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Acceptable Public Behavior in China
Nodding is used to greet somebody.
Keep gestures and unusual facial expressions to a minimum. Chinese do not use their hands when speaking, and are annoyed by people who do.
Avoid touching, as Chinese people dislike being touched by strangers.
There is not an emphasis on emotions in China, so be careful on how often you use them.
Do not spit. Spitting is unacceptable and a fineable offense.
Always arrive on time.
Do not discuss business during the meal.
Always leave some food on your plate. A clean plate indicates that you were not given enough food, and this is a huge insult.
Leave some tea in your cup if you do not want a refill.
Slurping and belching at the table can be perfectly acceptable.
Chinese people enjoy testing the ability of a foreigner to handle his or her alcohol, so be ready to drink.
Do not tip. It is considered an insult.
Always be on time for a meeting or appointment. Being late is an insult.
If you are handed a business card, make sure to look at it before you put it away.
Not looking at a business card before putting it away results in a breach of protocol.
When presenting your business card, do it with both hands. Also make sure that the business card includes your title, and one side of the business card is printed in Chinese.
When designing presentations, keep material in black and white. Certain colors have special meanings in Chinese culture, and the meanings are mostly negative.
Do not mention deadlines. Remain patient, as Chinese like to extend negotiations beyond official deadlines.
When the meeting is finished, leave first. Chinese expect you to leave before they do.
Avoid negative replies. Negative replies are impolite. Instead of saying no, say maybe, even if you mean no. Chinese people do the same to you.
If Chinese people say things like ?this is not a serious problem?, or ?this is not a big deal?, it usually means there is a problem.
Expect to answer intrusive questions about your age, income, title, family status and other personal topics. If you do not want to answer a question, give a broad answer, but remain polite.
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