|
Serving
Students at
Santa Ana
College and
Santiago
Canyon College
CHINA
Etiquette
|
Introductions
Introductions
tend to be courteous and professional. The Chinese nod or bow slightly
when greeting another person, handshakes are common. It is proper
to wait for the Chinese to extend a hand first. Visitors to public
institutions may be greeted with applause as a sign of welcome; it is appropriate
to applaud back.
Names
The Chinese
are very sensitive to status and titles. Only other Communists use
the term "Comrade". If a person does not have a professional title
(President, Engineer, Doctor), simply use Mr., Mrs., or Miss, plus the
name.
Names
are listed in a different order from Western names. Each person receives
a family name, a generational name, and a given name at birth, in that
order. Generational and given names can be separated by a space or
a hyphen, but are often written as one word. Many Chinese adopt an
English first name; others use their initials. There are only about
400 different surnames in China; however, when these surnames are transcribed
into English, there are several possible variations.
Chinese
wives do not generally take their husband's surnames, but instead maintain
their maiden names. Although Westerners commonly address a married
woman as Mrs. plus her husband's family name, it is more appropriate to
call a Chinese woman Madam plus her maiden family name.
Non-Verbal
Communications
The Chinese
do not use their hands when speaking, and become distracted by a speaker
who does; avoid making exaggerated gestures or using dramatic facial expressions.
Use an open hand rather than one finger to point. To get the attention
of another person, turn the palm down and wave the fingers toward the body.
Do not put your hands in your mouth; biting your nails or dislodging food
from your teeth is considered disgusting.
Physical
Contact
The Chinese
do not like to be touched by people they do not know. This is especially
important to remember when dealing with older people or people in important
positions. Members of the same sex may be seen publicly holding hands,
but public affection between the opposite sexes is not appropriate.
Dining
It is
polite to sample every dish. The rice bowl is held close to the mouth
when eating rice. Over a dozen courses could be served at a meal
and it is polite to sample all the food choices; it is prudent to eat small
amounts of everything served. Empty bowls are refilled; food left
in the bowl signals refills are not needed and the host has provided enough.
Seeds and bones are placed on a dish, not in the rice bowl. Fruit
is served at the end of the meal.
The Chinese
use chopsticks for eating and a porcelain spoon for soup; attempts at using
chopsticks will be appreciated. Set chopsticks on the table or on
a chopstick-rest; not parallel on top of the bowl or sticking in the rice
bowl. It is considered bad luck to drop chopsticks.
Serving
dishes are not passed around. Reach for food with your chopsticks,
use the end you do not put in your mouth. It is acceptable to reach
in front of others to get to the serving dishes. Never take the last
bit of food from a serving dish. At a banquet, expect to be served
rice in an individual bowl by a waiter; the hostess will serve the rice
in a home setting.
Appropriate
topics of conversation include Chinese sights, art, calligraphy, and inquiries
about the health of the other's family. Generally, conversation during
a meal focuses on the meal itself with compliments to the preparer.
Toasting
is common in China. At banquets, the host offers the first toast
and the ceremony continues during the event. It is acceptable to
toast with a soft drink, wine, and beer. Generally, women should
not drink alcoholic beverages; businesswomen should accept a drink if offered,
take a sip, and leave it. If you don't want refills of tea, leave
some in your cup.
If you
smoke, offer your cigarettes to others in your group.
Links
to More Information
Business Etiquette
Chinese
Banquet
.
Sources:
The
Library of Congress Country Studies
U.
S. Department of State |
