Doing Business in China

The traditional etiquttes of dining and banquet are very complicated in China.Each place in China has its own special etiquette,even Chinese native can't know all the details.As a foreigner,you are not expected to know everything about proper banquet behaviour,you just follow the essential principles and tips.

1.Show your respect to your host.Chinese dining and banquet etiquette draws on its basic cultural,such as respect for age and position,an orientation toward group goals rather than individualism.

Such behaviours will help you show your respect or give face to your host.
Arrive on time
Dress well,dressing well gives face to your host
Happiness and keep smiling
Speak politely
Don't be rude or offended
Don't complain about the food or the pepople or Chinese Culture
If you are not ready to get drunk,make it known that you can't drink alcohol at the very beginning of the meal to prevent embarrassment.It is a matter of courtesy for the host to try to get his guests drunk

2.Follow the arrangement of your host.Such as seating arrangements;structure arrangements;toasting arrangement

The seating arrangement is determined by the host,you should wait to be seated rather than seating yoursel.Traditionally, the Chinese regard the right side as the superior and the left side as the inferior. Therefore on formal occasions, including meetings and banquets, the host invariably arranges for the main guests to sit on his right side.

Chinese banquets typically last two hours. As guests arrive, they proceed through a receiving line in order of highest- to lowest-ranking hosts. Guests are then seated. Banquets in China have definitive beginnings and endings. The principal host offers a welcoming toast to begin the banquet (or shortly thereafter), and it is customary for the principal guest to reciprocate with his/her own toast. Upon toasting, the formal meal begins. At the conclusion of the banquet, the host will again stand and toast, thanking the guests for attending. Again, it is customary for the principal guest to reciprocate in thanks to the hosts.

3.Follow the behaviours of other guests.

There are many taboos in Chinese dining and banquet etiquettes.
Don't eat or drink until the host has delivered the welcoming toast and begins eating
The host is the only person who can signal that the meal has ended-guests must not leave early
Fish is never turned over
Don't point your chopsticks directly at people and never stick them standing upright in your rice bowl
You should drink the whole glass when cheers
Expect close quarters but no touching

Nobody knows all the taboos of the Chinese dining and banquet etiquettes,every city has their own traditions.Just follow the native guest,behave as they did,then you will enjoy your dining and banquet.

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