Beijing
China • Asia
Imperial Capital
Overview
👋 Greetings
A nod or slight bow is traditional. Handshakes are common in business settings. Address people by title and surname. Exchanging business cards with both hands is important.
🍽️ Dining
The host orders and pays. Try everything offered. Leave some food on your plate to show you are satisfied. Toasting is common - hold your glass lower than seniors to show respect.
👔 Dress Code
Smart casual is standard. Conservative dress for business. Avoid white at celebrations (associated with funerals). Red is lucky and appropriate for festive occasions.
🚫 Things to Avoid
- •Sticking chopsticks upright in rice (funeral ritual)
- •Giving clocks as gifts (sounds like "death")
- •Writing names in red ink
- •Discussing sensitive political topics
- •Refusing food repeatedly
- •Number 4 (sounds like "death")
💡 Did You Know?
China has the world's longest wall and oldest continuous civilization
Mandarin is the most spoken language in the world
China invented paper, printing, gunpowder, and the compass
Chinese New Year is the world's largest annual human migration
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