DOs -Bring gifts.

Small things are OK, even something like silver dollars would be acceptable probably, things that are symbolic of your own country/culture are very good. -Accept business cards (and other gifts) with both hands. Give your own card, and other gifts, in the same fashion (shows respect and sincerity). -Eat and drink at least a little of everything you're offered. If you can't or don't want to eat something, be prepared to have an excuse (I'm allergic) and, if necessary, let your hosts know beforehand. -Be humble. Don't be self-deprecating, but play down and deflect any compliments you get rather than saying "thank you." -When toasting, be sure that your glass is slightly lower than the glass of anyone who is above your level in the company. Often, in a competition to be polite, both sides will try to lower their glasses repeatedly. Just do your best to keep your glass lower. If you don't, it's not a big thing, but if Chinese people see you doing this they'll be impressed with your cultural knowledge. -Try to speak a little Chinese. You're not going to master the language, but a little "ni hao" and "xiexie" and "zai jian" shows that you respect their culture and you're making an effort to understand it. -Hire a GOOD interpretor. Do not skimp on this. If you're going for a serious business negotiation where large amounts of money are at stake, hire or bring your own (even if the other company is providing one for you too), and be sure the one you bring is qualified! -When guests leave, see them out. -Smoke and drink when it's offered to you, if you can. Cigarettes and, especially in the northeast, booze, are symbols of friendship, and in China business runs on personal relationships so they're symbols of business partnership, too. If you can't or don't smoke, tell them you "can't" () as this tends to work. If you don't drink, you'd better have a good excuse ready. "I'm a recovering alcoholic." is not a good excuse. Neither is "my dad was a drunk." Say you're allergic. -Know what to call people and who is in charge of who. Hierarchy is more important in Chinese companies than Western ones, and you'll embarrass the bosses if you treat the regular employees better than them. DON'Ts -Give 4 of anything, or give a clock or watch. These are inauspicious, and imply death. -Stick your chopsticks in your rice so that they stick up or out. This looks like the incense at a Chinese funeral. Lay the chopsticks flat on top of the bowl. -Point your chopsticks at anyone, or wave them around while talking. -Say "No". Be aware of "face", and don't openly reject or criticize someone Chinese when there are others from their company around. In the business world, you will rarely hear "no," what you hear is "I think this needs some more work" or "we will consider it." or something like that. -Try to bribe anyone. Yes, this is how the Chinese business world sometimes works, but it almost never works that way for foreigners. Obey Chinese laws or be ready to pay the price...

dos & don'ts

Many travelers from abroad are confused and frightened by Chinese customs. This handy reference tool makes it easy for newcomers to Beijing to fit right in. So come along, my alien friend! Welcome to Beijing! The order of Chinese names is family name first, then given name. Among some 440 family names, the 100 most common ones account for 90% of the total population. Brides in China do not adopt their husband's surnames. Among Chinese, a popular way to address each other, regardless of gender, is to add an age-related term of honor before the family name. These include : lao

(honorable old one), xiao (honorable young one) or occasionally da (honorable middle-aged one). Unlike the Japanese, Chinese do not commonly bow as a form of greeting. Instead, a brief handshake is usual. While meeting elders or senior officials, your handshake should be even more gentle and accompanied by a slight nod. Sometimes, as an expression of warmth, a Chinese will cover the nomal handshake with his left hand. As a sign of respect, Chinese usually lower their eyes slightly when they meet others. Moreover, embracing or kissing when greeting or saying good-bye is highly unusual. Generally, Chinese do not show their emotions and feelings in public. Consequently, it is better not to behave in too carefree a manner in public. Too, it is advisable to be fairly cautious in political discussions. Chinese do not usually accept a gift, invitation or favor when it is first presented. Politely refusing two or three times is thought to reflect modesty and humility. Accepting something in haste makes a person look aggressive and greedy, as does opening it in front of the giver. Traditionally the monetary value of a gift indicated the importance of a relationship, but due to increasing contact with foreigners in recent years, the symbolic nature of gifts has taken foot. Present your gifts with both hands. And when wrapping, be aware that the Chinese ascribe much importance to color. Red is lucky, pink and yellow represent happiness and prosperity; white, grey and black are funeral colors. The popular items include cigarette lighters, stamps (stamp collecting is a popular hobby), T-shirt, the exotic coins make a good gift to Chinese. And the following gifts should be avoided: 1.White or yellow flowers (especially chrysanthemums), which are used for funerals. 2.Pears. The word for Pear in Chinese sounds the same as separate and is considered bad luck. 3.Red ink for writing cards or letters. It symbolizes the end of a relationship. 4.Clocks of any kind. The word clock in Chinese sound like the expression the end of life.

