, essential for maintaining order in a relationship-based society, are the following two. First, never provoke a confrontation by issuing direct challenges to others – which results in the famous Chinese indirectness. Second, never undermine someone's status in society by causing them to lose face. Understand how these rules lies at the root of the Chinese psyche, if you want to understand their reaction to our western brutishness.

So don't wonder why sometimes they seem to be running around in circles, and never seeming to get to the point. Bluntness is insensitive and uncivilized. A way must be found to press the point gently. You're just not understanding the language of indirectness. And don't wonder why they seem so concerned about losing face. Humiliating others is insensitive and uncivilized. Actually they are insensitive and uncivilized, when you come to think of it. In the midst of a frustrating negotiation session, take a moment to look at it from their point of view. Then look for a way out of the impasse which will not put them on the defensive, and which will grant them face. In fact, face-giving is the key to success. Find ways to make them happy, and they'll make you happy.

10. Play the Game, but Cleanly

China has a sophisticated set of laws. She's come into the market only recently, but she's done a remarkable job of setting up a legal framework for commerce in such a short time. However, there's a Chinese way of doing everything, reflected in those laws and regulations, and you would do well to learn to play the game. At the same time, China still has a long way to go, and not everything is fully covered by laws and procedures. There's a lot of leeway everywhere, in the gap between the socialist regulation of society and the law of the market.

Corruption ranges from black to shades of grey. There are many kinds of activities which anyone, east or west, would call corruption. And China's come a long way in routing out real corruption in the major centres. At the same time, there are many activities which fall into a grey area – they're not strictly illegal but not quite legitimate. Or the paperwork is lax, and nobody really knows what's going on. How do we deal with those?

It's often not so simple. The guanxi system runs by different rules, and it may be unclear what's legitimate and what's not – in their terms. What do we do when something is perfectly legitimate and honourable in Chinese eyes, but outright corruption in ours? After all, exchanging money for various considerations among in-groups is the essence of sound relationship economics, but we tend to view it in a market context as unethical. Do we call it corruption? Here's where we have to find a balance. Don't insult your adversaries by denouncing every favour that facilitates a transaction. But don't agree to anything illegal or clearly unethical. You'll have lot's of company. In modern Chinese society, there is a strong sentiment for rooting out corruption.

It's hard to know the prevalence of corruption. The government is probably correct to say that their anti-corruption campaigns have been effective, and there's a critical mass of influential people who pride themselves on clean practice. In that view, widespread corruption is old news, and you may well get caught. But there are also people in many places who still credibly claim they can't do a day's business without passing the red envelope under the table, and you just have to play along if you want to get anywhere.

So you'll have to play it by ear. Your general stance should be that you refuse to pay bribes. You run a clean ship with a clear set of transparent practices, and you want to keep it that way. At the same time, you may feel some need to look the other way when discretion dictates. But if you find yourself in a situation where bribes and kickbacks are the only game in town, you'll have to make your own decision whether to hold your nose or bail out.

11. Do Your Due Diligence

Any economy like China, rapidly pulling out of underdevelopment, is going to be a contradiction containing many advanced firms with high standards alongside a significant still-backwards sector. So your primary due-diligence task is to sort them out. If you deal with a firm which is still trying to remain back in the lawless days, not only will you be propping up regressive forces, but you'll get ripped off. And you may get in trouble with the authorities. In recent years, Chinese authorities have been pretty effective in using enhanced enforcement and professional peer pressure to shift the centre of gravity toward ethical practices in the major centres. If you're working in the less developed areas, you'd better be on your guard.

In either case, you need to check their references rigorously. Conditions vary in China, and that dictates process. As a still-developing country, you can still expect to find many firms functioning at low levels with low standards. The days of poor quality, deadlines not honoured, work not finished, inappropriate substitutions, financial rip-offs, etc. are still alive in some quarters. It's true enough that the famous Chinese national pride is impelling them to develop higher standards and join the world community of top-level professionalism. So don't underestimate them, or the rapidity of their progress. Just don't get caught with a dud.

