Abstract: Data on societal norms about working (SNW) were collected from 905 respondents in Beijing area through a stratified sampling by using the Mean-ing of Working Questionnaire and then compared with the data from other 8nations. Results reveal the obligation orientation charateristic of Chinese wor-kers. A hypothesis of SNW continuity is pointed out to query the validityof the methodology used by MOW international Research Team.

Key words: Societal norms about working, obligation norm, entitlement norm, meaning of working, cross-cultural research