Chinese Customs in SichuanFind out about Chinese customs. The customs of China are very interesting. Knowing them will help you fit in with the Chinese. Saving FaceYes it's true!It is one of the best known Chinese customs. Part of Chinese tradition is that saving face is very important. Do not humiliate anyone. Show respect to older people and people of importance. I was working at a school in Chongqing. The principal said to me students do not ask questions of the teacher if they do not understand something. If they ask a question, the teacher will lose face because it will appear they had not taught well. BanquetsFood and banquets are an integral part of Chinese life.Banquets are held for any reason - to celebrate a special occasion (sometimes not that special), to honour someone, to say thanks and sometimes simply for the sake of it. If you want to show gratitude to a Chinese person you have met, take them to lunch or dinner. They will appreciate it. Left Over FoodThe Chinese certainly have not heard of "waste not - want not".It is customary to leave food on the table at the end of the banquet. If all the food is eaten, the host will lose face because people will think he or she has not provided enough food. A good tip is not to eat everything. Your host will be pleased that they have provided more than enough food for you. WatermelonThis is a Chongqing custom where watermelon is served at the end of the banquet. AlcoholWesterners drink alcohol with a meal because it adds to the taste - the gourmet experience.Chinese drink alcohol at banquets to "loosen up" and "raise their level of enjoyment". At a restaurant, you will notice the noise level increase (dramatically!) as more and more alcohol is consumed. Be careful! If you do not drink alcohol, make it quite clear to your Chinese hosts or guests right from the start. Normally they will respect your wishes. However, if you start drinking with them, you can expect quite a drinking session. ToastingToasting is one of the special Chinese customs. Toasting someone is a special sign of friendship and respect for one person to another.You will see at restaurants and in bars, people toasting each other - again and again! The noise gets louder and louder as the night wears on. If a couple is present, you toast the man and the woman will join in. You can show your friendship and respect to your Chinese hosts and friends by toasting them. SmokingUnfortunately the health hazards of smoking have not caught on in China.Chinese men smoke everywhere such as in restaurants even when people are still eating at the table. I have had taxi cab drivers smoke while I have been in the cab. The most bazaar was a hairdresser who was smoking a cigarette while cutting my hair. Women also smoke but are much more discreet about it. I went to a Chinese wedding once in Chongqing. One of the strangest Chinese customs I encountered was the groom standing with a tray of cigarettes as a present to the guests. Seating ArrangementsIf you go to a banquet, wait to be seated.Chinese customs dictate that the order of seating and who sits next to who is very important. HospitalityThe Chinese people are very hospitable. They will take you to dinner, throw banquets in your honour and show you the sights.If they ever visit you in your country, you are expected to do the same for them. IntroductionsThere is a protocol in Chinese customs for introductions - juniors are to be introduced to seniors, younger to older, students to teachers and so on. Position and rank are very important.Business cards are highly thought off. Give your business card to the Chinese by holding it with two hands and presenting it to them. Mobile PhonesIn the West we have embraced mobile phones but the Chinese have gone even further.If a mobile phone rings, it HAS to be answered - even if the Chinese person is talking to you, or is in a meeting or an interview. It is not considered rude to stop and answer the mobile. I have seen bazaar situations with mobiles. On one occasion, I observed a senior government official giving a "motivational" speech to a group of about 100 teachers. His mobile went off - he stopped speaking mid stream while he talked on the phone. The audience just sat and waited. He had his conversation and then just started talking to his audience again. PhotographsLike mobile phones, we have embraced taking digital photographs in the West. But again, the Chinese take it to a new level.Every meeting, every occasion I went to had to be photographed. Offer to have your photograph taken with a Chinese person you have met. It will make them very happy!
Return to the Chinese customs Top of Page.
Return to Chinese Culture Food and Customs.
Return to the Sichuan home page.
|
The end of the banquet is signified by the arrival of the watermelon.