A study of 436 Chinese (People's Republic of China) managers suggests two conclusions concerning managerial communication: (1) formality dominates Chinese managers' daily interchanges through prescribed channels; (2) oral and written communication courses are among the least important, in the opinion of Chinese managers, for their managerial preparation. Reasons for these communication perceptions include a continuing tradition of Chinese and British formality; a preponderance of Communist party and central government planning that diminishes time for managerial level discussion; a cultural heritage of being orally passive within the home, an attitude which is reflected in the classroom; and a reflection of all of these results in a degree of quiet acceptance within the world of work.