Hug?<\/strong><\/li>

Kiss on the face?<\/strong><\/li>

Shake hands?<\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Nowadays, most Chinese people know that these are foreigners\u2019 greeting ways. But in China, it\u2019s not common<\/strong>. Some people don\u2019t mind, more for young generations in a big city. So you\u2019d better ask them<\/strong> if you can do these when you first meet them. You can just wave your hand to say hi and give a brief self-introduction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Also, when you shake hands with a Chinese, DO NOT<\/strong> offer a firm handshake, but please be gentle<\/strong>. Because most Chinese regard a firm handshake as a sign of hostility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
3. About gifts<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
If you want to give a gift to your Chinese friend, DO NOT<\/strong> give any following things as a gift:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Clocks<\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Why? Because if you give a clock as a present, this action is called \u201c\u9001\u949f<\/strong>\u201d(s\u00f2ng zh\u014dng<\/strong>) in Chinese, which has the same pronunciation as \u201c\u9001\u7ec8<\/strong>\u201d. And it means you are looking forward to someone\u2019s death! Sounds terrible, right?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Chrysanthemums or Candles<\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Why? Because in China chrysanthemums and candles are usually used to commemorate the dead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Pears or Umbrellas<\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Why? Because pears in Chinese \u201c\u68a8<\/strong>\u201d (l\u00ed<\/strong>) is pronounced the same as the character \u201c\u79bb<\/strong>\u201d, and umbrellas \u201c\u4f1e<\/strong>\u201d (s\u01cen<\/strong>) is pronounced similar to \u201c\u6563<\/strong>\u201d (s\u00e0n<\/strong>). Both of them, \u201c\u79bb<\/strong>\u201d and \u201c\u6563<\/strong>\u201d refer to breaking up, or saying goodbye.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here is another tip about gifts. When you give your gift to Chinese people, DO NOT<\/strong> ask them to unwrap your gift immediately. Since in China people often unwrap their gifts after the visitors leave.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
4. What should I say when I first meet Chinese people?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Since it is your first time to meet this person, you can just politely say \u201c\u4f60\u597d<\/strong>\u201d (n\u01d0 h\u01ceo<\/strong>). If the one is an elder, you can say \u201c\u60a8\u597d<\/strong>\u201d (n\u00edn h\u01ceo<\/strong>) instead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
You may give a self-introduction afterwards \u2013 \u201c\u6211\u53ebXYZ,\u4f60\u53ef\u4ee5\u53eb\u6211XX<\/strong>\u201d (w\u01d2 ji\u00e0o XYZ,n\u01d0 k\u011b y\u01d0 ji\u00e0o w\u01d2 XX<\/strong>). The translation is \u201cmy name is XYZ, and you can call me XX\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And then you can follow with the words \u201c\u5f88\u9ad8\u5174\u8ba4\u8bc6\u4f60<\/strong>\u201d (h\u011bn g\u0101o x\u00ecng r\u00e8n sh\u00ed n\u01d0<\/strong>). The translation is “Nice to meet you”.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
5. What commonly happens when you visit your Chinese friend?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Your Chinese friend would probably give you a cup of hot water<\/strong>. That is the way Chinese people treat their visitors. This is very common in China, especially for elders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Don\u2019 t be afraid. No need to drink the hot water immediately. You can just put it on the table and wait for it cool down. If you want cold water, you may just ask them politely \u2013 \u201c\u6211\u53ef\u4ee5\u8981\u4e00\u676f\u51b7\u6c34\u5417\uff1f<\/strong>\u201d (w\u01d2 k\u011b y\u01d0 y\u00e0o y\u012b b\u0113i l\u011bng shu\u01d0 ma?<\/strong>). When they give something to you, always remember to say thank you, that is, \u201c\u8c22\u8c22<\/strong>\u201d (xi\u00e8 xi\u00e8<\/strong>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
6. What can I say when I meet my Chinese friend several times already?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
If you guys have a long time not seeing each other, you can say \u201c\u597d\u4e45\u4e0d\u89c1<\/strong>\u201d (h\u01ceo ji\u01d4 b\u00fa ji\u00e0n<\/strong>), and followed by \u201c\u6700\u8fd1\u600e\u4e48\u6837\u554a<\/strong>?\u201d (zu\u00ec j\u00ecn z\u011bn me yang a, that is, How are you doing?<\/strong>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
If they ask you back, you can say \u201c\u6211\u6700\u8fd1\u633a\u597d\u7684<\/strong>\u201d (w\u01d2 zu\u00ec j\u00ecn t\u01d0ng h\u01ceo de<\/strong>). This is the case if you want to show your positive life. Alternatively, maybe you don\u2019t want to say anything about your current situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you do feel upset recently, you can say \u201c\u6211\u6700\u8fd1\u5fc3\u60c5\u4e0d\u592a\u597d<\/strong>\u201d (w\u01d2 zu\u00ec j\u00ecn x\u012bn q\u00edng b\u00fa t\u00e0i h\u01ceo<\/strong>), and also it would be better if you can explain a little bit about your recent situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
7. What if I make a phone call to a Chinese?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
You need to say one word \u201c\u5582<\/strong>\u201d (w\u00e9i<\/strong>) at the very beginning of the conversation and tell who you are with using Tip 4<\/strong> or 6<\/strong> to start your conversation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
8. About \u201c\u65e9\u4e0a\u597d\u201d (z\u01ceo sh\u00e0ng h\u01ceo), \u201c\u4e2d\u5348\u597d\u201d (zh\u014dng w\u01d4 h\u01ceo) and \u201c\u665a\u4e0a\u597d\u201d (w\u01cen sh\u00e0ng h\u01ceo)<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The meanings of these three are good morning, good noon, and good evening, respectively. They are often used in formal emails<\/strong>, but not commonly used in face-to-face conversations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Want to boost your C<\/strong>hinese?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
$\"maayot$ <\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n