Chinese Conversation and Social Etiquette

Do (Know)
  • Each family learned 100 English phrases before the 2008 Olympics.
  • People may ask some intimate questions.
  • Chinese people have less sense of privacy.
  • When having a conversation, people tend to stand very close to you.
  • They love to use nicknames to each other while talking.
  • Chinese natives do not like to give negative responses.
  • Address the person with their last name.
  • Do know that Chinese people write their last name first then their first name? For example, "Smith John."
  • Married women can keep their family name.
  • Use a title when speaking with a person, such as Doctor Chang.
  • Do introduce yourself to the oldest or most prestigious person first when you arrive in a group setting.
  • People may clap when they greet each other. This gesture can substituted for shaking hands.
  • Don't call out a person's first name if they are not your close friend.
  • In small cities, Chinese people may not shake your hand when you extend it.
  • Don't kiss or hug when saying "Hello" or "Goodbye."
So, how many times have you...

As part of the preparation for the 2008 Olympics, the Chinese government required each person in the household to learn about 100 English phrases. If you plan to travel to China during or after the Olympics, you do not have to worry about the language barrier as much as before.

In conversation, Chinese people may ask some very intimate questions such as:

  • Where are you from? (questions will get better)
  • Are you married? (even better)
  • How old are you? (Can the questions get any better? Oh yes, it can)
  • How much do you make? (Ding ding, this is a very common question to be asked)

When talking to each other, Chinese people will stand very close. Personal space is less important to the Chinese than it is to the Westerner. At first, I thought the reason is because the people do not have enough land, but I was wrong. If you want to know more about this please goes to the body language section.

Chinese people tend to not give a negative response when you ask a question. If it is your first time travelling to the country, this custom is very good to know beforehand. For example, if you ask "Is this way goes to the school?" even it's wrong, they may still say "Yes."

China night time

Solution? Ask the people more specific questions such as "Where is the school?" The key is to avoid yes or no question.

When doing business, the same rule applies. Instead of asking, "Can you deliver the phone by Saturday?" you may ask "When can you deliver the phone?" The second question will be more effective.

When people answer the phone, they may say "Wei, Wei" (pronoun as way, way) meaning "Hello."

The Chinese people love to use nicknames to each other as a sign of closeness and friendship. The most common is "Xiao" meaning short and young people, and "Lao" for older person.

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Raphita Tobing