DIFFERENT styles of communication between Chinese and Westerners sometimes lead to embarrassing misunderstandings.
The Chinese style of communication tends to be indirect and implicit, said Gao Ge, assistant professor of communication studies at San Jose State University.
When Chinese are praised for speaking good English, their immediate feeling is happiness or pride, but they hide this with self-deprecating displays of modesty. For the Chinese, accepting praise without blushing equals arrogance.
When Chinese want to borrow money, they will explain how bad their situation is and hope the listener responds with a loan. They will not ask for money directly, and will assume their intention was completely understood. If the listener does not respond, the Chinese think he does not want to help.
It is a case of explicit versus implicit communication, says Prof Gao.
Another example is when a Chinese receives a gift. Although they might not exclaim their thanks or hug and kiss as Westerners do, it doesn't mean they don't like the gift. They just can't say they that do.
