Every country does things slightly differently. China is a nation that is rooted in its history. The first Chinese civilization is considered one of the most ancient and said to date back as many as 5,000 years ago, with the first written record in IV millennia BC. Along the road to modernization, a lot of the customs that the people of China once adhered to have been eliminated, but there are still traditions that seem odd to the rest of the world.
Refuse First
Gift giving is the same in China as it is around the globe, but the biggest difference is that you are expected to refuse a gift at first offer. Sometimes, that rejection can extend to the second and third times as well. Refusal is considered being polite, if you accept a gift too readily, it gives the impression of vanity, which is rude in the Chinese culture.
Men Have Long Fingernails
In the US, men typically have shorter manicured nails and women are the ones who have long nails. In China, wealthy men traditionally either have all of their fingernails long or they have just one as a sign of their status. The long fingernails are meant to show that they don’t use their hands in manual labor.
Never Stick Chopsticks into Food
Chopsticks are a tradition in China and are used in place of a fork or spoon. Unlike a fork, however, it is bad manners to stick your chopstick directly into the food you are eating. Stabbing a chopstick into food is considered similar to how they place incense at funerals; therefore, it is seen as an omen of death.
They Want Your Picture
In America, it is common for people to stop celebrities and ask for a photo, but in China, they ask Westerners if they can pose for a picture all the time, regardless of who they are.
Spitting is Not Impolite
If you spit in public in America, it is generally looked down upon. In China, however, spitting is acceptable and natural whenever and wherever you need to do it. No one thinks twice if someone spits on the ground on any occasion.
Toothpicks are a Must on the Table
Toothpicks are something that many restaurants used to have on the way out the door. When you paid your bills, you could usually find a bowl of them to pick from. In China, if you need a toothpick during or after a meal, a toothpick is available at the table. It isn’t considered bad manners to pick away mid-meal.
Eating Unusual Foods
Every country has various foods that they consider edible that not many other cultures would consider. China is a country that has many usual foods. They believe in eating all parts of an animal, such as cows' stomachs and fish eyes. They also tend to use a lot of jams and jellies and mix rice with just about everything.
Face is Everything
Chinese are a very proud people, and they don’t believe in huge displays of affection. To the Chinese, dignity and respect are everything, so maintaining your calm and keeping emotions under wrap is very important. Politeness is also something that people in China value highly.
No Tanning
Although most Americans have curbed their craving for the sun and there has been a push to guard skin with sunscreen, in China, tans are not a thing. In the East, pale skin is the only way to be. It is not uncommon, therefore, for Chinese travelers to use a mask when they visit the beach or any coastal region for extreme shade.
They Flip Their Shirts
Chinese men have a habit of flipping their shirts up over their bellies on days when the temperatures soar. The tradition began during the Cultural Revolution area, where it was a sign of being slightly rebellious.
Umbrellas are a Necessity
In the United States, people use umbrellas when it rains to keep themselves dry. In China, umbrellas are something that they use every day to shield themselves from the sun. Being tan in China is a symbol of being underclass because of those who work manual labor in the fields.
Asking Personal Questions
Chinese people ask very personal questions right out the gate that seem to be almost inappropriate. When they meet someone, it isn’t uncommon for them to ask questions about whether you are wealthy, what your home life is like, and other things that are usually saved for later conversations in the English language. Chinese people have less of a need for privacy and also personal space.
Hanging Out Dirty Laundry
In the United States, people typically use clothes dryers unless they are in rural areas where they can hang their laundry out to dry in the backyard. In China, people hang their laundry just about anywhere. It is a much greener way to be, but it also looks very odd to the Western world. If you did that in America, you might come back to no clothes hanging.
Hot Beverages are the Norm
Chinese people like most of their drinks hot or warm. On a hot day, it isn’t uncommon for someone to order up a steaming cup of Diet Coke. In the US, the drinks of choice are usually cold or on ice, besides the traditional hot beverages that are also common in China, like tea and saki.
Pregnancy Vests
In China, there is a mandatory one-month period for women for bed rest after a pregnancy. They also have to wear a radiation vest while pregnant to protect their babies from the radiation coming from mobile devices. Not only have the vests been singled out as not useful, but some studies have shown them to be harmful.
Guard Geese
In China, some police officers will use domesticated geese instead of dogs. Geese are known for their excellent vision, they are extremely aggressive, when necessary, and they are loud. They tend to make great guard “dogs.”
Pointing is Rude
In some areas of China, it is considered rude to point to people. Although it is rude to point in America when you are singling someone out, in general, if you are pointing to a location, it isn’t considered bad.
Traditions are Important
Every country has different traditions that might seem weird to visitors. China is a country deeply rooted in tradition and many of those are not widely understood, but then again, many American traditions are probably seen as outlandish to Chinese citizens.
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