ABSTRACT
The issue of diversity also occurs with values themselves. Some virtues often considered typically Chinese, such as respect for tradition, concern to protect face and the meticulous reciprocation of greetings, favours and gifts can come into conflict with other equally traditional values, such as perseverance and thrift. The former are more oriented to the past or present, the latter to the future. And it is the dynamism of the latter group that has been credited with fuelling Chinese economic success. The Chinese may indeed value tradition and face, but when these conflict with what can be gained by hard work and deferred gratification, they are likely to be sacrificed (Hofstede and Bond 1988).
