<P> Chinese culture (simplified Chinese: 中华 文化; traditional Chinese: 中華 文化; pinyin: Zhōnghuá wénhuà) is one of the world's oldest cultures, originating thousands of years ago . The area in which the culture is dominant covers a large geographical region in East Asia with customs and traditions varying greatly between provinces, cities, and even towns as well . With China being one of the earliest ancient civilizations, Chinese culture is extremely diverse and varying, and it has a profound effect in the philosophy, virtue, etiquette and traditions of Asia to date . </P> <P> Chinese culture is historically considered the dominant culture in East Asia, as it was the civilization that held the most dominant influence in the region that laid out the cultural groundwork for East Asian civilization . Chinese language, ceramics, architecture, music, dance, literature, martial arts, cuisine, visual arts, philosophy, business etiquette, religion, politics and history have a profound impact on the world, while its traditions and festivals are also celebrated, instilled and practiced by people around Asia . </P> <P> From the Qin dynasty to the late Qing dynasty (221 BC--AD 1840), the Chinese government divided Chinese people into four classes: landlord, peasant, craftsmen, and merchant . Landlords and peasants constituted the two major classes, while merchant and craftsmen were collected into the two minor . Theoretically, except for the position of the Emperor, nothing was hereditary . </P>

Chinese business culture is associated with all of the following except