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Quick Start Guide

Essential Chinese Culture in 5 Minutes

New to Chinese culture? Start here. This guide covers the most important cultural concepts you need to know before your first meeting, dinner, or social event.

Three Core Concepts

面子 (Miànzi)

Face / Reputation

The social standing and reputation one has. Never cause someone to 'lose face' publicly. Praise in public, criticize in private.

关系 (Guānxi)

Relationships / Connections

The network of relationships that defines how things get done. Building genuine connections is essential for business and social success.

人情 (Rénqíng)

Social Obligations

The unspoken debts and favors that bind relationships. When someone helps you, there's an implicit expectation of reciprocity.

Must-Know Tips by Situation

Business

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Business Card Exchange: Always use both hands to give and receive. Take a moment to read it before putting it away.
Seating at Dinners: The seat facing the door is the 'host seat' for the most senior person.
Toasting: Hold your glass lower than seniors when toasting. Say '干杯' (gānbēi) but you don't have to finish the drink.

Social

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Gift Giving: Avoid clocks (death), white wrapping (funerals), and sets of 4 (bad luck). Red and gold are auspicious.
Accepting Compliments: Deflect with modesty: '哪里哪里' (nǎli nǎli) - 'Where, where?' is the expected response.
Splitting Bills: Fighting to pay is expected. Let seniors/hosts win, but make a genuine effort.

Traditions

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Lucky Numbers: 8 is very lucky (sounds like 'wealth'). Avoid 4 (sounds like 'death').
Temple Visits: Dress modestly, enter with left foot, don't point at statues, and take photos respectfully.
Spring Festival: Red envelopes (红包) with even amounts of money. Never give an empty envelope.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • ×Sticking chopsticks upright in rice (resembles funeral incense)
  • ×Opening gifts immediately in front of the giver
  • ×Writing names in red ink (associated with death)
  • ×Giving gifts in sets of four
  • ×Pointing with your finger (use an open hand instead)
  • ×Refusing food or drink too firmly (polite refusal is expected, but accept eventually)

Essential Phrases

你好

Nǐ hǎo

Hello

谢谢

Xièxie

Thank you

不好意思

Bù hǎo yìsi

Excuse me / Sorry

请

Qǐng

Please

没关系

Méi guānxi

No problem / It's okay

太客气了

Tài kèqi le

You're too kind

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