Manners Conducted During A Business

In China, bowing and nodding to your host is the most common greeting however a handshake is only offered when the Chinese offer their hands first. Bowing is generally reserved as a sign of respect for elders and ancestor. Introductions are formal so we must greet them by saying “Ni Hao” means Hello and use their formal title and introduce us from the oldest to the youngest. The clapping of hands is a sign of welcome when meeting a crowd of Chinese, the same is also expected in return. As time is always limited, we must make an appointment and give our contact’s information before meeting them. This is a sign of respect and sincerity to have a good business relationship with them.

When we are exchanging card, we must use both of our hands to receive/give the card. To lead a meeting with the Chinese, it is best that a person who is in higher rank such as a manager contact the other party as Chinese people values rank and status. When we are speaking to them, it’s best to just go straight to the point. Chinese like most of the Asians people will do anything to save face and make guest happy even if it means misleading them. They rather tell you what they think you want to hear instead of the unpleasant truth so we must let the Chinese to understand that we want the truth and do not twist and turn the facts.

For the first meeting, we must present a small gift to them to be polite. Avoid giving anything in green or white colour because green is a symbol of cuckoldry and white is the symbol of death. Things such as clock and handkerchief  should also be avoided as it is auspicious to them. In terms of clothing, we cannot wear casual dress such as jeans for business meetings. We must dress formal and female’s staff should not wear too sexy or revealing clothes because Chinese’s businessman will think they are offensive to them and distracting.

As the meeting ends, we must wait for the Chinese to leave first before we do. When the Chinese say farewell after a visit or meeting together, they simply go. It is considered appropriate to just give a quick bow or handshake and say “Zai Jian” means goodbye and “Xie Xie” means thank you.