1. Greeting people in China is much the same as greeting Americans?

False. The Chinese may or may not be used to shaking hands during a greeting. They usually bow or just nod their heads. If they offer their hands, it is OK to give them an American style handshake, but be careful not to judge them by their handshake because it might be much limper than we expect from fellow Americans.

In a business meeting, the Chinese will line up according to seniority with the most senior person to be greeted first. The Americans should line up in the same way and the most senior American should greet the most senior Chinese and then go down the line greeting the others in turn.

The Chinese do not like being touched by people whom they do not know, so avoid physical contact with them with the exception of the handshake.

 

2. Foreigners are not often invited to a private home in China?

True. It is very rare for a foreigner to be invited to a Chinese home. After hour business get-togethers are conducted in private rooms in restaurants. The host of a Chinese banquet will sit opposite the entrance door. He will seat his guests in order of seniority with the person seating to his right, the honored guest.

The host will start the meal by placing food on this guests’ plates with the serving chopsticks. It is considered rude to refuse food so a polite guest will accept all food that is offered and try each dish.

The host will then offer a toast to his guests. His guests must not start drinking until the host has offered the first toast. The guest of honor should follow the host’s lead and then offer a toast to his host. You may be expected to participate in many toasts. There is no stigma attached to being a little tipsy, but it is best to keep at least one foot on the floor and one eye open.

When food is passed at a banquet meal, the end of the chopsticks that do not go into your mouth is what you use to get the food from the serving dish to your plate. Rice is eaten by holding the bowl of rice close to your mouth and scooping the rice into your mouth with your chopsticks.

Long noodles are picked up with the chopsticks, put partway into your mouth and then slurped into your mouth. Slurping is acceptable in China. Also, using a toothpick after the meal is acceptable, but you should cover your mouth with your hand when using the toothpick. At the end of the meal, the chopsticks are placed together and on the table. Conversation at a banquet meal should not be about business.

Be prompt in China, whether it is for a business meeting or a banquet. It is considered rude to be late and even ruder to forget an engagement.