Of course there is the matter of the language and culture gap, which is why you need to work with knowledgeable consultants. But these consultants themselves will vary in quality, so there's the first item for strict reference checking. Who have they worked for? Contact past clients and ask how satisfied they've been. These are probably people who speak English, so you can readily get a useful reference. Stick to professional references, not just friends and colleagues, and look for a track record of successful international deals.

When checking out Chinese firms, specialize in naive questions and keep asking until you're satisfied. Don't let them deflect you with embarrassment. There's no such thing as a stupid question, and there's no shame in questioning repeatedly until you understand. Persistence may be effective in breaking through a runaround, and it's helpful if you know how to use indirect language in a passive-aggressive manner. But you'll do best when you can deal with the higher-quality firms that will be straight with you and won't give you the runaround in the first place.

Got this all down? Done your homework? You're ready to meet. Good luck.

You are no doubt familiar with the harmonizing symbol of yin and yang: the mystical circle encasing rolling waves of black and white. Within the black wave rides a white dot, and conversely, a black dot is seen in the white wave. This ancient Chinese symbol has become popular as East opens up to West, and can be seen on billboards, signs, T-shirts, and jewelry around the world. Most know its connection to the idea of yin and yang, but few know the origin of yin and yang, or anything more of Taoist thought.

Taoism, as both philosophy and religion, was founded 2500 years ago in China, by Lao Tzu. According to legend, Lao Tzu (born Li Erh) worked in the imperial capital as a record keeper. At 160 years of age he became disgusted with society and vowed to leave. As he approached the gate to the city, Guan Yin Zi, the keeper of the pass, begged him to write his teachings before he left. This Lao Tzu agreed to do, and in one night he wrote the Tao Te Ching, forming the basis of Taoism. Leaving his writing behind him, Lao Tzu was never seen again.

The Tao Te Ching is one of the most infuential books in Chinese literature, and is among the top three books translated into English, along with the Bible and the Bhagavad Ghita. It is composed of 5,000 characters divided into 81 chapters, originally written on strips of bamboo tied together with string. In these writings, Lao Tzu described the Tao: a flow which was unknowable in essence, but observable in manifestations. To find true peace, one must develop a mystical relationship with the Tao.

The Tao, literally translated "The Way," exists in both a philosophical and religious form. Both paths teach of yin and yang, or the opposing forces by which the universe is governed. Yin is negative, female, dark, and earthly; while yang is the corresponding qualities of positive, male, light, and heavenly. Neither is better than the other; just as neither can exist without the other. (It might be noted that while there are some contradictions within the philosophical and religious forms of Taoism, one might consider them manifestations of yin and yang, with the pure philosophy being the reflective yin side of Taoism, and the religion being the active yang.)

Within the Tao Te Ching is a call to passive action, or wu-wei, for in doing nothing all is accomplished. According to the principles of wu-wei one should not defy, confront, nor resist. Experience teaches that ambition, excessive desire, and pride always produce the opposite of what is expected. Therefore it is better to live like birds, who use currents of air to support them as they glide, rather than fight the drafts. In like manner, philosophical Taoists seek to find their own niche in the scheme of things.

Religious Taoism departs slightly from this path of inaction. Approximately 200 years after the death of Lao Tzu, an encyclopedic Taoist scholar by the name of Ko Hung taught that instead of practicing pure inaction, one could force open the path of long life and immortality through one's own acts. He believed that just as the interaction of the five elements (earth, wood, metal, fire, and water) produced a balanced universe, so could they be used to achieve physical immortality. This resulted in the practice of herbal medicines, rituals, magic potions, physical exercises, and dietary practices. Long life and good health were viewed as a reward for good moral conduct, as disease, death and suffering were evidence of the contrary.

Within China today there are 25,000 Taoist monks and nuns at over 1,500 temples. It is impossible to report the number of adherents to the faith, as Taoism is often intertwined with Buddhism and traditional folk religions. There is no doubt that the effects of Taoism can be felt around the world today.

To help us relax there are different types of massage treatments that can be used. These various treatments can be divided into two schools of treatment. You will find Western based massage treatments and Eastern massage treatments. The Chinese massage is just one example of the different Eastern massages.

