China for Dummies- a simple guide to surviving this very different place

Aug 13, 2008

Are you in held in the grasp of Olympic fever? Thinking you ought to hurry and make some plans to see the Games…or maybe you’d rather wait to see this awesome country after the billions of tourists, athletes and media personnel leave the billions of residents alone to their ancient history?
In light of this buzz, here are a few simple cultural guidelines that will help you win points with the locals and make the most of your time in China.

THE MEET & GREET
Like the world over, first impressions are key. Yet in contrast to neighboring Asian countries, the Chinese usually don’t bow as a form of greeting. When meeting someone for the first time a gentle handshake accompanied by a slight nod should suffice. If you happen to exchange business cards with a Chinese counterpart, proceed with care. The business card is a revered object in China, and when receiving someone’s, accept it with both hands and read it in their presence. Whatever you do, don’t pick your teeth with it.

THAT’S MR. YAO TO YOU
Say you’re in Beijing and you happen to run into basketball superstar Yao Ming. Whatever you do, do not refer to him as Mr. Ming. In China, one’s family name comes first, then followed by the given name. So Ming is the first name and Yao, the last.

THANKS, BUT NO THANKS. OK, THANKS!
If you feel so compelled to offer someone a gift while in China, know that it’s polite to refuse the present two or three times before accepting. Be persistent with the offering. Waiting for the gift reflects modesty and humility while grabbing something in haste is a sure sign of aggression and greed. As for wrapping, stick with red, which represents luck; avoid white and black as they are most often associated with funerals.

“HEY, HE CUT THE LINE!”
Waiting in line for anything in Beijing can be a very Darwinian experience of sink or swim. If you follow what your mother taught you, you’ll never see the front of the counter. Diminutive sweet old ladies will barge through you like you’re not even there. So when the occasion calls, don’t be hesitant to put those fabled American haunches to good use.

HOW DO THEY CUT THEIR STEAKS?
For those less chopstick-savvy, practice, as they say, makes perfect. To make things easy on the fork-happy cultures of the world, chopstick etiquette in China permits raising a bowl of rice closer to your mouth and discreetly shoveling it in. Amid all the hawking and spitting you’ll still have the best table manners in town. And however you wield your chopsticks, make sure to not point them at a person – akin to flipping the one-finger salute.

WHEN IN ROME
Nothing quite says wealthy foreigner like taking a taxi to hop around the city. Instead, try renting a bicycle; a one-speed, basket-sporting, brakes-not-working, local Chinese bike. It will offer the instant street credibility you covet. The sight of you on a bike should even encourage friendly smiles and brief exchanges.

DEAL?…OR NO DEAL? OPEN THE CASE!
Bargaining is the essence of China’s many markets. Perhaps frustrating at first, it quickly becomes a game for the shrewd. When you first ask how much an item is, the proprietor will likely pull out a calculator and type in an exorbitant number. You should act appalled, throw up your hands, and counter with an equally ridiculous low price. They, in turn, will often respond with a dramatic show of their own. From there, settle on a happy medium. All that work for a lousy T-shirt.