China is one of those wonderful countries where tipping is not practiced and almost no one asks for tips. The same thing goes even in Hong Kong and Macao, except in some luxurious hotels.

Traditionally speaking, there are many taboos at Chinese tables, but these days not many people pay attention to them. However, there are a few things to keep in mind, especially if you are a guest at a private home. 1. Don't stick your chopsticks upright in the rice bowl. Instead, lay them on your dish. The reason for this is that when somebody dies, the shrine to them contains a bowl of sand or rice with two sticks of incense stuck upright in it. So if you stick your chopsticks in the rice bowl, it looks like this shrine and is equivalent to wishing death upon person at the table!

2. Make sure the spout of the teapot is not facing anyone. It is impolite to set the teapot down where the spout is facing towards somebody. The spout should always be directed to where nobody is sitting, usually just outward from the table. 3. Don't tap on your bowl with your chopsticks. Beggars tap on their bowls, so this is not polite. Also, in a restaurant, if the food is coming too slow people will tap their bowls. If you are in someone's home, it is like insulting the cook.

Travel tips
China may be changing fast, but it's still a highly traditional society. Showing respect for local customs will make your travels more pleasant for you and those around you. Here's some tips to help you avoid a gaffe. Read more: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/china/travel-tips-and-articles/1252#ixzz2eZySv3kI

Do

remove your shoes when entering a Chinese home or temple greet the eldest person in a Chinese family first, as a sign of respect beckon someone by waving them over to you with your palm down. Dont point or use your finger (this gesture is used for dogs). present things to people with both hands, to show that what youre offering is the fullest extent of yourself be effusively thankful if someone gives you a gift, then set it aside to open later, to avoid appearing greedy be prepared for random people approaching to you and asking to practice their English keep calm when dealing with officials, especially if tense situations arise. Getting angry or raising your voice will create only an ugly, face-losing situation for all. eat what your host offers and orders, including alcohol; its rude to refuse touch your glass below that of the eldest person in the group when toasting the eldest (aka wise one) holds his/her glass highest fill your companions tea cup when its empty, especially if your companion is older than you eat all of the rice in your bowl some Chinese believe its bad luck to leave even a single grain behind say how much you love watching Yao Ming play in the NBA (when hes healthy)

prepare yourself to see animals treated very differently than youre used to back home be punctual. Being on time shows respect for others.

Don't
write anything in red ink unless youre correcting an exam. Red ink is used for letters of protest. leave your chopsticks upright in your bowl or tap your bowl with them point the bottom of your shoes/feet at someone shake your feet, lest you shake away all of your luck. touch someones head (its sacred) give clocks or books as gifts. The phrase to give a clock in Mandarin sounds too much like attend a funeral and giving a book sounds like delivering defeat. make political comments like boy, didnt Mao kill a lot of people unless your new pals take the lead. Many Chinese remain huge Mao fans, as proven daily by the lines at his mausoleum. make out with your beau limit your PDAs, lovebirds. be offended when asked if youre married and if youre over 30 and single, say yes, lest you be pitied give too much attention to an object someone else has; they may feel obligated to give it to you wear your Free Tibet t-shirt unless you want a LOT of attention Use those pretty gold/silver papers for western dcor. Its for spiritual/cultural Chinese rituals. freak out if you dont know what to do. When in doubt, simply watch what the Chinese people do and follow suit.

