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Travelling To China? Some Etiquette Tips You Must Know

Travelling To China? Some Etiquette Tips You Must Know

Image Source: Unsplash

 

China is a vast country and, in recent years, has opened its doors wide for tourists from around the world. As it was a closed country for many years, many people still don’t know much about expected behaviours, manners and etiquette protocol. This article is intended to provide a general overview of the do’s and don’ts whilst visiting China in order to avoid unintentional mistakes.

 

Independent travellers to this country will have to find out about how they should act whilst in China or prior to travel, whereas people who opt for guided and escorted tours of China will have first hand information from their tour operators. This said, the Chinese are very tolerant of foreign visitors and will usually laugh any first timer’s errors off, but it still pays to be aware of the basic rules. 

 

A BASIC GUIDE TO CHINESE ETIQUETTE

 

Greetings

 

The most important and, therefore, the first thing to consider when meeting Chinese people for the first time is of course the initial greeting. Please see below for some important tips:

 

✓ Do greet people with a handshake or nod – Bowing is not necessary
✓ Do be polite and address people formally, particularly if they are older
✓ Do make sure you greet the eldest person first as this is a sign of great respect

 

• Don’t offer too strong a handshake – this could be perceived as aggressive
• Don’t greet people with a hug – this might be your usual greeting but is uncommon in China except for family members

 

Eating and Drinking

 

You will spend a great deal of time eating and drinking in China, so you need to know the essentials below:

 

✓ Do join in on toasts – this is common practice and considered good manners
✓ Do try a little bit of food from each plate on offer and leave a little on your plate when finished
✓ Do tap the table with 2 fingers when someone is refilling your teacup – this is a gesture of thanks

 

• Don’t put bones, seeds etc in your rice bowl – use the small plates provided
• Don’t tap your chopsticks – it’s considered rude
• Don’t put your own chopsticks into communal bowls – use the serving chopsticks or spoons provided.

 

 

Image Source: Pixabay

 

Gifts

 

The giving and receiving of gifts are also another important element of Chinese culture – please see guidelines below:

 

✓ Do give and receive gifts with both hands – this is considered polite
✓ Do refuse a gift a few times before accepting it
✓ Do offer small items – cigarettes, souvenirs from your own country, sweets etc. are all gratefully received

 

• Don’t seem too eager to unwrap your gift – in Chineseculture, gifts are opened after the guest has left
• Don’t use black or white wrapping paper
• Don’t give clocks or anything associated with the number 4 which is associated with death.

 

 

So, there you have it, a few essential tips to prepare you for your China visit. There are several more regarding religious establishments and entering homes, your tour operator will be able to provide more details, or you can check online yourself prior to departure yourself.

 

 

 This article is published in partnership with Mediabuzzer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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