In the Chinese massage there are different variations that will help with relaxing the tense muscles of the body. Some of these Chinese massage techniques also have other healing benefits for the body. In all of the Chinese massages the person who is having the massage will need to wear loose clothing.

Chinese massages are used to help with the healing of different medical complaints that can afflict people. The different branches of Chinese massage therapy as it is known are designed to help with the healing process.

The first of the Chinese massage techniques is that of Amno. This is a press and rub technique that is used to rejuvenate your health. It is also used to maintain the body in top physical condition. The next technique is that of Tuina.

In Tuina which is a push and grab technique, internal disorders and muscle problems are treated via this massage. This Chinese massage method is also used for treat injuries and joint pains. For babies the Chinese have a massage treatment that works quite well.

This Chinese massage is called Infant Tuina. The pressure points that are used for this massage are different than the ones that are widely used. As a home remedy type of Chinese massage you will find Dian Xue. This particular Chinese massage is used by acupuncturists when they encounter situations where they can’t use the acupuncture needles.

Dian Xue is known to be a point and press technique in Chinese massages. The final part of the Chinese massage techniques is that of Wai Qi Liao Fa. This massage technique is used only after the trainee to Chinese massage therapy has studied for years with a Qigong master.

In the Wai Qi Liao Fa Chinese massage technique the healing is accomplished by direct contact with the life energy that is called Qi. All of these Chinese massage therapies are used to treat various conditions in the body that are the result of blocked Qi.

In the practice of Chinese massage the idea that the Qi and the body’s mental and physical conditions are linked. As it is believed that the body needs to be healed on three different levels you should see a trained Chinese massage therapist.

With a Chinese massage therapist you can gain the best benefits to your health as a result of having a Chinese massage. The next time that you find yourself in some pain as part of your day to day work you might want to consult with a Chinese masseuse to have a Chinese massage worked on your aching body.

Find Chinese Medicine Schools in the United States and Canada. Students, who are seeking an alternative education and would like to gain knowledge and skills to become part of the lucrative field of Chinese medicine, may opt to enroll in one of many Chinese medicine schools.

Students enrolled in Chinese medicine schools will learn that Chinese medicine is over 2000 years old, and is an ancient form of medicine. Consisting of acupuncture, moxibustion (moxibustion - using material made up of "moxa-wool," in a form of a cone or stick; moxibustion is used to treat and prevent disease by applying heat to pints or certain locations of the human body), herbal medicine, acupressure, cupping, therapeutic exercise and nutrition; traditional Chinese medicine schools are notated by their principle teachings of internal balance and harmony, or "chi," (life force) regulation through energy channels.

In essence, chinese-medicine.html>Chinese medicine schools are widely known for their training in acupuncture techniques and herbology. Founded on the Yin and Yang principle, the five elements and Zang Fu, Chinese medicine schools teach evolutional treatments in modern Western civilization.

Chinese medicine schools also instruct students in the uses of Qi Gong and Tai Qi Chuan in its methodology. Incorporating supplemental elements in a nutritious diet such as vitamins, minerals, herbs and other supplements are fundamental treatments taught in Chinese medicine schools as well.

Overall, Chinese medicine schools extend knowledge and clinical experience to future practitioners, whereby learned methods can be applied to treat allergies, arthritis pain, weight control, quitting smoking, back injury pain, musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, stress, TMJ and PMS; among others.

If you are interested in obtaining more information about Chinese medicine and its benefits, feel free to peruse our business member directory for accredited, Chinese medicine practitioners today – or, if you’re interested in becoming a Chinese medicine practitioner, Holistic Junction offers a vast array of Chinese medicine schools from which you may choose to enroll. Take the leap and obtain a career in Chinese medicine today!

Find your dream job! Let education within fast-growing industries like massage therapy, cosmetology, acupuncture, oriental medicine, Reiki, and others get you started! Explore career school programs near you.

Chinese Medicine
© Copyright 2007
The CollegeBound Network
All Rights Reserved

NOTICE: Article(s) may be republished free of charge to relevant websites, as long as Copyright and Author Resource Box are included; and ALL Hyperlinks REMAIN intact and active.