Greetings and Introductions

It’s not easy for the Chinese to start businesses with strangers. It is better to establish good relationships with the Chinese before business cooperation.             Handshaking is considered as an important way to show your friendliness when you first meet the Chinese.             Keep standing up when being introduced and remain standing throughout the introductions.

Business Card Etiquette

Exchanging Business Cards is essential for a business meeting. It is polite to presenting business cards with both hands. Cards should also be received with both hands too. Do not put the card in a pocket or bag immediately, which is considered rude.             When seated,place cards on the desk. This shows great respect to others and is also an excellent way to remember names.          If your business cards are printed in Chinese, be sure to use simplified Chinese characters, not the classical characters which are used in Hong Kong and Taiwan.;         Remember that China is the People's Republic of China and Taiwan is the Republic of China.

Titles & Forms of Address

The Chinese will state their last name first, followed by the given name (may be one or two syllables). For example, Liu Jianguo, in Chinese would be Mr. Jianguo Liu using the Western style.         Addressing someone by his or her courtesy or professional title and last name conveys respect. In Chinese the name precedes the title. For example, Liu Xiansheng for Mr. Liu, and Liu Jingli for Manager Liu.         Chinese who frequently deal with foreigners or travel abroad on business may adopt a Western first name, such as David Liu. They may request that they be referred to as David, once a relationship has been established.         It shows geniality if you call someone only with his first name.

Personal Questions & Compliments

Do not be surprised when being asked about personal questions regarding age, marital status, children, family, job, etc. They only want to know more about you and become familiar and then friends with you.         Unlike the Western customs, compliments are not graciously accepted with a "thank you," but rather with "not at all or it was nothing." Accepting and giving direct praise is considered poor etiquette. In China, humbleness is considered as a kind of virtue.

Social distance, Touching & Gestures

Instinctively Westerners may back up when others invade their space. Do not be surprised to find that the Chinese will simply step closer.             The Chinese do not like to be touched, particularly by strangers. Do not hug, back slap or put an arm around someone's shoulder.            Western gestures that are taboo in China include: 1.Pointing the index finger--use the open hand instead. 2.Using the index finger to call someone-use the hand with fingers motioning downward as in waving. 3.Finger snapping. 4.Showing the soles of shoes. 5.Whistling is considered rude.

Dining and Entertainment Etiquette & Protocol

Entertaining guests at a Chinese banquet is an important way of establishing guanxi.             For more formal banquets, invitations will be sent and place cards will be at the table.             Under no circumstances should chopsticks be placed in the rice standing up. This symbolizes death.                                                      There are no firm rules regarding dinner conversation. Depending on the closeness of the relationship, business may or may not be discussed. Follow host's lead.         Drinking is an important part of Chinese entertaining and is considered a social lubricant. The drinking officially begins after the host offers a short toast to the group.         It is always a good idea for the guest to return the toast either right away or after a few courses have been served.         Safe topics for toasts are friendship, pledges for cooperation, the desire to reciprocate the hospitality, and mutual benefit.         The Chinese understand if you are unable to drink alcohol. Stating medical reasons is always a good way to get out of drinking alcohol.         The most common expression for toasting is Gan bei, meaning "dry cup", or bottoms up.         The Chinese are not as understanding of tipsy guests as are the Japanese or Koreans. If you feel you have had enough, smile and politely indicate this to your host.         Do not pour your own drink. It shows a lack of protocol.         Do not underestimate the importance of participating in dining and after-dinner entertainment. It is an excellent way to build guanxi.

Gift Giving

Gifts are an important way of creating and building guanxi in China.         Chinese etiquette requires that a person decline a gift, invitation, and other offerings two or three times before accepting. It is expected that the giver will persist, gently, until the gift is accepted. Be sensitive to genuine refusals.         Chinese and Westerners differ in the approach to gifts. In the West, a sincere thank you or a thank you note is an acceptable way to extend appreciation. In China, a more tangible form, or gift, is preferred.         Never give a gift that would make it impossible for the Chinese to reciprocate-this would cause a loss of face and place them in a very difficult position.         The Chinese usually do not open gifts at the time they receive them.         When receiving gifts from the Chinese, do not open them unless they insist.

Suggested Gifts & Gift-giving Taboos

Gifts with a company logo are fine as long as they do not include things that are considered as a taboo.         Eight is considered auspicious in China. It would be great if the quantity of the object is related to EIGHT.         It is Ok to wrap gifts, but don’t use white paper, which symbolizes death. Red and gold are the best.         Never write names in red ink.