Humour.
Humor rarely translates well, and Chinese humor is no exception. But cultivating an appreciation and understanding of Chinese humor will put you on the fast track towards building relationships with Chinese friends and business partners.
Comedy in China relies heavily on puns and allusions that are difficult to appreciate without a fairly deep understanding of Mandarin. Crosstalk (xiangsheng) is the most popular example of this type of humor. A form of dialogue with (usually) two performers, crosstalk relies on anecdote, satire and pun to tickle the Chinese funny bone. Canadian crosstalk performer Dashan, perhaps the most famous foreigner in China, once said that the Abbott and Costello “Who’s on First?” routine was the only analogue in Western culture.
If Chinese stand-up comedy doesn’t have you rolling in the aisles, developing an understanding of interpersonal humor in China will be a big step in developing relationships in Beijing. Beijingers, known for their circumspect nature, will often couch taboo speech in humor, including critiques, observations, and threats. Self-deprecating humor always goes over well with Chinese friends, as it demonstrates that one is not self-important or seeking recognition, fatal character flaws in Chinese culture.
In these ways, humor serves a vital role in Chinese relationships, both as a way to save face and cultivate all-important guanxi.