– Cultural adaptation
Culture shock – in brief
Brian Hennessy. An Australian in China. January, 2016. Psychologist. All change is stressful, and although we may not think so at the time, culture shock is a normal reaction to change. With a little self-knowledge it can be managed successfully. This article looks at the nature, stages, and causes of culture shock; and provides guidelines for managing […]
Culture shock in China
Brian Hennessy. An Australian in China. DipT; BA; MEd; DipPsych. Psychologist All change is stressful, and although we may not think so at the time, culture shock is a normal reaction to change. It is not a mental illness, and with a little self-knowledge it can be managed successfully. If we hope to adapt to […]
On Confucius, culture, & government
Brian Hennessy. An Australian in China. May, 2014 Although Western people have heard many jokes about Confucius, very few understand his main ideas and how important his thinking has been to Chinese culture and society. If we are serious about understanding China it is imperative that we acquaint ourselves with this ancient sage. On […]
China: a land of contradictions
Brian Hennessy. An Australian in China. China is a land of contradictions. While on the one hand China presents herself as an outward looking developing nation proud of her new economic strength and rising international status; on the other hand she remains a culturally conservative, inward looking nation influenced by her isolationist past. Foreigners who live and work […]
Understanding China: what is Face?
Brian Hennessy. An Australian in China. Westerners can be conscious of Face. For example, telling a white-lie can be a legitimate attempt to save Face. If we live in an expensive house in an exclusive suburb, or drive a BMW instead of a humble Holden, perhaps we are mindful of Face. For Chinese people however, maintaining Face […]
Understanding China: what is Guanxi?
Brian Hennessy. An Australian in China. Think: Informal networks, using the back door, investing in relationships, calling in favours, underground economy, and so on. Guanxi is all of the above and more. In fact it is a highly sophisticated parallel economy which subverts a totalitarian system and its bloated, politicised bureaucracy. Understanding China: what is Guanxi? […]
China from the inside out
Brian Hennessy. An Australian in China. February, 2012 I hesitate to write about my observations of life in China. The boundary between my Western culture and Chinese culture has blurred. For example: when I arrived in 2003 everything was new and exciting and it was easy to spot the differences. Nowadays they are not so obvious. Nevertheless, […]
Australian & Chinese couples
Adele Horin. Sydney Morning Herald. January 3, 2012 Eastern approach may keep couples from landing in divorce courts AUSTRALIAN couples show affection, speak their mind and put high store on love and sex as essential ingredients of a happy marriage. But with one in three ending in divorce, researchers are examining whether Eastern cultures […]