China is a country rich in history, culture, and traditions. As one of the world’s oldest civilizations, Chinese traditions run deep and have been passed down for many generations. Whether you’re travelling to China for work or fun, it’s important to know and show respect for their culture and customs. Demonstrating politeness and courtesy, called ‘客气,’ holds significant importance when communicating in China. These manners come from old traditions and beliefs. Moving forward, we’ll uncover etiquette customs that have been part of Chinese culture for centuries.
Chinese Greeting Etiquette
- Show respect by greeting the oldest person first.
- If they have rank, offer a subtle shoulder bow as a sign of respect.
- Address them using their surname with “Mrs.” or “Mr.” (avoid using their first name).
- Avoid physical contact like hugs or kisses, as it can discomfort people.
- Be careful with firm handshakes as they may come across as aggressive.
Chinese Table Etiquette
Dining in China is more than a meal; it’s a cultural experience steeped in tradition and etiquette that dates back centuries.
- People don’t choose their seats randomly. Proximity to the host (‘the emperor’) signifies importance.
- The elderly should take the lead when dining. They sit down first, get served first and everyone else should wait patiently.
- You should keep both hands and arms on the table.
- Never point the chopsticks at someone or stick them in the food because it brings bad luck.
- Because noodles symbolize long life, avoid cutting them.
- Younger guests should keep their glasses lower, and when someone says 干杯 (‘ganbei’), finish the drink, showing the empty glass.
Chinese Gift Etiquette
- When receiving a gift, it is polite to kindly refuse it before accepting it.
- Avoid objects with the number 4. In Chinese language the number 4 has the same pronunciation as the word ‘death’.
- Don’t buy white flowers as a present. They are only for funerals.
- Don’t offer watches as a gift. It indicates that their time has come.
Chinese Social Etiquette
- Being on time shows respect. Try never to be late.
- Avoid sensitive topics like politics or country criticism. People may feel offended.
- Never point at people. It’s considered hostile and extremely rude.
Chinese Color Symbolism
In Chinese culture colors carry strong symbolism.
Black (黑色): is linked to sadness and bad luck
Red (红色): represents joy and luck. Yet, avoid writing names in red as it was historically used for those sentenced to death and now for breakup letters.
Green (绿色): symbolizes harmony, prosperity, and health. Avoid wearing green hats, as it suggests unfaithfulness.
White (白色): is associated with mourning, traditionally used in funerals.
Yellow (黄色): is the most significant color, linked to the emperor. But it can also convey vulgar meanings.
Want To Know More About Chinese Etiquette?
In this blog post, I’ve shown you a few of the fascinating Chinese etiquettes that make the country so captivating. By immersing yourself in this millennia-old culture, you’ll be amazed by its depth and diversity.
Don’t have the chance to visit China? No worries! Join SPEAK as a participant and embark on a journey to learn one of the world’s top 5 languages, Mandarin Chinese. You will not only gain linguistic skills, but you’ll also have the opportunity to connect with Chinese speakers who can share even more about the nuances of Chinese culture.
Author: Arianna D’Arrigo
Arianna is a buddy trainee and ambassador at SPEAK Turin, who is born in Turin, Italy. She is a university student who attends the last year of the Faculty of Asian and African Languages and Cultures with a specialization in Chinese. In her spare time, she likes to discover the world and she really loves photography.
FAQs
- Don't tip for everything.
- Don't stick your chopsticks upright into your food while pausing during a meal.
- Don't point at people.
- Don't talk business too soon.
- Don't use first names unless someone tells you to.
- Don't be late.
- Don't whistle.
- Do be a good sport.
Giving the middle finger is one of the most offensive hand gestures in China. Sucking in air loudly through your teeth. Making a loud sucking sound through one's teeth is considered impolite in China and is often interpreted as a sign of annoyance or disapproval. Excessive hand movements.
