I have a question about Chinese etiquette for foreigners.?

Question

During the summer I'm studying Mandarin in China for about a month and a half. I'm currently a junior in highschool, but next year I'll be a senior. However, what I was wondering is: is there a certain behavior I should be following whilst in China? What are some things I definitely SHOULD DO/ SHOULD NOT DO?

When I go to China I really just don't want to offend anyone, and present and good face in representation of my state and country (U.S).

So, anyone have any tips...?

Answer 1

Look - you'll be fine - If you do screw up someone will probably tell u about it (after the fact), people will realise your just another ignorant foreigner.

The biggest thing for you is don't overreact when you see something that you find disturbing - like seeing someone take a crap in an alley, or spit on the floor of an office or elevator, coughing without covering their mouth and the list goes on...

Personal hygeine in general will be pretty shocking.

Answer 2

The chopsticks thing is the only thing I can think of. The Chinese allow for us to be ignorant of their ways. Even things you would never want to give up on like an insistence on safe driving they attribute to our ignorance of their culture.

One thing I would warn you about, however, is that you might find yourself offended by some of the Chinese practices. For example, spitting and farmer blows are perfectly normal in the city where I live. That horrible hoiking sound that comes just before a big glob of snot is spit onto the elevator floor is the worst part, and even little old ladies in dresses and heels make this sound. Men often dig in their ears with a half-inch long pinkie nail. This is perfectly acceptable too. Nose picking in public seems to be no problem, but it is considered gross to blow your nose into a tissue, so you may want to do that in privacy.

You'll need to be open-minded and I'm sure you'll enjoy your time here. Just be prepared. Chinese food is very different in China than back home. Sometimes you'll have to force back something that is questionable if you don't want to be impolite, but you don't have to eat large amounts.

Answer 3

I do not understand why the other mentioned about chopsticks etiquette... hmmm... we (I'm a chinese from Hong Kong) don't expect the foreigners can manage chopsticks perfectly, however, we would be amazed of how well you could pick up the food from the dish to your bowl with chopsticks. Let me tell you something, there are lot of local chinese can't use the chopsticks properly and drop the food on the table! (eg. my cousin who is 38 years old + her father, we seldom laugh at them and most of the time we do not care at all.)

Etiquette??? Should do / Should not Do??? Take it easy and be yourself, enjoy the culture shock and STAY CALM, wear your smile daily, you would be fine.

If ever you had done something wrong and your teacher or new friends in China told you afterwards, just try not to repeat the mistake again. You surely would be forgiven!

Answer 4

Pick up a lonely planet guide to China, I found that really handy, or go to your local library. They should have books in the China section which can provide you with etiquette tips. As for other tips, you have to get used to people staring at you if you are pretty much anything other than Chinese. They do not consider staring to be rude. Practice squatting to get used to the toilets there. Carry tissues and/or handwipes EVERYWHERE. They don't really use toilet paper and the wipes are invaluable for a variety of reasons. Get used to feeling very dirty. In saying all that though, I had the time of my life over there and wouldn't trade the experience for anything. Have a great time =)

Answer 5

I am a foreigner living in China for over a decade. I can share this with you:

Different provinces (ethic groups) have different cultures and taboos. There is no way that we can list out all of them...You will not be able to remember all of them anyway.

So, the main thing to do is observe what the rest of the people are doing... If you made a mistake, you will be forgiven because you are not local. They will understand.

Just don't try to be smart about things you do not understand...Observe and listen will take you a long way.

Always be polite and smile. That helps a lot too!

Answer 6

The best thing you can do is take a hard look at your own behaviour at home and try to detect what may not be acceptable anywhere you go: long showers, wasting food, messy room, avoiding communication, rude responses, etc. If your parents criticize you for anything, it will not fly in China either!
But studying Mandarin is a good sign of discipline, so you should do fine.... The chance to travel abroad will be a great chance to know different sides of you, regardless of where you go.
One importan thing to keep in mind in China is the social importance of food. Be sensitive to what you see respecting seating arrangements, proper use of utensils, slurping soups and pasta, trying every dish, etc. Enjoy the occasion...

Answer 7

A lot of the above advice is crap.

No body cares about the chopsticks stuck in the rice.

The Chinese are the most emotional people in public. Anyone who says otherwise is lying or has no idea how to gauge other people's emotional responses. I've seen plenty of angry, sad, happy, and depressed chinese people displaying their emotion publicly.

My advice to you is to not worry so much about offending the Chinese hosts...they really don't care what you do...unless you proslytise Christianity openly or engage in lewd and lascivious behaviour with their daughters in public.

They will, however, talk to all and sundry about every little thing they see you do, good or bad.

Answer 8

The main tip, be yourself and live the experience.

Regarding the tips related to chopsticks in bowls, the color white is for death, take at least 5 minutes to study a business card, etc. , they all make sense to a point but the main thing is to enjoy your time there.

You are not likely to offend anybody. Chances are you'll probably feel offended yourself at times but just laugh it off.


Just suck in the China vibe, the smell of food (not the smell of air), the pace of life and the feeling of being sometimes totally lost.

Have fun!

Answer 9

Hey.
I'm Chinese but wasn't born in China but in Venezuela. I came to America when I was 5 so I'm pretty Americanized but also keep to my Chinese roots. To answer your question, my older sister went to China and studied abroad for a semester from her college last Spring. She went with a group of other non Asians and non Chinese and they fit in well with her since she's considered an American too. I guess that you will be fine since the Chinese treat foreigners differently and are in awe since they don't see them much. They'll regard you as a tourist and treat you well.
Some things you should do is always say Che Che(thank you in mandarin)
And one thing you shouldn't do is give anything that is white in color. People mourn in white and it's a bad luck sign especially like a white envelope with money since ppl usually give money in red envelopes called hung pao.
And I guess the main thing is just be yourself.

Answer 10

Probably there is nothing worries. cos they offends you (kidding).
I love China and lived in there before for business.

There are something you need to remember.
They do NOT understand English at all, except foreign students, at hotel and airport.
Even you write something on paper, they do not understand.
and they use only Hanzi, the Chinese character. So they change every western name into Chinese.
eg. When you went to McDonald's, the name is 麦当劳 "Mai Dang Lao" .
and their menu is in Chinese only. They do not know what is McShake. It is called 奶昔"Nai Xi".
For me it was ok. because I am Japanese and could communicate with hand writings in Chinese letters.
And you must meet and see some inconsistent daily happenings. Just skip it, don't be stressed.
Their world and their rules are different from capitalism nation.
I could accept them. I like Chinese.