| |
Handshaking Mianzi (Face) Gift Giving Family Visiting
Occasions for Red Packets How Much to Give
Suggested Gifts & Gift-giving Taboos Others
Handshaking:
Handshaking is considered formal greeting behavior in China. It is used to show respect, but only if the person is someone important, like a government official or a businessman. The grip should be firm, but not overly strong, and should not be prolonged because Chinese, like other Asians, prefer a brief handshake. After shaking hands, you may exchange your name or the title of your company with each other and then proceed to carry out the affairs.
Mianzi (Face):
Mianzi, commonly referred to as 'face', is a reflection of a person's level of status in the eyes of his or her peers. Having 'face' means you are viewed by your peers, superiors, and subordinates as one in harmony with the prevailing disposition of society. It is a subtlety that is not openly discussed in Chinese society, but exists as a conversational skill nonetheless. As a foreigner, it is not necessary to take Mianzi too seriously when engaged in discussions that may be confusing. Mianzi can best be understood as the avoidance of embarrassment in front of others. Otherwise, it can be considered to be impolite.
Gift Giving:
'Courtesy demands reciprocity', goes an old Chinese saying, and the advice is an indispensable part of social interactions. It is important to both private and business relationships. The best choice for the initial meeting is a gift that expresses some unique aspect of your country. The gift packaging should be red or any other festive color. White and black are ominous and should be avoided. It is not proper, and is even considered to be unfortunate, to take a clock as a gift or to choose one having to do with the number four, which sounds like death in Chinese. Even though even numbers are considered as good luck, the number four is an exception. Do not brag about your gift in front of the recipient, and you should use both hands when presenting it. Generally, the recipient may graciously refuse the present when first offered. In this case, you should correctly assess the situation and present it once again. If the recipient did not open your gift, it does not mean that he or she is not interested in it. It is polite to open it after you leave.
Family Visiting:
In China, a gift is also necessary when visiting a family. But it is not as complex as the above situation. Usually, flowers, common fruits and food are okay. As for alcohol, you had better check whether the person enjoys it or if they have such a hobby. During lunch time, hosts will ask you to have more food or alcohol. If you do not want to disappoint them, you can have a little more according to your situation. If you are truly full, you had better refuse directly, otherwise, the hospitable hosts will continue to refill your bowl.
If you follow the usual rules of etiquette in China, you will extend the proper respect to the people. But there is no need to worry more about the cultural barriers, for the warm and friendly Chinese will try their best to respect your customs when communicating.
A Red Packet (Red Envelope) is simply a red envelope with money in it, often decorated with lucky symbols, which symbolizes luck and wealth. It is called Hong Bao in Chinese.
Occasions for Red Packets
Traditionally red packets are handed out to younger generation by their parents, grand parents, relatives, and even close neighbors and friends during Chinese New Year. They are also popular gifts for weddings and birthdays. Nowadays giving red packets as a bonus at the year-end by employers becomes popular.
How Much to Give
It depends on the situation. If you give red packets to kids for the New Year, age will be an important factor. Usually the older the kids are, the more money they will get. For a kid of five years old, one or two dollars will be fine. It will be better to have enough money in the red packet for a 15-years old to buy something himself.
If you go to a wedding, the money in the red packet should be about right for a nice gift. Naturally you will be glad to put a little more money in it if you have a very close relation with the couple. But it should be based on your financial situation and don't overdo it. It is similar for birthdays. The red packets usually contain less money since birthdays are not as important as weddings. People often just bring gifts for birthdays. You can also bring gifts for weddings.
Giving red packets to employees prior to the New Year is also a good idea. This can be either a gift or a bonus. If it is as a gift, the money should be just right for a gift. If as a bonus, you may enclose a check in the red packet and hand it out in an office.
Suggested Gifts & Gift-giving Taboos
- Gifts should reflect the giver and the recipient.
- Consider gifts from your area. Gifts with a company logo are fine as long as they do not include things that are considered taboo and are not too showy.
- Gifts of foreign cigarettes, cognac, fine whisky, quality wines are acceptable.
- Do not give anything in sets of four or gifts that carry the association of death or funerals such as clocks, cut flowers, white objects. Do not give scissors or anything sharp as it symbolizes severing relations
- Be cautious when giving food items-it can suggest poverty.
- Always wrap gifts, but do not use white paper-it symbolizes death. Red and gold are the best. Avoid elaborately wrapping gifts.
- Never write anything in red ink.
Others
Do not eat all of your meal. If you eat all of your meal, the Chinese will assume you did not receive enough food and are still hungry.
Do not wear shorts if you attend a meeting or visit a family.
If it is the first time to see your fiancee's parents, you'd better give red pacts to them. how much? 100 yuan each is enough.
Men and women can wear jeans. However, jeans are not acceptable for business meetings.
The following gifts and/or colors are associated with death and should not be given:
Clocks
Straw sandals
Handkerchiefs
Anything white, blue or black |
