China Business Culture and Etiquette 8 - Proper Public Behavior

China Business Opportunities

This is going to be the last entry of Chinese Culture and Etiquette, next time we are going to switch the topic. Btw, I'm going on a vacation for a week, so I won't post until the end of next week. Sorry for the inconvenience caused.

Chinese will sometimes nod as an initial greeting but bowing is seldom used except in ceremonies (wedding, funerals..) . Handshakes are also popular; wait, however, for your Chinese counterpart to initiate the handshaking.

If you visit a school, theater, or other workplace, it is likely that you will be greeted with applause as a sign of welcome. You should applaud them at the same time they are giving you the clap.

Avoid making expansive gestures and using unusual facial expressions, it is not in Chinese culture to do that. Also, Chinese do not use their hands when speaking, and will be annoyed with a speaker who does.

You should however remember the implications of some common hand gestures. To summon attention, turn your palm down, waving your fingers toward yourself. When you want to point somewhere to illustrate a point, use your whole hand rather than your index finger. Chinese, especially those who are older and in positions of authority, dislike being touched by strangers.

Smiling is not as noticeable in China, since there is a heavy emphasis on repressing emotion, but you can't go wrong smiling gently. Members of the same sex may hold hands in public in order to show friendliness but public displays of affection between male and female are frowned upon. Do not hug your opposite sex as greeting even if it were the 2nd time you see them, it might make him/her feel awkward.

Do not put your hands in your mouth, as it is considered vulgar. Consequently, when in public, avoid biting your nails, removing food from your teeth, and similar practices.

Pushing and cutting ahead is common in lineups among Chinese, but they do not appreciate being cut in front of themselves.

Spitting in the public is no longer acceptable and offenders are subjected to a heavy fine now.

When I come back from vacation, we would cover some hot China business opportunities such as internet marketing, ecommerce, domain name real estate and much more!

China Business Opportunities