China, the biggest county in the world, a very unique culture, and a beautiful place to travel to. China has a lot to offer to our minds, hearts, eyes, and even stomachs, so it’s no wonder why it’s a big part of many peoples’ bucket list.
On the lands of China, you can admire one of the seven wonders of this wonderful world, The Great Wall, but also many other amazing things like the Yellow Mountains and the Terracotta Army.
As enjoyable as this place can be, you should do your research well before you travel to China. They are a nation that genuinely respects their traditions and can get easily offended when someone is disrespecting them – which is the last thing you want to do.
Therefore, to stay on their right side and don’t get yourself into trouble, in today’s post, we’re presenting our top 10 specific traditions in China you need to be prepared for before travelling.
1. Respect for the Elders
Chinese people have huge respect for their elders in comparison with other cultures. They consider their elders wiser because they have more life experience and that’s why they deserve more respect. Therefore you should always be respectful with the elders.
If you are going to be introduced to a larger group of people, the most respectful would be to address yourself firstly to the oldest one from that group, essay papers experts’ advice. Of course, no one would be offended, but some might appreciate your respect.
2. You’d Better Love the Crowds
Yes, China is a big country, but its population is even bigger. Therefore, you shouldn’t expect to find quiet places easily. Now don’t imagine that every place is extremely crowded, but the chances are that some places are more crowded than you expected.
As well, Chinese people don’t put so much importance on their privacy as other cultures do. While you won’t notice it at your hotel, you might notice it in public spaces, restrooms or the less central parts of the city.
3. Who Pays the Bill and Do I Leave a Tip?
In China, there used to be a very strict rule about who pays the bill at the restaurant. They are exactly the opposite of the Dutch style ,which is about splitting the bill. In China host pays the bill and it’s considered rude to not offer to pay the bill if you’re the one how invited the group.
Now the rule is not so strict, especially in amical situations and it doesn’t apply to tourists, but if you have a business meeting, you should be aware of this tradition.
According to a source from Bestessays AU, regarding tipping at restaurants in China, there are some places where they don’t tip the waiter because is considered somehow disrespectful, but at the end of the day, no one will be upset for leaving with more money in their pockets.
4. Take Your Shoes Off
As in some cultures taking your shoes off is found disrespectful, in China is exactly the opposite. Therefore, if you are welcomed in any Chinese house, remember that your shoes aren’t.
Of course, they won’t let you walk around in your bare feet, but their slipper sizes might not match your size.
5. Chopsticks Rules
First of all, you should learn how to use chopsticks. Second of all, you need to know some rules:
- It’s bad luck to stick them straight up into the rice.
- Don’t drum or lick them – never.
- Don’t make gesture while you’re holding them in your hands.
6. Bad-Luck List
Chinese people believe that certain things will bring bad-luck into your life, and that’s the last thing you want to bring into someone’s life, right? Therefore, if you plan to make a gift to a Chinese person, keep in mind:
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- Clocks, scissors, umbrellas, knives and anything that cuts brings bad luck.
- Never bring for things in four – 4 chocolates, 4 mugs. But you can bring 8 – their lucky number.
- Gifts should be offered with both your hands and never wrap them in white.
- The gift will never be opened in front of the giver.
- Expect the receiver to refuse the gift at least 3 times before accepting it.
7. Eat a Bit of Every Dish
Chinese people love to serve more dishes. Now they won’t be big, but in total will add up. Therefore, you should keep this in mind, so you won’t fill your stomach with the first dishes because they consider not eating from their every dish rude.
8. Bargaining is Cool
In some cultures, bargaining for everything is considered something you should be ashamed for, but China isn’t the case. In China, you can bargain for almost everything and you can even make yourself a deal at half price, related the sources from rushessay.com.
9. They Took Dating at the Next Level
If you were open to a romantic adventure while you are in chine with a local boy or girl, I’d suggest you think again. In China, dating isn’t the same as in other cultures. Thigs move extremely fast for them. Chinese people don’t do casual dating – when they date they plan to marry you and built a family with you.
Of course, there are exceptions – this isn’t a rule, but you must know that some Chinese people have this perspective about dating.
10. Napping on the Streets is Fine
We grew up believing that sleeping on the street is only what homeless people do. So, you should be surprised that in China people are raised to believe that you can take a nap anywhere you like as long as you feel comfortable to sleep there.
Conclusion
China is a very unique nation in this wonderful world and it is more than worth to visit. But as we already established, China isn’t the place you can travel to without a minimum package of knowledge regarding their traditions. Therefore, you’d better keep in mind very well the above-mentioned tips when you finally get there.
About the Author: Kurt Walker has been working as an editor and a copywriter in London for 3 years. He is also offering thesis help and assignment help. Kurt loves writing and is a professional content writer and journalist in topics such as inspiration, productivity, education, and technologies.
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