DO's and DON'Ts in China

 0    20 flashcards    marianagomes
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Question English Answer English
address seniority
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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
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DO -this is done as a sign of respect to those in a more senior position than you.
offer a really firm handshake
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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DO - chinese people can't stand unpunctual people, if you made an appointment be sure to be there on time
expose your body
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DON'T - if you show too much of your legs or neckline that can shock many locals, especially the old ones
wear green hats
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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
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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
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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
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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
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DON'T - don't offer a mirror in China because chinese believe that it attract malicious ghosts
give white or yellow flowers (especially chrysanthemums)
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DON'T- in China chrysanthemums are flowers commonly used funerals in China
bring some gift when you're invited to someone's house
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DO - chinese people like to receive small gifts such as wine or fruits
tip in the restaurant
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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
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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
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DON't- people often avoid the number 4 because "四 (sì)" sounds like "死 (sǐ)," which means "death”

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