Greeting

The most popular form of greeting in China is the handshake, contrary to popular belief that Chinese people greet each other by bowing, putting their palms together at chest level.

The bow is still used in some rural areas of China, usually during family gatherings, especially during major holidays such as Chinese New Year. While bowing, the person should cover one hand with the other one at chest level, moving the hands, thus folded, up and down.

The host is the initiator of the handshake at the beginning of the meeting, but when the meeting is over, it is the guest who should be the first to extend his or her hand to say goodbye.

The person in a higher position or older usually takes the initiative in the handshake. In this case, the recipient uses both hands as a sign of greeting.

The handshake should not be too long or too quick, but should be simple and easy, not too vigorous.

Throughout the meeting, maintain unobtrusive eye contact and try to be friendly and helpful.

Hugging, kissing, patting on the shoulder or back, and touching in general are not accepted in this culture.

If you are introduced to a group of Chinese people, they may start applauding as a sign of greeting. Do the same in return, it will be perceived as a polite move on your part.

Introduction

When greeting, it is important to choose the correct form of address. If you know your partner's job title, use it when speaking, e.g. Manager Wang, President Li, Chairman Mao.

It is also common to address your interlocutor using their professional qualifications or job title or academic degree, e.g. Professor Zhang, Lawyer Zheng, Engineer Wu, Dr He, Officer Zhao.

In the absence of any professional or other distinctions, address your partner using polite forms of address in English, e.g. Mr Zhang, Mrs Zheng, Miss Wu.

In Chinese culture, the following greeting order is followed: an older person greets a younger one; a higher-status person - a lower-status person; a teacher greets a student; a woman - a man; a superior greets a subordinate; a married person - a single person.

Exchange of Business Cards

Business cards in China are usually in Chinese and English.

Of the two or three names on a Chinese business card, the surname always comes first. This is what you should use when addressing a Chinese partner.

For a business card, choose the black colour (the most common), and avoid the red colour. Gold colour means the highest level of respect.

When handing a business card to your partner, hold it with two hands, the text in Chinese should be on the front side. When receiving the business card of the other person, also hold it for a while with two hands, look carefully at the text, and then put it in front of you on the table or in a business card holder.

Small Talk: Overview

Chinese attach great importance to developing and maintaining relationships. This is especially important in contacts with foreign partners. Small talk with the Chinese party is important.

At the start of your contacts, the conversation will be mainly around topics related to business or profession.

As the contact deepens, the topics will change and the conversation will include family, religion, income, and career opportunities within the company. These questions are not considered "uncomfortable", it's just that the Chinese want to get to know you better.

If you are asked a question that you prefer not to answer, simply tell your Chinese interlocutor that you do not have an answer to that question. This response will be taken quite normally.

While communicating the Chinese make very limited use of body language and are somewhat suspicious of those who gesticulate excessively. Showing emotions during a conversation is not welcomed.

Formality, modesty and simplicity - these are the words you can use when building relationships with Chinese partners.

Very often the conversation with Chinese entrepreneurs is conducted through an interpreter. When speaking, it is important to address your Chinese partner, not the interpreter.

Preferred Topics

The following topics are safe: weather, local food, clothes, hobbies, Chinese culture.

The Chinese will be pleased if you say something nice about their hospitality, the food offered to you, cultural events or the country in general.

Other countries and regions are also of interest to the Chinese, which can also be appropriate topics.

The Chinese are patriots of their country, so they will gladly support a conversation about the Chinese economic miracle or the successes of Chinese entrepreneurs, athletes, etc.

Taboo Topics

The first on the list of dangerous topics is politics, which in the case of China covers such issues as respect for human rights, freedom and democracy in the country, the situation around Tibet and the activities of the Dalai Lama.

The events in Tiananmen Square are a painful memory for the Chinese, as well as the events in Hong Kong and the Taiwan issue. Many are still sensitive to the topic of the Cultural Revolution in China.

Do not criticise the government or the Communist Party in the presence of Chinese partners, as this will be badly received.

Personal Space

In socialising, the Chinese feel comfortable being a little more than an arm's length away from each other. When meeting strangers (especially foreigners), they increase this distance slightly.

Physical contact during communication is not accepted in Chinese society. Touching is only possible between people who know each other well and for a long time. The exception is handshakes as a form of greeting.

Direct eye contact is preferable to indirect eye contact. However, it should not be too prolonged. In a conversation with an older stranger, a younger person may respectfully tilt his or her head, lowering his or her gaze.

Communication Specifics

Initial contact with potential Chinese partners is often only possible through an intermediary. This can be a person with whom they are personally acquainted.

For the Chinese, connections, relationships, and contacts that they establish and maintain on a personal level over a long period of time are of great importance. This is the basis for building trust.

In this regard, the Chinese assume that quite a lot of information is already known to the other party and often present their thoughts in a condensed manner, omitting many (perhaps important) details.

2 main commandments of communication in Chinese culture: to preserve harmony and not to let the interlocutor's face be lost. In this regard, harsh criticism, categorical refusal, attempts to create conflict will be poorly received in this society.

If possible, try not to say "no", to impress by talking about your achievements, don’t show your emotions.

Silence is an important feature of communication in Chinese culture. Your Chinese partner may take a very significant pause before giving an answer. This means that he/she is thinking about his/her decision or reaction to your phrase, thus emphasising his/her respectful and polite attitude to the interlocutor.

You should not interrupt the speaker or interrupt pauses of silence during a conversation. It is not advisable to speak too loudly or behave defiantly.