Business Etiquette in China

Knowledge of rules and customs is essential to give the correct impression potential business partners. The following issues need some consideration:

Dress

Clothes must be worn for business. Would it be acceptable to wear smart casual clothes to an informal invitation to dinner, but do so only after noting that this way everybody dresses.

Timings

Appointments must be made in advance and punctuality is expected. Chinese cities are huge and it is easy to underestimate the time needed to cross in a taxi. Get the staff to advise and still leave a little 'before.

Company visits are provided the best so as to avoid extremes of time. The hosts should be allowed to know the local conditions. If you really must go in the summer be prepared for a cold. That's right - continuous change of temperature such as entering and leaving air-conditioned areas can seriously affect your health.

Business Cards

Business cards should be printed with a Chinese translation on the back and must be presented with both hands, while the cards received will be investigated and, perhaps, he said. It 's rude to put a card directly into a pocket without reading at least the name and job title. It 's perfectly acceptable to keep the cards on the table in front of you for reference. Never put a card in a back pocket.

Business meals

Business travelers are usually housed in a private room of a restaurant. Please wait as long as their guest for their assigned seat. During the meal, the landlord toast to the visitor. It 'a good idea to meet with your toast later.

Perhaps most important is however to be seen to be having fun. A host of China's duty to keep his guests happy and if you do not eat the heart and to participate in the discussion table, then the host will not be at peace. If you have special dietary needs or any problems on food and drinks in general (maybe you are a diabetic who needs meals in a predictable time), so better to alert the host before the event. These things should be part of the personal information provided for each group member.

It 's customary to invite the landlord to return a dinner. This should not be the same restaurant. As the host, you must remember to arrive early, seating guests and to toast to your guests. You will need to know what foods to order and make it clear to staff that you are paying the bill. You can expect to pay Chinese guests to try, especially on their home patch. It's 'face'.

Conversation

Most topics are open for discussion. It would be rude to talk about business before and during the food so ask, and prepare to ask about family, hobbies and the opinions of China. You should keep in mind that the United Nations recognizes the Government of the Republic of China as the sole government of China. You can have opinions on Taiwan and Tibet, but better keep those to yourself.

There are many other traditions minors. You should not worry too much about them or to make a gaffe. A Chinese guest prefers to smooth out errors, rather than any problem out of it. Treat every event as a learning experience and your interest will be viewed favorably .......