When greeting chinese people do i need to bow?

Question

I know that when greeting someone who is japanese and korean one bows down as a form of respect... do i have to bow when greeting a chinese? ^^;;;

Answer 1

no, Chinese just smile gentle and speak softly, or just bows the head a little with smile, don't need to brow the below the shoulder area, believe me because i am Chinese. i wanted to add some more, when i grew up we only bow in event ie, when teacher came in, the student body will say: stand up, than bow, we will say: good morning teacher, than sit down starting the class, or when i started to work in Taiwan(part of China) i stand up when boss came in and i say good morning boss, so, if you stand up most of time is very polite, matter fact when i immigrated to USA 15 years ago, i start working in American company, they told me i am too polite???? take me long time to corret my politness.

Answer 2

In a recent visit to China, I saw that the people there aren't the type of people who have the time to exchange these kinds of greetings. Furthermore, Chinese culture has lost much of its value. Keep in mind China has been westernized for about a century, so in truth, a bow could even possibly be seen as silly. The only place where a bow would seem fit is in a monastery for monks, where etiquette is observed more often. A handshake usually does the job.

I am a Chinese American.

Answer 3

The answer is No. If you are in Marshell Arts and wearing a white uniform such as Tae Kwon do, you would bow to your master. When meeting Chinese people you wouldn't know if that person would be an important person or not unless you were told, then maybe you could show some respect and bow. But normal Chinese there is no need to.

Answer 4

I've like never seen people bow in China. The only place I've seen it are Chinese dramas with a setting of early China and you'd only bow towards an elder. Hand shakes are becoming more and more common in China now and some parts of China are becoming americanized

Answer 5

When I met my Chinese-American friend's relatives, I put out my hand to shake hands with them. They shook my hand, then bowed, so I bowed back.

That's the way I approach it. If they bow, then I bow back. Otherwise, I do not bow, since this is not my normal custom, and I don't want to come across as "patronizing" anyone. If that makes sense...

Answer 6

No. If you do, you may be seen as trying to mock them. Don't assume all Asians bow to each other just because you saw a Japanese movie based during the feudal era.

Answer 7

I'm not sure what you do when you're in china but if you're in America or Canada or Europe or wherever, then definitely don't bow to someone who is of chinese descent because that will most likely offend them

Answer 8

not usually, I live here and I dont even like to shake their hands as they are constanly picking thier noses.... I just say ni hao and nod my head and only shake a hand if it's offered... even then I am thinking I hope you've just washed this hand. they think western people are bad because we have a hanky, but then sit in a room of chinese people men and women for 5 minutes and see how many of then get a finger knuckle deep up their noses!

Answer 9

Depends on whatever greeting custom would be the most courteous. And you don't "have" to, per se, but it would be nice. You would want a Chinese person to give you a firm handshake when they introduce themselves, right?

Answer 10

i was able to watch chinese movies, but i havent seen them bowing whenever they greet someone.