There are three letters that have a great deal of significance to the Chinese, and they are beginning to make even more of an impact upon Americans every year, especially as trade between the two nations heats up in a perpetual roller-coaster ride of highs and lows. While the letters “CNY” may not mean a lot to some, they are already quite important to the ones who have been working with manufacturers and distributors in Asia for decades, and will continue to bring their influence closer still, to consumers in the USA.

CNY – it’s a short abbreviation that often represents the Chinese Yuan denomination of currency to traders on Wall Street’s sales floors – but to the people in the wholesale industry, it means a whole lot more. In fact, during the times when most Americans are celebrating the holidays and preparing for their down-time at the end of the year, things are just starting to get interesting in China, where the preparations for Chinese New Year (CNY) and the much-revered Spring Festival celebrations are underway.

There is a one-month gap between east and west,where these holiday dates are concerned. For most people in other countries, the month of January represents a time to get things kicked into high gear, as the new year begins, and everyone returns to work refreshed. For China, it’s entirely different, and the difference in culture can either be a huge advantage for those in the know, or a liability for anyone who isn’t prepared.

Some major points to consider when dealing with Chinese counterparts and partners during the holidays can be summed up into a time line that exists roughly within a six-week period starting three weeks before the actual week of Spring Festival, one week during, and two weeks after. This is not the official guide, but a practical one that is based upon experience from a number of expats who have been working inside the mainland for years.

Much like the “Twelve Days of Christmas,” there is a pattern to watch, regarding CNY:

Week One:

Everyone starts getting a bit dreamy-eyed, as the holidays approach. The flow of information gets a little slower, and some employees begin enacting their exit strategies at the office, in an attempt to free up as much time as possible for the shopping, train ticket-buying, and other preparations before the “Golden Week” begins.

Week Two:

Many Chinese companies on the mainland will announce the actual official dates for company holidays sometime during this week, since keeping the information secret for a long as possible prevents employees slacking off on job duties before they leave for their vacations.

Week Three:

People begin acting on their mental to-do lists, and plans are put into motion for getting everything wrapped up before the “Golden Week” of vacation time. This often includes the extremely anxious and stressful rush to buy and secure train tickets for people who will be traveling to other cities and provinces, as the voyage home is a near-mandatory ritual that is expected by family members who still cling to traditions. Tickets are often sold by scalpers, and the stress levels can become nearly intolerable for people who don’t have inside connections to ticket agencies.

Week Four:

Let the celebrations begin! During the week of the actual holiday, there are few things on the minds of most besides eating, drinking, and visiting families in an attempt to settle up old relationships, and establish renewed relationships with influential members.

Week Five:

The trip back home is made, and most feel such exhaustion from the “holiday” that they allow themselves a little rest before accepting the new year in reality, and at the office.

Week Six:

For employees that were not allowed to take holidays during the dates they desired, this is usually the rush-week of applications and interviews, as companies launch campaigns to hire fresh talent from the pool of junior level employees who made the executive decision some time around Week Two.

The holidays play a huge role in life on the other side of the globe, and if a wholesaler or retailer wants to be on top of their game, it pays to know and understand some of the subtler truths behind them.