Read more: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/china/travel-tips-and-articles/1252#ixzz2eZygFF8x

Dos and Don'ts in China

Dos and Don'ts in China As many other countries, China has her own customary practices in social life and the business world. The Chinese have some taboos in doing things, too. But great changes have taken place since the reform from 1978 and dynamic China shows her difference and uniqueness to the outside world. We just put some points here for foreign friends attention and for their reference in communications with the Chinese people. But we remind you of having these remarks in mind when communicating with people from another culture: Thats not right, thats not wrong, thats just different! 1. Meeting with Chinese People It is most important thing for people from different cultures to meet each other, which creates foundation for understanding and mutual understanding. In China, it is common to extend right hand to shake hands with people when being introduced, but being a male, wait for the woman to extend hand first. It is considered awkward to hold a waomans hand long and strong or cover a womans hand with two hands. It is common practice to offer business card while meeting people for the first time, especially meeting people for official or business purposes. There fore, you had better prepare some name cards for yourself when coming to China. When you hand over your card to others, you had better present it with both of your hands, holding the two corners of the card in a position that the receiver can easily read it. It will be appreciated to prepare the card printed both in Chinese and your native language, but it will also do in only your own language. It is polite to receive the business card with both hand and pronounce it carefully in the face of the person presenting the card to you, especially the name of the person. It is OK to ask for a business card from those you want to keep in contact with by

only saying: May I have a business card from you in case I need your help? or Could you give me your card to have your instruction in the future? The person you ask a card from will feel important and respected by your asking. It is polite to stand up when somebody approaches you or somebody is being introduced to you while you are sitting there. More attention and respect should be paid to the elderly and the higher ranking people by offering them to enter the room first or allowing them to be seated first. It will be practical, useful or welcome and appreciated to memorize some simple greeting in the Chinese language such as ni hao(hello) and xie xie (thanks), and practice them often in meeting Chinese, which will make your stay a more convenient and pleasant one. But do not feel bothered by these frequent questions such as: Where are you from? Is it first time you come to China? How long will you stay in China? How do you like China? Have you ever been to Beijing? Have you visited the Great Wall? Do you like Chinese food? These questions are by no means offensive, but just like the weather topic between people in western cultures. 2. Dinning with Chinese People The Chinese people are considerate people, so you should not be surprised when seeing some strangers invited at the same time with you for s dinner. They may be the people the host thinks that you will work with in the near future, or that you may need help from or do business with in the future. It would be nice if you could try to learn some phrase for practical purposes for the banquet: hao chi-at you will; bie ke qi do not stand on so much formality, be at home; hao chi- delicious; chi bao le-I am full; and to find good topics is always welcome in the banquet. And it would be desirable to contribute to the good atmosphere of the banquet. If not, try not to be spoiling it. You are not supposed to put your chopsticks straight on the rice of the bowl, because it is the way the Chinese lay for dead people in big festivals. You should observe the position the waitress starts serving the dishes. You are not supposed to pick up the dish before the principal host extends his chopsticks to the dish first, and do not drink before he invites you to drink, especially at the beginning of the banquet. During the banquet, if you find some dish especially to your taste, you can turn the Lazy Susan- ratary, but if there is something such as dogs meat or cats meat, or some internal organs of animals or Chinese favorite tonic food, you can put them on the plates to avoid more coming in. But you should not eat too much at first even if there are some dishes to your taste, and you may leave some space for other delicious dishes to follow, for in a Chinese banquet, cold dishes are served first in small plates and then hot dishes in bigger plater. After the toast of the host, the guests are supposed to give return toast, especially the main guest. You are supposed to do bottoms up sometimes with your warm Chinese partners, and to do that at least once to show your sincerity. But if you are not good at drinking, you can also avoid it by giving some excuses such as allergic to alcohol, digestion problem, liver problems and so on.. It is not considered bad manners to use hand to deal with crabs or chicken with crabs or chicken with bones. You can put shells or bones on the desk or your own plate. Sometimes a bowl of cleansing water is served for cleaning your hands before eating hard dealing as above-mentioned and after. Fish is the last course of the dishes. The host will ask the guests what kind of food they prefer. Food here means white rice or Cantonese rice, Chinese noodle, Chinese dumpling or

