Chinese Manners Guide

Learn about basic manners of Chinese culture.

To be familiar with a new culture, you need to know about it's manners. Chinese culture also has various manners and it's very rich culture regarding manners. Some of those are described in the app like:

>> Give and receive everything with two hands.

>> Tipping is considered derogatory as it is something a superior does to an inferior.

>> The correct decorum during interactions in China always entails showing deference to those who are older. It is expected that one bows their head slightly and speaks softly when conversing with someone elderly. The advice or opinion of the elderly should never be contested. Talking back to or refuting them is considered very rude.

>> The Chinese are often punctual and will generally arrive at the designated time, particularly when meeting someone for the first time. For casual appointments or gatherings with friends or family, Chinese people tend to attach less importance to punctuality.

>> Food is often placed at the center of the table, and there are usually multiple dishes to be eaten with rice.

>> Place the foods that mix with rice in your rice bowl, and hold the bowl close to your mouth as you feed yourself.

>> Try and taste everything served as this is considered polite when eating as a guest in someone’s home.

>> Eating a lot of rice without complementary component foods indicates that you do not like the meal.

>> Do not eat the last of anything left on a serving tray.

>> If you want a second serving, refuse the host’s offer once before accepting it.

>> Leave a small amount of food on your plate when you have finished eating. An empty plate indicates that the host did not provide enough food and that you need your plate to be filled again.

>> Place any bones or seeds on the table beside your plate or in a provided dish. Do not put them back in your rice bowl.

>> Do not leave chopsticks in the rice bowl after using them. Place them on the table.

>> Avoid sticking your chopsticks upright in a bowl of rice. This is seen to resemble the incense used during funerals and thus implies death.