Critical Incidents for Mutual Understanding among Chinese and Americans
'Turning Bricks Into Jade' is an idiomatic translation of the Chinese proverb "throw bricks, attract jade". The authors like to think of each critical incident as a brick, which, when combined with other similar bricks - good sense and effort - can be used to build relationships more valuable than jade.
The critical incidents are stories about cross-cultural conflict or misunderstanding, based on actual events. Readers choose one of the four or five possible alternatives that explain the misunderstanding. Following each incident is a discussion of potential solutions, and many incidents have more than one "correct" explanation.
'Turning Bricks Into Jade' can be used in training, for both individuals or groups of any size, and in almost any setting - the workplace, and the classroom for: business managers and negotiators; teachers gong into China; diplomats and government staff; students; and anyone staying or working in the country.