Cultural Do's and Don'ts — Visiting China

✅

Remove shoes when entering homes

Almost always expected when entering a Chinese person's home. Look for a rack of shoes at the door.

❌

Don't stick chopsticks upright in rice

This resembles incense offerings at funerals. Lay them on the chopstick rest or across your bowl.

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Accept gifts and business cards with both hands

A sign of respect. Take a moment to look at a business card before putting it away — don't pocket it immediately.

❌

Don't tip in restaurants

It's not customary and may cause confusion or even offence. Service is included in the price.

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Ask before photographing people

Especially monks, elderly people and minorities in traditional dress. A smile and gesture works when language fails.

❌

Don't touch sacred items in temples

In Buddhist and Taoist temples, don't touch statues, altar items or offerings. Dress modestly (shoulders and knees covered).

✅

Queue patiently — and firmly

Queuing norms differ. Hold your ground in busy places (train stations, ticket windows). It's not considered rude to stand firm.

❌

Avoid sensitive political topics

Topics like Taiwan, Tibet, Tiananmen are politically sensitive. It's wise to avoid initiating these discussions.

😊

Good news: Chinese people are generally very welcoming to foreign visitors. Making any effort to speak Chinese — even just "nǐ hǎo" — will be warmly received and may open many doors.

🍽️ At the dining table

Good to know›

✓
Dishes are shared, placed in the middle
Take from the communal plates onto your own bowl. A lazy-Susan turntable is common — spin it gently.
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Let the host order and start first
It's polite to wait. If someone tops up your tea, a light tap of two fingers on the table is a quiet thank-you.
✕
Don't fight too hard over the bill — but do offer
Offering to pay is expected and appreciated; the host usually insists. Splitting (AA制) is increasingly common among friends.

🎁 Numbers, colors & gifts

Cultural notes›

Lucky — sounds like "prosper" (发)

Lucky — smooth, "things go well" (溜)

Avoid — sounds like "death" (死)

红

Red = joy & luck; great for gifts

🎁

Gift no-gos: clocks (送钟 sounds like attending a funeral), and gifts in sets of four. Stick to nice tea, fruit, or something from your home country — always offered with both hands.