Is whistling rude in China? ›
Don't Ever Wink or Whistle
In China, the gestures of winking and whistling have very negative connotations. They are aggressive in nature and there is a sexual meaning behind them so it's best to avoid them.
Is bowing rude in China? ›
In Chinese body language etiquette, shaking hands is a basic way of greeting someone you're not very familiar with. Do bow when it's needed. Bowing is viewed as a formal way of greeting people who you show special respect to. For example, in China, students sometimes bow to their teachers.
What is the Chinese heaven rule? ›
The Mandate of Heaven was the belief that the Chinese emperor had a divine right to rule given him by the god or divine force known as Heaven or Sky. The emperor had absolute power but also a responsibility to rule for the good of his people.
Is smiling rude in China? ›
Chinese smile for more reasons than Americans. A smile can mean the person is embarrassed, trying to be helpful, curious, happy or friendly. In the middle of an argument, smiling means that the speaker doesn't want this to become personal. When all else fails, smile in China.
Is a thumbs up offensive in China? ›
The appreciative Chinese would say ting hao de (挺好的) meaning "very good", and gesture with a thumbs up, which in Chinese means "you're number one". High officials in the Chinese government see it as a sign of respect.
What is the pinky finger swear in Chinese? ›
Among American children, a "pinky swear" or "pinky promise" is made when a person wraps one of their pinky fingers around another person's pinky and makes a promise. Something similar is also seen in China and Korea, where people link their pinky fingers and then stamp their thumbs together to make a yaksok (promise).
What does winking mean in China? ›
Winking and whistling
While you may see winking as a friendly or flirtatious gesture, whatever you do, don't wink at a Chinese person. This is seen as a vulgar gesture. The same applies to whistling.
Is eye contact rude in China? ›
A fleeting look is fine but avoid direct and prolonged eye contact in China. Steady eye contact is not appropriate, particularly when a subordinate is talking to their superior. If the gaze is too long they may interpret it as a gesture of defiance or challenge.
What Does the Middle Finger Mean in China? Showing the middle finger is seen as rude in many places around the world, including China. If you do it to someone, it means you are not showing them respect and are being mean to them.
How do Chinese people say thank you? ›
Pronunciation and meaning of “谢谢”
Pronounced as “Xie Xie,” it translates directly to “thank you.” It's versatile and can be used in both formal and casual settings.
Do people hug in China? ›
Summary/Abstract: Many foreigners who know Chinese people are surprised by the fact that the Chinese express their feelings in a completely different way than the Westerners. For example, Chinese people do not hug when they meet, even if they are close family members who haven't seen each other for a long time.
What is the taboo of Chinese funerals? ›
In general, only the parents, children, spouses, grandchildren, brothers and sisters of a loved one wear white to a Chinese funeral. Other family members and friends often wear black, navy or other dark colors. Avoid prints and bright colors—especially red—with one special exception.
What can you not do in Chinese culture? ›
Don't bow and never kiss or hug when saying hello or goodbye, as personal contact is not that common. In many areas of the country, due to traditions and religion, the head is considered more sacred than other parts of the body.
What are 5 rules of etiquette in Chinese culture? ›
Chinese Table Etiquette
- People don't choose their seats randomly. ...
- The elderly should take the lead when dining. ...
- You should keep both hands and arms on the table.
- Never point the chopsticks at someone or stick them in the food because it brings bad luck.
- Because noodles symbolize long life, avoid cutting them.
Because the existence of the Xia dynasty is debated, the Shang dynasty is sometimes seen as the first of China's dynasties. The Shang rulers maintained control for around 600 years. The period of their rule saw the invention of Chinese writing, and many later historians viewed it as China's "Golden Age." In 1046 B.C.E.
What are the Chinese 5 principles? ›
Premier Zhou Enlai met with members of the Indian Government Delegation on 31 December 1953 where he put forward for the first time the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-Existence, namely, mutual respect for each other's territorial integrity and sovereignty (changed to mutual respect for each other's sovereignty and ...
