Ten Blunders to Avoid in Beijing!

In honor of the Olympics, Terri Morrison, co- author of  Kiss, Bow, or Shake Hands: Asia - How to Do Business in 12 Asian Countries offers you some guidelines for bringing home your own gold from China!

1) Do Not Greet Your Chinese Contacts with a Hug!

Chinese people generally do not like being touched by people they do not know.  This is especially important to remember when dealing with older people, or people in important positions. 

2) Do Not Kiss your Significant Other in Public!

The Chinese disapprove of public displays of affection between people of the opposite sex.  You can hold hands with someone of your own sex, but don’t get cozy with the opposite gender!

3) Do Not Call your Chinese Client by the Wrong Name!

Chinese name order is the reverse of English – the last name comes first.  So if you meet President Hu Jin Tao, the President of China, don’t call him “President Tao” (like one U.S. dignitary did!).  Tao is the President's first name, and you should not use it unless invited to do so!  He should be addressed as President Hu.

4) Do Not Write the Date Wrong!

The Chinese write the date differently than most North Americans.  If you receive an invitation for 09/10/08 – that means October 8th, 2009 – not September 10th, 2008!  The year comes first, then the month, then the day in China.

5) Do Not Be Late! 

Never be late - Punctuality is very important in China, not only for business meetings, but for social occasions as well.  Lateness or a cancellation is a serious affront.

6) Do Not Get Angry at Delays!

Experienced travelers avow that patience is the most important skill needed to do business in China.  The Chinese are very good at figuring out when a foreigner is under pressure from a tight deadline, and they will turn that to their advantage during negotiations.  Overt emotions are not considered an asset to doing business in China; if you are unable to manage your feelings, how will you be able to manage complex contractual obligations?

7) Do Not Hold your Meetings in Room 4!

Numbers hold special significance for the Chinese.  The number 4 is unlucky – it has connotations of death, and is avoided by many Asians.  On the other hand, the number 8 is extremely auspicious, and the opening moment of the Olympics was consciously selected to be a series of six 8s: 8 seconds past 8:08 on August (8) 8th, 2008.   The Chinese will carefully consider the day and hour of an occasion before scheduling it.

8) Do Not Discuss Politics, Religion, or the Falun Gong!

There are many unwritten rules of behavior in China, and websites have been brought down over content that the Chinese government considers an “ideological threat.”  Avoid controversial topics, never compare your government system to the Chinese, and focus on learning about the wonderful achievements of this 4,000 year old culture.

9) Do Not Refuse to East the Cicadas, Starfish, or Scorpions on a Stick!

If your host eats it, you should too!  Eating together is an important event – banquets are often considered a type of gift.  Delicacies are subjective, and being squeamish about eating the seahorses will not make a good impression on your Chinese associates.  If your host eats it, you should too!

10) Do Not Wrap your Gifts in White Paper!

The color white is associated with funerals.  Never wrap gifts in white, or give white flowers, or send white limos to pick up your Chinese guests. 

Excerpted from Kiss, Bow or Shake Hands: Asia by Terri Morrison and Wayne A. Conaway.

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