Those can include family relationship, occupation, or family name plus Mr. or Ms. Remember: Married women keep their maiden name. Use 您 (nín) to address adults. It is a polite way to say ‘you’.
It is also common to give a nod. Bowing is a sign of respect.
Do not touch, hug, lock arms, back slap or make any body contact.
Additionally, never gesture or pass an object with your feet.
Never point with an index finger. It is consider extremely rude.
Meetings and events always begin on time. It is common, though, for a boss or a person with a higher social or political status to be late. It is rude to be late in business situations. Planes and trains schedules tend to be on time, but bus schedules may not be kept at all times.
Dark in medium-colored, conservative suits with shirts and ties. This would be an appropriate look for men. Conservative business suits or dresses and blouses are appropriate for women. Avoid low necklines, high-heels and tight-fitting or sleeveless attire. Those are not considered suitable for business occasions. Jeans and business casual attire are not recommended at a first meeting. In warmer months, slacks and collared shirts are usually acceptable.
Business cards should be printed in English on one side and Chinese on the other. Make sure the Chinese side uses “simplified” characters and not “classical” characters, which are used in Taiwan and Hong Kong. Give and receive business cards with both hands. It is polite to look at business cards after you receive them with interest by examining them carefully. Never write on or fold a business card you are given. It is considered very rude.
They will assume the first member of your group to enter the room is the leader of your delegation. The senior Chinese person welcomes everyone. The foreign leader introduces his/her team, and each member distributes his/her card. The leader invites the Chinese to do the same.
The host sits to the left of the most important guest.
Do not insult the Chinese by sending someone with a low rank.
It is considered polite to go with the elder’s paces, so wait for the elder to eat first and then start eating too. You may also hear the elder say: Lets eat. Only then should you start eating.
Watching television, using your phone, or carrying on some other activity while having a meal is considered a bad habit.
Avoid “going Dutch”. In the Chinese culture the person who invites everyone pays all the bills. It is polite, though, to try and pay the bill even as a guest.
By slurping, you are actually complimenting the cook for their tasty food.
Always give a gift to everyone present or don’t give gifts at all.
White is symbolic of death, especially of parents, and black symbolizes tragedy or death.
The best possible wrapping papers are yellow, pink and red, which are lucky colors. Do not wrap gifts in white, blue or black paper.
Clocks —they symbolise death. Green hats- —the Chinese phrase “dài lǜ màozi” or “to wear a green hat” denotes being cheated on by one’s unfaithful wife. Umbrellas — the Chinese word for umbrella, sǎn, sounds like the word sàn, which means “to separate”. Scissors or sharp objects — these also symbolize severing relations. Pears — the Chinese word for “pear” has the same pronunciation as the one for “divorce”. White or yellow flowers — these are commonly used funeral flowers in China. Especially chrysanthemum. Gifts in four —four is an unlucky number so do not give four of anything. Eight is the luckiest number, so giving eight of something brings luck to the recipient.
Good quality pens , especially engraved ones. A nice fruit basket would make a wonderful gift for someone who is ill. Chocolates and sweets are a good fit for children. An expensive-looking perfume for a woman. A drink or chocolates when visiting someone.
