When visiting a family for dinner in China what should you avoid doing?

Don't tap your chopsticks.
Tapping your bowl or the table with your chopsticks is considered rude and impolite. Don't use your own chopsticks to pick food from the central dishes. This is typically considered unhygienic. Use the serving spoons or serving chopsticks provided.
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What not to do while eating in China?

The INSIDER Summary:
  • There are certain etiquette rules everyone should follow when eating Chinese food.
  • Examples include not putting soy sauce on fried rice, never crossing chopsticks on the table, never sticking chopsticks straight up in rice, never popping a soup dumpling, and never flipping a fish.
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What is considered rude in Chinese culture?

Do not touch, hug, lock arms, back slap or make any body contact. Clicking fingers or whistling is considered very rude. Never put your feet on a desk or a chair. Never gesture or pass an object with your feet.
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What not to do when visiting China?

10 Things Not to Do in China
  1. Don't Talk about Uncomfortable or Politically Sensitive Topics. ...
  2. Don't Disrespect the Customs of Minority Groups and Temples. ...
  3. Don't Make Close Personal Contact, Such as a Hug or Kiss. ...
  4. Don't Expect Interpersonal Communications to Be the Same. ...
  5. Don't Forget Your Manners When Using Chopsticks.
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What are the do's and don'ts in the dining etiquette in China?

Here are some important tips for the table manners in China.
  • Be graceful and polite when taking food with chopsticks.
  • Don't make much noise when eating or drinking soup.
  • Don't talk when there is food on the mouth.
  • Don't point someone with chopsticks or play with chopsticks.
  • Pick the teeth with toothpick.
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What NOT To Do When Eating In China



Do and don'ts of dining?

DON'T. Talk with your mouth full! You may be in the midst of an enthralling conversation and feel desperate to interject just as you've taken a bite, but don't do it. Food looks great on the plate, but not so much in your mouth so chew discreetly, mouth closed and wait until you've swallowed to say your piece.
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What special rules must you follow when dining in China?

You should behave elegantly. When taking food, don't nudge or push against your neighbor. Don't let the food splash or let soup or sauce drip onto the table. When eating, you should close your mouth to chew food well before you swallow it, which is not only a requirement of etiquette, but also better for digestion.
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Can you kiss in public in China?

According to Chinese custom, public displays of affection (PDA) are not the norm and are generally considered taboo. At the University of Zimbabwe, students can be expelled for public displays of affection.
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What you need to know before going to China?

10 Things You Need to Know Before Traveling to China
  • You'll travel back in time. ...
  • It's more than Beijing and Shanghai. ...
  • The nature in the south is otherworldly. ...
  • A visit to minority villages is a must. ...
  • Reasonably priced non-stop flights from the U.S. are not a myth. ...
  • The cuisine differs from region to region.
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What are the main laws in China?

There are more than 200 Chinese laws, and the main ones include:
  • Constitution;
  • Civil Code;
  • Criminal Law;
  • Company Law;
  • Securities Law;
  • Trademark Law;
  • Patent Law;
  • Copyright Law;
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How do you show respect to a Chinese person?

Do give an appropriate greeting. If you are meeting someone in a business context, shake hands and smile. If it is someone older than you with some sort of rank, you may do a very slight bow from the shoulders (as opposed to a full-fledged bow from the waist) as a sign of respect.
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Is it rude to smile in China?

If you're from a culture that encourages smiles when greeting strangers or service people, or saying hello to strangers on the street, you may need to adjust this practice if you plan on venturing to China. The Chinese do not smile at strangers, foreign or not.
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Is eye contact rude in China?

Making eye contact in China is a sure-fire way to make enemies, not friends. The Chinese people view eye contact as a necessary tool, but not in the same way that other cultures do. In China, people make eye contact when they are angry. It is meant to challenge the other person and is a sign of disrespect.
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What are the 10 table manners?

Top 10 Must Know Table Manners
  • Chew with your mouth closed.
  • Keep your smartphone off the table and set to silent or vibrate. ...
  • Hold utensils correctly. ...
  • Wash up and come to the table clean. ...
  • Remember to use your napkin.
  • Wait until you're done chewing to sip or swallow a drink.
  • Pace yourself with fellow diners.
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Why is it rude to finish your food in China?

Always leave food on your plate in China.

Finishing your plate when dining at someone's home in China suggests the food wasn't filling enough, and that your host was skimping on the portion size. Always leave behind a little food to show the host that their meal was filling and satisfying.
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Is it OK to make noise while eating in China?

Restaurants — Noise and Smoking

Eating noisily and with one's mouth open may be considered rude in the West. However, slurping, smacking the lips and leaving the mouth open when eating can be viewed as demonstrating enjoyment of the food and a friendly atmosphere in China.
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What is the 4 2 1 rule for China?

The 4-2-1 problem surrounding the one-child policy means that only children will have to bear the responsibility of supporting both of their parents and, sometimes, all four of their grandparents in their old age, as they cannot rely on siblings to help them care for their aging family.
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What should I wear in China?

When planning what to wear in China, opt for neat, tidy, clean and conservative clothing. The Chinese people appreciate it if you dress up and you will rarely find a Chinese woman older than a teenager in jeans. Our advice is to pack casual, lightweight layers that aren't too revealing.
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Is China friendly to tourists?

Generally speaking, China is a safe country to travel around, and most people you meet are friendly, honest, and trustworthy.
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Is PDA allowed in Germany?

In Europe, PDA is also fairly acceptable, especially in major cities. However, people tend to be more reserved in Germany and the German-speaking part of Switzerland, as well as the Netherlands. Eastern Europe and Russia are also somewhat more reserved.
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Is love marriage allowed in China?

Since the reforms in the twentieth century, and the implementation of the marriage law, such practices have been outlawed. Legally the decision to marry lies in the freedom of choice of a man or woman to choose their partners.
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Can you hug in China?

In traditional Chinese etiquette, hugs are simply not an option. Although Chinese people have become more open-minded in recent decades, the idea of hugging remains a discomforting one. This is especially true for members of the opposite sex, who may feel that public displays of affection are a source of embarrassment.
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What are the rules of dining?

Dining Etiquette
  • Arrive on time and call ahead if you know you will be late.
  • Do not place any bags, purses, sunglasses, cell phones, or briefcases on the table.
  • Have proper posture and keep elbows off the table.
  • Wait 15 minutes before calling to check on the arrival status of your dinner partners.
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What is the etiquette to be followed while dining?

Use your utensils for eating, not gesturing. Keep your elbows off the table. Rest the hand you are not using in your lap. Eat slowly and pace yourself to finish at the same approximate time as the host or hostess.
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What dining etiquette is important?

The person closest to the plate should offer to the person on the left, serve themselves, and then pass the food to the right. Always pass to the right, and always include the service plate. Never use your own utensils to serve food out of a communal dish. Pass the salt and pepper together.
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