Chinese cake, etc. When the dessert comes, such as fruits, it suggests the end of the banquet. And before leaving the banquet, show your thanks and appreciation for the hosts kindness and express your willingness to return the kindness or the hospitality when your host visits your home country. 3. Communicating with Chinese People As we all know that the Chinese culture belongs to high-context culture in which people tend to be more aware of their surroundings and their environment and do not rely on verbal communication as their main information channel. So people from the opposite lowcontext culture will think the Chinese are indirect and not clear-cut in expressing ideas while the Chinese people think the westerners are so direct as to lead to conflicts easily in communication. Hierarchy in China makes people ready to accept orders or tasks given from higher level authority, but reluctant to share information at the same level or with people under them, though this might not be then case with the economic development for the moment. In a high-context culture such as that in China, people expect their communication partner to read their minds. So many westerners from low-context culture think that the Chinese are ambiguous and vague in communication. When exchanging information the Chinese tend to give others all the necessary information except the crucial piece, the most sensitive piece that may cause some unpleasantness for present harmony. For instance, No is considered impolite to the person rather than to his idea in the Chinese culture. The direct no is rude and against the rule of Li (politeness) of Confucius in interpersonal relations. No will be conveyed by the following forms: We will think about it a bit: We will discuss it before giving the answer; We will report it to our boss; That is a good question; You can contact me later; It will be done in the near future; or we will consider your good suggestion, etc. And sometimes behavior like smile, shaking hands or silence implies that the question goes beyond the speaker. A Chinese proverb says: youd better s ay three times Yes than once No. It suggests that a positive statement is considered more important than a negative one in Chinese communication. When asking a favor of a Chinese, you had better leave a space for the Chinese to react. Try to ask in a way to make the Chinese easily convey the no in the answer. For example: A person who needs help is conveying his message to a potential helper: Are you very busy these days? I am busy with a meeting, I think maybe somebody is needed to take care of my baby a few hours a day. The expected negative answer: Oh, I am very busy these days with my family visiting me and I cook for them and show them around. The No is aired without embarrassment. Sometimes, subjunctive mood is used in asking for help: If only I can find somebody who likes to help me or I would be luckier to have somebody here to take care of my baby. Harmony is one of the primary principles in communication in China. If the message can affect the harmony or make the person lose face, then transmission of the message will be delayed or even deleted. The third party or middleman is often used between two parties to avoid direct conflicts. And finally, Qingke (invitation to dinner) is the usual way to help further communication, and is used among friends, colleagues, partners or authorities. 4. Gotiating with Chinese People The Chinese like to do business with friends to avoid the risk of being cheated. If you want to do business with Chinese, you had better use a third party whose reputation is accepted by the Chinese partner to introduce you to the business field. When you arrive in China expecting a contract, you should fully understand the kindness and hospitality shown in the Chinese partners arrangement of putting you in hotels, takin g

