How to Great People in China

China, the Red Dragon of East Asia, is a land where rich traditions and customs abound. Although the Chinese society is exposed to the western world, its society is still heavily dictated by Confucian tradition, which has dictated the values and the social norms of China. It has also defined a way of life in which the Chinese practice a myriad of ways of greeting each other. Read on to find out these customary practices deeply ingrained in the Chinese culture, even today.

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Greeting Essentials

When navigating the unchartered waters of China, you must be well-informed on the customary ways of addressing a native. Whether it be a friendly neighbour, a monk, or even a government official, there are special addressing forms reserved for each category. For instance, you have to generally address the Chinese by their family names, preceded by their honorifics such as Mr., Mrs., or Miss. You should also keep in mind that the married women in China retain their maiden names, unlike most other cultures in the world. Remember to use these titles unless you are specifically invited by someone to call them by their names. Corporate guests are introduced by their full title, including the company name. Also, make sure that you don't hug or slap on the back as part of the greeting when you're holidaying or attending a business meeting in China.

 

Greeting Varieties

On more formal occasions or at workplaces, the Chinese are addressed using their job titles or by using it in front of their complete names or the family name. For example, a director of a company that has the family name Zhang can be called Zhang Zhu Ren, which means the same in English as Director Zang. To address established professionals in a particular field, you can use their professional qualifications like Li Jiao Shou, which means Professor Li. Some other occasions may arise where a particular person's academic authority needs to be emphasized, so addressing them based on their latest educational qualifications would be more appropriate. When dealing with close relatives, there is a form of address that resonates with the person's age. Lao and Xiao are used in front of family names, which means younger and elder, respectively. 

 

Social Interaction

When it comes to phatic communication, the Chinese reflect most other cultures in Asia by employing a pleasant smile, good eye contact, and politeness. When meeting someone for the first time, the Chinese indulge in small talk, as it's customary with the westerners. A simple hello (Ni Hao,) or questions like how do you do? (Xing Hui) are usually the polite entrances into these kinds of formal situations. However, informal situations such as hanging out with acquaintances pave the way into more relaxed communication such as Hao Jiu Bu Jian, which would mean "Long time no see!" when roughly translated into English. When you're invited to a banquet at one of the many fancy hotels in Xi An the likes of Grand Park Xian or rather, just about any other hotel in China, make sure that you arrive on time not too early or late. Arriving before or after the given time might cause you to 'lose face,' which is a concept of one's self-dignity. When meeting in-laws for the first time, the Chinese usually take a gift that reflects their wealth and the respect they harbor towards their significant others' families. In the case of dating someone from a wealthy background, one might have to save up for several months to purchase a suitable gift.

China, the Red Dragon of East Asia, is a land where rich traditions and customs abound. Although the Chinese society is exposed to the western world, its society is still heavily dictated by Confucian tradition, which has dictated the values and the social norms of China. It has also defined a way of life in which the Chinese practice a myriad of ways of greeting each other. Read on to find out these customary practices deeply ingrained in the Chinese culture, even today.

Greeting Essentials

When navigating the unchartered waters of China, you must be well-informed on the customary ways of addressing a native. Whether it be a friendly neighbour, a monk, or even a government official, there are special addressing forms reserved for each category. For instance, you have to generally address the Chinese by their family names, preceded by their honorifics such as Mr., Mrs., or Miss. You should also keep in mind that the married women in China retain their maiden names, unlike most other cultures in the world. Remember to use these titles unless you are specifically invited by someone to call them by their names. Corporate guests are introduced by their full title, including the company name. Also, make sure that you don't hug or slap on the back as part of the greeting when you're holidaying or attending a business meeting in China. 

Greeting Varieties

On more formal occasions or at workplaces, the Chinese are addressed using their job titles or by using it in front of their complete names or the family name. For example, a director of a company that has the family name Zhang can be called Zhang Zhu Ren, which means the same in English as Director Zang. To address established professionals in a particular field, you can use their professional qualifications like Li Jiao Shou, which means Professor Li. Some other occasions may arise where a particular person's academic authority needs to be emphasised, so addressing them based on their latest educational qualifications would be more appropriate. When dealing with close relatives, there is a form of address that resonates with the person's age. Lao and Xiao are used in front of family names, which means younger and elder, respectively. 

Social Interaction

When it comes to phatic communication, the Chinese reflect most other cultures in Asia by employing a pleasant smile, good eye contact, and politeness. When meeting someone for the first time, the Chinese indulge in small talk, as it's customary with the westerners. A simple hello (Ni Hao,) or questions like how do you do? (Xing Hui) are usually the polite entrances into these kinds of formal situations. However, informal situations such as hanging out with acquaintances pave the way into more relaxed communication such as Hao Jiu Bu Jian, which would mean "Long time no see!" when roughly translated into English. When you're invited to a banquet at one of the many fancy hotels in Xi An the likes of Grand Park Xian or rather, just about any other hotel in China, make sure that you arrive on time not too early or late. Arriving before or after the given time might cause you to 'lose face,' which is a concept of one's self-dignity. When meeting in-laws for the first time, the Chinese usually take a gift that reflects their wealth and the respect they harbor towards their significant others' families. In the case of dating someone from a wealthy background, one might have to save up for several months to purchase a suitable gift.