DO's and DON'Ts in China

address seniority

DO - when in China you should refer to a person using an honorific title such as 'teacher' (laoshi) or by the family name plus Mr. and Ms.

address the eldest first

DO -this is done as a sign of respect to those in a more senior position than you.

offer a really firm handshake

DON'T - a firm handshake can be seen as a sign of aggression

open a present in front of the person that gave it to you

DON'T - in China it is rude to open a present while the person that gave it to you is still there

refuse a gift a number of times before accepting it

DO - in China it is polite to refuse gifts before accepting it, so don’t be discouraged when someone initially refuses your gift

leave your chopsticks upright in your bowl or tap your bowl with them

DON'T - in China a bowl of rice is offered to the spirit of a dead person, so it should be respected

touch a Tibetan on the head

DON'T - In Tibet people believe that God resides in your head and may be offended by this gesture

ask people if they have already eaten their meal when greeting them

DO - chinese people often ask that instead of saying "hello", this is a kind gesture and a sigh that you care for them

be punctual

DO - chinese people can't stand unpunctual people, if you made an appointment be sure to be there on time

expose your body

DON'T - if you show too much of your legs or neckline that can shock many locals, especially the old ones

wear green hats

DON'T - in China don't use green hats, “wearing a green hat” (戴绿帽子 or dài lǜ mào zǐ) it is an expression that Chinese use when a woman cheats on her husband or boyfriend

give a clock as a present

DON'T - giving a clock is a subtle reminder that relationships and life have an end, if you give someone a clock it means you want the dead

offer pears

DON'T- it is fine do give fruits but not pears, the Chinese word for 'pears' (梨 lí /lee/) sounds the same as the word for leaving or "parting" (离 lí)

offer an umbrella as a gift

DON'T - the Chinese word for 'umbrella' (伞 sǎn /san/) sound like the word for 'breaking up' (散 sàn), giving an umbrella means that you want someone to break up with another person

offer a mirror as a gift

DON'T - don't offer a mirror in China because chinese believe that it attract malicious ghosts

give white or yellow flowers (especially chrysanthemums)

DON'T- in China chrysanthemums are flowers commonly used funerals in China

bring some gift when you're invited to someone's house

DO - chinese people like to receive small gifts such as wine or fruits

tip in the restaurant

DON'T - tipping is a practice that is not observed in China, people might get confused and try to give your money back

bargain a price

DO - when in a chinese market aren't the final prices, you have to bargain in order to lower the price, chinese people love a bargain

speak about the number 4

DON't- people often avoid the number 4 because "四 (sì)" sounds like "死 (sǐ)," which means "death”