What do the Chinese know that we don't?

Here's a little thought for a Saturday morning and nothing at all to do with Mafdel belts (even though they do solve all of your conveyor hygiene challenges!).

I was away from home last week and two small packets arrived in my absence. Both were of equal size, importance and value. One was from the UK, the other from China.

I opened the first, a very grey and businesslike affair and a part for my guitar. "Oh good", I thought, "I'll fit that this morning".

I then opened the second, I pulled out the contents and found myself openly grinning at the item inside. The colour was phenomenal and I didn't understand a word of what was written on the packaging! The experience had left me oddly happy and cheerful even before my first cup of tea. The day had started well I thought.

Now, without going all 'Zen', it struck me as to how the two different packets had given me two different experiences. For example, it's no accident that a field of yellow buttercups in a lush green field will easily trump the bland and uninspiring grey of an urban concrete cityscape. Colour certainly elevates and influences our mood. Whoever designed the second package had put me in a positive frame of mind.

I then went on to wonder how this experience could work to my own advantage. Would the introduction of yellows and reds increase the impact of my normally sombre grey/white/black PP presentations? If I was to wear a bright yellow tie instead of my subdued navy blue, how would it influence the mood of a sales discussion?

The Chinese are supreme business people. In the west, we are often startled (appalled?) at the garish colours and presentation but, do the Chinese know something we don't?

Can we learn something about the importance of colour from them and how it influences mood and thought?

How about a bit bit of cheeky lime green somewhere on screen next time you fire up your PowerPoint!