It is becoming more and more popular to shake hands upon meeting, but oftentimes, a simple nod is how Chinese will greet each other. When a handshake is given, it maybe firm or weak but don’t read into the firmness of the handshake as it’s not a sign of confidence like in the West but a simple formality. Avoid hugging or kissing during greetings and farewells.
Upon meeting or at the same time as the handshake, a business card is presented with two hands by each person. In China, most name cards are bilingual with Chinese on one side and English on the other. Take a moment to look over the card. It is good manners to make a comment about the information on the card, such as the person’s job title or office location. Read more tips for greetings.
Speaking a little Chinese goes a long way. Learning Chinese greetings like ni hao (hello) and ni hao ma (How are you?) will help your relationships and make a good impression. It is acceptable to give a compliment. When receiving a compliment, the typical response should be one of modesty. Instead of saying thank you, it is better to downplay the compliment.
If you are meeting for the first time at an office, you will be offered either warm or hot water or hot Chinese tea. Many Chinese prefer to drink hot water because it is believed drinking cold water affects a person’s qi.
When doing business in China, it is a good idea to select a Chinese name. It can be a simple translation of your English name into Chinese or an elaborately chosen name given with the assistance of a Chinese teacher or a eingeweihter Mensch!
Do not assume that a married Chinese man or woman has the same surname as his or her spouse. While it is becoming more popular in Hong Kong and Taiwan to take or add the man’s name to a woman’s name, most Chinese women typically retain their maiden last names after marriage.
1. Be sure to either accept or decline the invitation. If you must decline, it is important to give a specific reason as to why you can’t attend. If you are vague, the host may think you are not interested in having a relationship with him or her.
2. At the entrance to many homes, you may see a rack of shoes. Depending on the home, the host may greet you at the door in slippers or even stocking or bare feet. If this is the case, take off your shoes. The host may give you a pair of slippers or sandals or you may just walk around in your socks or bare feet. In some homes, a separate, communal pair of plastic sandals is worn when using the restroom.
3. Bring a gift. The gift may or may not be opened in front of you. You can suggest the gift be opened in your presence but don’t push the issue.
Not only is the choice of gift important in Chinese culture, but how much you spend on it, how you wrap it, and how you present it are equally important.
In Chinese societies, gifts are given for holidays, such as birthdays, during official business meetings, and at special events
Geschenk: Gift:
Chinese gifts can be wrapped with wrapping paper and bows, just like gifts in the West. However, some colors should be avoided. Red is lucky. Pink and yellow symbolize happiness. Gold is for fortune and wealth. So wrapping paper, ribbon and bows in these colors are best. Avoid white, which is used in funerals and connotes death. Black and blue also symbolize death and should not be used.
If you include a greeting card or gift tag, do not write in red ink as this signifies death. Never write a Chinese person’s name in red ink as this is considered bad luck.
If you are giving a red envelope, there are a few points to remember. Unlike a Western greeting card, red envelopes given at Chinese New Year are typically left unsigned. For birthdays or weddings, a short message, typically a four character expression, and signature is optional. Some four character expressions appropriate for a wedding red envelope are 天作之合 (tiānzuò zhīhé, marriage made in heaven) or 百年好合 (bǎinián hǎo hé, happy union for one hundred years).
The money inside a red envelope should always be new and crisp. Folding the money or giving dirty or wrinkled bills is in bad taste. Coins and checks are avoided, the former because change is not worth much and the latter because checks are not widely used in Asia.
Another great option is flowers, but be careful which ones you buy. Do not buy white because it is color of death. Lilies are great for all occasions, especially weddings, because lilies (百合, bǎihé) sounds like the 百合 part of the proverb 百年好合 (Bǎihé, happy union for one hundred years). Orchids and tree peony are also popular because they represent wealth and fortune. Bamboo is a great gift when you want to send wishes for a person to be promoted at his or her job.
Festival (Chinese New Year) the flower markets are bursting with special arrangements for the season. Small orange or kumquat trees are very traditional as are flowering plum and other shrubs. Lucky bamboo is always nice and orchids are also very popular. Check out any flower market or shop and you'll be able to find something large or small. If it's the Year of the Tiger, maybe you could find some tiger lilies to bring. Your hosts will appreciate the pun.
when giving money: Even numbers, except four, are better than odd. Eight is a particularly auspicious number.
when you wrap: no blue, no black, no white.
4. Guests will be immediately served tea whether you want it or not. It is impolite to request a drink or request an alternate beverage.
5. The mother or wife is typically the person who will prepare the meal. Since Chinese meals are served course-by-course, the cook may not join in the feast until after all dishes have been served. Dishes tend to be served family style. Some restaurants and homes will have separate chopsticks for serving the dishes while others may not,
6. Follow the lead of the host and serve yourself however he or she serves himself or herself. Eat when the host eats. Be sure to eat plenty of food to show you are enjoying it but don’t eat the last bit of any dish. If you finish off any dish, it will signal that the cook has not prepared enough food. Leaving a small amount of food is good manners.
7. Do not leave immediately once the meal has concluded. Stay for 30 minutes to an hour to show you have enjoyed your meal and their company.
Asia, full of riches and poverty. I'm calling; won't you come unto Me? I saw you crying, while I was dying for Asia. Millions toss in a human sea; like children needing identity; will tomorrow bring joy or sorrow for Asia. Oh, who will go for Me? Who will set their beauty free? Oh, and if they refuse Me, who will cry for asia with Me? (...) Asia, i'm the sunrise from on high. and you see Me; I shine in your eastern sky. I'm longing for you; to heal and hold you; oh Asia, oh Asia.
F. Beilharz: www.felixbeilharz.de