China Travel Tips

Different from Western names, Chinese names are only composed of two parts: the family name and the given name, having no middle name. What’s more, Chinese surname precedes Chinese given name. For example, in Yao Ming(姚明), Yao(姚) is the family name and Ming(明) is the given name.

• Be on time, since Chinese people also value punctuality a lot.
• Like Westerners, handshaking is the formal and most common form of greeting. Sometimes a simple but kind salutation is also OK.
• Pointing to others with your finger when introducing someone is regarded impolite.
• Chinese people tend to address others by their honorific titles together with their surname, e.g. Professor Wang and Master Li.
• The old and the senior are greeted first.
• A good eye contact and smile are necessary and appreciated.
• Phatic communications like “Have you had your meal?” and “Where are you going?” are just used to show friendliness and respect.
• Chinese people have a good sense of humor and ready to laugh at themselves at any time if they are quite familiar and in a comfortable relationship with others, so prepare yourself to this and be ready to do so as the Chinese do.
• Though hugs and kisses are common in Western social interactions, they are not accepted by the vast majority of Chinese people due to cultural differences.

In China, gifts are often sent in festivals, weddings, birthdays, or other occasions when you intend to express your appreciation and gratitude or just see friends off. The gifts do not need to be expensive as Chinese people believe that a small gift means a lot. Gifts are presented with two hands and usually not opened in the presence of the giver. Chinese tend to decline the gifts to show that they are not greedy so that you must offer the gift several times until they accept it.

• The Chinese usually do not feast people in their houses, and they prefer public places. Therefore, it is considered a great honor to be invited to their house. In this case, it is better for you to accept the invitation, and if you can’t, explain to them politely.
• A small gift for the host or hostess is welcomed.
• Be punctual.
• Take your seat accordingly. Usually you are not supposed to sit until the guest of honor is seated.
• You are expected to behave good-mannered at the table and show your good dining habits.
• Have your meal after the older people begin theirs to show respect.
• Do not make noises or play with chopsticks.
• It is improper and even ominous to put your chopsticks vertically into your bowl of rice since it looks like burning joss sticks at temples, which is related with death.
• Put your chopsticks in the chopsticks rest when they are not in use, or put them across the bowl when such utensils are not served.
• Usually a toast is offered by the host at the beginning of the diner.
• Bones or other inedible parts of the food should be placed on the table or utensils for that purpose.
• It is not impolite to slurp your soup, and on the contrary this shows you’re enjoying the meal.
• Picking your teeth to other’s face is considered bad-mannered.
• Be mindful of other’s need.

No, there isn’t.
You can wear casually for the Beijing Duck Dinner; however, you are kindly advised to dress up for occasions like the Peking Opera, and parties held in cruise ships in Yangtze River.

There is no special dress code for the show.
If you want to dress up, and then wear yourself formally as you do for the Tang Dynasty Dance and Music Show. In this case, gentlemen are usually suggested to wear jackets and ties, and ladies formal dress or gowns.

As many citizens in large cities know a few words of English, greetings such as “Hello!”， “How do you do?” and “Nice to meet you” are acceptable in China. Typical Chinese greetings like “nihao” and “jiandao ni hen gaoxing” can also do the job. As the herald of friendliness despite national boundaries and cultural differences, a smile may be the best voiceless way of greeting.

As for meeting, handshake is common and popular to greet Chinese. Hugs or kisses, whether on cheeks or hands, are unacceptable to the Chinese.

Face, similar to the notion of reputation, plays an important role in Chinese culture and their social life. For Chinese people, it is the worst thing to lose face, which means they are humiliated, embarrassed, debased or just yelled at.

Basically, three key concepts, namely guanxi, keqi and li, are related to gaining face in Chinese culture.
• Guanxi---the relationship between people, which is so important that it is even regarded as the criteria of personal ability, influence and maybe success.
• Keqi----be polite, humble, modest and thoughtful.
• Li----the Confucian concept of ritual, which involves proper etiquette maintaining harmony and face; be courteous.

The following are some means used by Chinese to gain their face.
• Being persistent to your ideas is a commonly adopted way to keep face.
• Criticism is conducted privately and tactfully.
• When you have to say “no”, say it in a roundabout way.
• Avoid conflicts and confrontations.
• Be respectful and modest towards the older and senior ones.