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Guanxi sounds like the "Old boy network." And "Chabuduo" sounds similar to "Fail fast, fail often."

gvhst 8y ago
I'd like to respectfully provide some contrasting ideas regarding these two points. 1. Guanxi is related to one's network or clout, but there are several distinct differences between the chinese concept of Guanxi and the western notion of "old boy's network." Primarily, guanxi is more a locative phenomena--anyone can have Guanxi within your community and business--whereas idea of an "old boy's network" pertains to ones connections and access to society at large. Additionally, Guanxi isn't explicitly related to a subpopulation. Anyone can have guanxi in a specific community, not just men. 2. Chabuduo literally means "not a big difference." More abstractly, I see it as a thought process where "adequacy is enough." I do see the connection with fail fast, where one doesn't wait until perfection to ship. However chabuduo to me doesn't exemplify the pursuit of improvement that underlies "fail fast, fail often."
bllguo 8y ago
I mean it literally just means 'relationship.' It's just that networking is even more important in China where there are so many people competing for resources, where the bureaucracy and the systems are more corrupt, and where the culture values things like familial bonds and reciprocity more. It's part of survival there. It's a concept everywhere, it's just that it's not nearly as necessary in much of the West. You can get by just fine. The distinction, imo, is that the "old boys network" is networking strictly among the rich and powerful.
glitchc 8y ago
Guanxi is most akin to karma. Good karma for treating other people well, bad karma for treating them poorly.
anon46u8 8y ago
I find it funny how many HN readers will insist that China (or really any Asian culture), is just so different that you you have to use “native” words to describe it. I guess your comment touched a nerve. It’s like “face” is just respect, but sounds more “Asian-ish.” Guanxi is just networking. Sometimes it’s important and sometimes it’s not. if you can speak the local language, you’ll need less of it. I’m know immigrants in the US will say how important it is to network with the right people.

I'd like to respectfully provide some contrasting ideas regarding these two points. 1. Guanxi is related to one's network or clout, but there are several distinct differences between the chinese concept of Guanxi and the western notion of "old boy's network." Primarily, guanxi is more a locative phenomena--anyone can have Guanxi within your community and business--whereas idea of an "old boy's network" pertains to ones connections and access to society at large. Additionally, Guanxi isn't explicitly related to a subpopulation. Anyone can have guanxi in a specific community, not just men. 2. Chabuduo literally means "not a big difference." More abstractly, I see it as a thought process where "adequacy is enough." I do see the connection with fail fast, where one doesn't wait until perfection to ship. However chabuduo to me doesn't exemplify the pursuit of improvement that underlies "fail fast, fail often."

bllguo 8y ago

I mean it literally just means 'relationship.' It's just that networking is even more important in China where there are so many people competing for resources, where the bureaucracy and the systems are more corrupt, and where the culture values things like familial bonds and reciprocity more. It's part of survival there. It's a concept everywhere, it's just that it's not nearly as necessary in much of the West. You can get by just fine. The distinction, imo, is that the "old boys network" is networking strictly among the rich and powerful.

glitchc 8y ago

Guanxi is most akin to karma. Good karma for treating other people well, bad karma for treating them poorly.

anon46u8 8y ago

I find it funny how many HN readers will insist that China (or really any Asian culture), is just so different that you you have to use “native” words to describe it. I guess your comment touched a nerve. It’s like “face” is just respect, but sounds more “Asian-ish.” Guanxi is just networking. Sometimes it’s important and sometimes it’s not. if you can speak the local language, you’ll need less of it. I’m know immigrants in the US will say how important it is to network with the right people.