Yalla China · Guide · Chinese Etiquette & Customs
🤝 Social Etiquette Guide

Chinese Etiquette & Customs

What to do and what to avoid in everyday interactions, business, and hospitality with Chinese people.

5
Topics
15
Do's
13
Don'ts
🕌
Notes for Muslims
☪️

For Muslims: China has a native Muslim community (Hui 回族). Mosques and halal food exist in most major cities. Your religious observance will be respected when stated calmly.

Note: Personal prayer at your accommodation or workplace is unrestricted. Organised group religious gatherings outside licensed mosques require prior approval under Chinese laws governing religious assemblies.

🤝 Greetings & Communication
✓ Do
  • ✓Nod or shake hands — the standard greeting with strangers
  • ✓Use title + family name (Mr./Ms. Liu)
  • ✓Smile — warmly appreciated across all situations
✗ Don't
  • ✗Don't hug or kiss — not customary with strangers
  • ✗Don't use first names unless invited to
🍜 Dining Etiquette
✓ Do
  • ✓Wait for the host to invite everyone to start eating
  • ✓Refill your neighbour's cup before your own
  • ✓The host pays the bill — this is expected and normal
  • ✓Compliment the food — hosts truly appreciate it
✗ Don't
  • ✗Never stick chopsticks upright in rice — symbolises funeral rites
  • ✗Don't pass food directly chopstick-to-chopstick
  • ✗Don't tip in Chinese restaurants — can be awkward
🎁 Gifts
✓ Do
  • ✓Present gifts with both hands — a sign of respect
  • ✓Wrap nicely — presentation matters
  • ✓Lucky numbers: 6 (success), 8 (wealth), 9 (longevity)
✗ Don't
  • ✗Never give a clock (钟 zhōng) — implies counting down to death
  • ✗Avoid pears (梨 lí) — sounds like "separation"
  • ✗Avoid umbrellas (伞 sǎn) — sounds like "scatter apart"
  • ✗Don't open gifts immediately in front of the giver
💼 Business Etiquette
✓ Do
  • ✓Exchange business cards with both hands — read it carefully
  • ✓Respect hierarchy — address senior members first
  • ✓Patience is key — relationships (关系 guānxi) take time
✗ Don't
  • ✗Don't write on someone's business card in their presence
  • ✗Never embarrass anyone publicly — saving face is fundamental
🌏 Sensitive Topics
✓ Do
  • ✓Avoid political discussions with people you've just met
  • ✓Stay neutral if the topic comes up naturally
✗ Don't
  • ✗Don't raise political topics that have nothing to do with you
  • ✗Don't compare China negatively to other countries
📚 All Guides