Many travelers from abroad are confuses and frightened by Chinese customs. This handy reference tool make it easy for newcomers to Beijing to fit right in.
So come along, my alien friend! Welcome to Beijing!
The order of Chinese name is family name frist, then given name. Among some 440 family names, the 100 most common ones account for 90% of the total population. Brides in China do not adopt their husband's surnames. Among Chinese, a popular way to address each other, regradless of gender, is to add an age-related term of honor before the family name. These include: lao (honorable old one), xiao (honor young one) or occasionally da (honorable middle-aged one).
Unlike the Japanese, Chinese do not commonly bow as a form of greeting. Instead, a brief handshake is usual. While meeting elders or senior officals, your handshake should be even more gnetle and accompanied by a slight nod. Sometimes, as an expression of warmth, a Chinese will cover the normal handshake with his left hand. As a sign of respect, Chinese usually lower their eyes slightly when they meet others.
Morever, embtacing or kissing when greeting or sayung good-bye is highly unusually. Generally, Chinese do not show their emotions and feelings in public. Consequently, it is better not to behave in too carefree a manner in public. Too, it is advisable to be fairly cautious in political discussions.
Chinese do not usually accept a gift, invitation or favor when it is first presented. Politely refusing two or three times is thought to reflect modesty and humility. Accepting something is haste makes a person loos aggressive and greedy, as does opening it in front of the giver. Traditionally the monetary value of a gift indicated the importance if a relationship, but due to increasing contact with foreighners in recent years, the symbolic nature of gifts has taken foot.
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