chinese business etiquette

Foreign Staffing, Inc.

Practicing proper Chinese

business etiquette will greatly

benefit you when expanding

into new Chinese markets.

To ensure your success with

modern Chinese business

transactions, be familiar with

proper Chinese business

etiquette.

CHINESE BUSINESS ETIQUETTE

When you are confident in the proper Chinese business etiquette procedures, you

will gain new partners and clients in this northern country that will bring success

for your business.

Easily impress your Chinese colleagues with your awareness of their values and

your confidence in proper etiquette to further enhance your network across the

Chinese market.

Always use a formal introduction; routine

procedure should include greeting the

highest ranked person first.

Always use titles such as Mr., Mrs.,

Professor, etc. when addressing your

Chinese business partners.


A light, yet confident

handshake is important.

Aggressive handshakes can be

considered offensive and are

unsuitable for a business

meeting.

It is important to establish a fundamental business relationship. Start with small

talk before you move into the specific business matter.

Avoid personal contact such as a “pat on the back”. Avoid pointing when you

speak. If it is necessary to indicate, be sure to use an open palm rather than the

one index finger.


Business cards are to be exchanged first, using

BOTH hands when handing over and receiving a

card. The business card exchange is a ritual of

respect and dignity.

To avoid insulting Chinese business people,

never put the business card into your wallet

and/or back pocket. Be sure to study the card

and then simply lay it in front of you on the table

or desk.


For your Chinese colleagues, watching the

way you handle their business card is, to

some degree, an indication of how you will

handle your future relationship: will you be

careful and respectful or insensitive and brash.

Get a Chinese Translation of your business

cards which will demonstrate to your

colleagues that you are diligent, respectful,

and industrious.


Be aware of the time zone

UTC +8 (13 hours ahead of

Washington, DC standard

time). Even though China is a

huge territory, it is all

contained within ONE time

zone.


Along with avoiding personal contact,

also avoid a great deal direct eye contact.

Avoid offering gifts, as they can be seen

as a form of bribery to your Chinese

colleagues.

Never directly use the word “no”. Be

gentle and seek an alternate phrase that

does not imply a closed option. Try

something along the lines of “I’ll look into

it” or “Yes, it’s a possibility”.


Women, be sure to wear cover the body

carefully without exposing cleavage. Also,

keep heel height to an absolute minimum.

Men should always wear full business suits,

including jackets.

Avoid vivid colors, as it is safer to lean

toward conservative options.
