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Modern Chinese Business Etiquette Tips
By Dan Hua - China Business Expert
Here you will find our research on proper Chinese etiquette to help you do Business in China and to learn Chinese Culture. We have conducted a survey 300 Chinese participants and foreign business folks as well as interviewed over 30 individuals. We grouped the survey in several categories: Business Etiquette, Getting to Know Each Other, Gifts, and Gifts to Give. The goal was to get the best advice possible for you. Below are our findings based on the most popular responses.
Survey Participants
- 305 given a survey, 30 individuals interviewed
- 228 Chinese particpants (business professionals, government officials, students, senior citizens)
- 77 Foreign business professionals
- Countries of Origin: China, the United States, Australia, Vietnam, Canada
Business Etiquette
- Present business card with both hands and hold out their business cards for a few momentst and when sitting down put business card on the table.
- Don’t use the term comrade in China
- Call them by their first name
- Personal questions are asked (this is done to seek common ground)
- No touching like hugs or arm around the shoulder
- Personal space in China is closer than the Western norm.
- People of same sex walk hand in hand (sign of friendship), don't worry it is not expected of business folks
- Try not to eat everything off each dish, clean plates means you are still hungry
- Don’t pour your own drink, try to pour a drink for those around you first
Drinking alcohol is very important. (to get out of it, use a medical reason)
Getting to know each other
- Chinese people don’t like to do business with strangers, they definitely want a relationship first
- Like formal introduction (standing up and keep standing through introduction)
- Don’t show excessive emotion when introduced (don’t mistake that for unfriendliness)
- Handshake and maybe bow from the shoulders.
- Chinese often avoid direct contact.
Gifts
- Gifts are very important
- Chinese people decline gift three times before accepting, be sensitive to genuine refusals.
- Chinese do not open gifts when received
- Do not open a gift unless they insist
Gifts to Give
- Foreign cigarettes, cognac, fine whisky, quality wine
- Do not give clocks, cut flowers, white objects these object carry association with death
- Don’t give food items for business meetings, it suggests poverty.
- Wrap gifts; red and gold are best wrapping paper.
- Never use red ink to write.
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