you for the local sightseeing, or entertaining you with delicious food. The Chinese think the host should try his best to show his sincerity and hospitality toward friends or guests from far away, and it is a great pleasure for the Chinese to make the guest feel at home. The Chinese think it takes time to know each other better and become friends. To many foreigners, the Chinese are not efficient in doing business with them. The Chinese tend to find out the hierarchy situation of their partner in negotiations. There should be a leading member in the delegation. If this member wants to be more convincing, he or she had better be an elderly in the group. Before negotiating with the Chinese, you had better know the structure of the Chinese company and try to reach the person who has real power to give the last decision. The people who are active in the negotiating process sometimes are not the decision makers. In the first rounds of the negotiation, the powerful person sometimes does not show up. He will show up, say in some cases, only in the contract signing ceremony. Lacking patience in the negotiation makes the Chinese think that the partner is lacking sincerity in doing business. The Letter of Intent only shows that the two parties have strong interest in some business for many Chinese businessmen. It could not be taken as a legal contract or a guarantee for the business even if both parties have signed it. The Chinese tend to treat a partner to special accommodation for the sake of long- term relationship. They do compromise when taking long-term cooperation and friendship into consideration. But do not take for granted that the Chinese compromise easily and ask for more. The Chinese think that goes beyond modesty. 5. Complimenting Chinese People Harmony for interpersonal relationship is so important in China that people developed a system of rules to enforce it. One way, this is easy and at low cost, is to give compliment. The Chinese compliment can cover almost all aspects or everything, complexion, hairstyle, new promotion and so on. And it eventually develops into a fine art of polishing interpersonal relationship. If you give compliment again and again to the Chinese on one thing such as painting or craft, you will find it your farewell gift; the Chinese like to read others mind as they expect others to read their. The Chinese like very much to give compliment to others because that will give enoughface (honor) to people at any time. The Chinese like compliment so much that criticism finds it hard to make its way out. In all business setting, compliment is seldom deleted from its main part of the occasions such as opening ceremony, closing ceremony, daily report, weekly meeting and so on. In China, you have to build a strong sense of judgment to tell true compliments. In attending a ceremony or an event, do not forget to tell the host you appreciate the arrangement. After attending a banquet, do not forget to give compliment to dishes, although they are not so delicious as you think. When you are given compliment by the Chinese, you should not be so frustrated by the overstated compliment and you had better show your modesty by saying in Chinese: na li na li(not so good); ma ma hu hu( just so so). When a Chinese is trying to point out something wrong with you, he will probably start from your good point in one way or another and lastly he will give you some hint to let you figure it out by yourself. 6. Keeping in Contact with Chinese The Chinese like an established relationship to remain a long time. So the Chinese people try to contact each other from time to time by making phone calls, visiting each other or by dining with each other, though some changes have taken place, due to the ever increasing activities in life and work. The Chinese think that relationship is reciprocal, and do not like

those who come when they need help and vanish when they are needed for help. The Chinese Reciprocation can be found in every aspect of social activities. For example, a friend you once helped may pay your favor back by taking part in a celebration of your fathers birthday with a gift. The Chinese can not be at ease if owing somebody a favor for too long. Gifts play an important role in social activities of Chinese life. The value of the gift can suggest the intention of the gift giver. If it is high-valued, it is means the giver will ask a favor from the gift receiver. If it is a small gift, it just shows the intention of greasing the relationship. It will make the Chinese lose face if the gift is declined. Most often gifts of similar value will be exchanged between the gift giver and receiver. It is considered bribery to receive high-valued gift such as a gold, cash or brand products from business partners. Gift exchange is a common activity in Chinese social life for relatives, friends and business partners. But now it is a fashion to use small things as gifts to avoid inconvenience for both gift sender and receiver. Almost anything can be chosen as a gift now in China but you had better not choose a clock. Give a clock in Chinese is the same as saying the Chinese with the meaning of attending somebodys funeral! In the past, give somebody a knife has meant bad feeling for cutting relationship with somebody. But nowadays, it is a fashion to give Swiss knife as a gift because it is famous for its good quality. It is common for business people to hold dinners and attend dinners often during weekends or holidays. Most business people think it is the most effective way to make friends and keep friendship tight. What is more, the dinners are usually arranged a few days before a few holidays, say the New Years Day, the Spring Festival and so on for providing an opportunity for you to express your gratitude for the favor you have received from the invited.