Intercultural Business Etiquette

China
Gestures cont’d
• Do not put your hand in your mouth.
• Avoid personal contact at all costs. It is highly
inappropriate for a man to touch a woman in public. Do
not drop the chopsticks it is considered bad luck.
• Do not rub your chopsticks together before dining. It
implies that you have been given poor quality
chopsticks that may have splinters.
• Never place your chopsticks straight up in your bowl. By
placing your sticks upright in your bowl your will remind
your host of joss sticks which connotes death.
• Do not blow your nose at the table or in public.
• Do not refuse to drink. Even if you do not drink, accept
it.
• Women should not shake legs while sitting, snap
fingers, or whistle.
• It is common in China to show one's surprise or dismay
by sucking air in quickly and loudly through the lips and
teeth.
• Spitting in public is very common.