Business dining in China:

The Chinese host sits at the head of the table facing the door. As the company's guest, you should sit "directly across from him if the table is rectangular. If its a round table youll be seated to his right. It is wise to wait to be seated rather than choosing a seat If the menu is not predefined, you can expect a lengthy discussion on what to order. Just as in business negotiations, everyone must agree before a decision is made. Be agreeable, and do not suggest Western food. After you are seated, do not immediately begin eating or drinking. Follow the host's lead. The host will typically start with a toast. Then the host will begin to serve those around him. Once that takes place, you can begin your meal. During the meal, refrain from discussing business. This is a time of leisure and relationship building. Expect to be asked what you may consider very personal questions about your age, income and marital status. A safe topic is to comment on what a wonderful time you are having. Expect a lot of food to be served (upto thirty dishes) . Sample a little of each course. You will offend your host if food is left untouched. Scorpions, snake, grasshoppers, dog meat and blood may be served. Leave some food on your plate after each course. A "clean plate" is a signal that you were not given enough food, another insult to your host. Use chopsticks. Even if you are not proficient with them. When you are finished eating place your chopsticks on a chopstick rest. Never stick your chopsticks straight up in your bowl, which may remind Chinese of incense burned at rituals such as funerals. Do not drop your chopsticks either as that is a sign of bad luck. Did we mention the Chinese are superstitious? You can rest your chopsticks horizontally across the rim of your bowl. You may notice the Chinese holding bowls of rice close to their mouths, slurping and even belching. All of these are perfectly acceptable in China because they are taken as a sign of appreciation. Toothpicks are also often used between courses. As you use the toothpick, cover your mouth with the other hand. The Chinese enjoy their drinking and will expect you to participate. Sometimes they even test a foreigner's ability to handle his liquor. Note "his" as women often do not partake. Drinking is serious business in China. It helps form personal relationships. Toasts throughout the meal will signal that it is time to drink. Never pour your own beverage. Make sure the glasses of those next to you are always full. It is often seen as rude not to drink with the Chinese in a formal dinner. To maintain your sanity, either claim to be a non alcoholic or plead medical grounds as an excuse. This will let you off the hook with little or minimal drinks. Meals can be accompanied by a great deal of smoking even during the courses. The meal is usually coming to an end when the fruit is served and the hot towels given out. It is possible to leave after this stage of the proceedings although the host is unlikely to initiate your departure. Giving face comes through what you say; it can come from body language; it can come through a seemingly gratuitous demonstration that you understand some aspect of the culture; it can come from something like a proper seating chart at a circular dinner table.

After Dinner Entertainment in China

Formal business dinner normally drags for quite sometime as there will be much social talk, some karoake, and drinking contests. Most of the time, everyone is too drunk to indulge in further entertainment after a dinner. if you are just new to this partnership, you are unlikely to be invited to further after dinner entertainment. However, once you are familiar with them, you may be invited to a Karaoke, or a Night Club, or a Suana.

Note: if they are the host for the night, all bills will be picked up by them for the night, including all entertainment. It is impolite to fight for the bill or worst, split the bills.

Controversial Issues in China There are some taboo areas in social conversations with the Chinese. Try to avoid these conversational topics as much as possible. I have seen many nasty arguements as a result of these topics: 1. You must not mention that Taiwan is an independent state or a country. 2. You must NEVER praise the Japanese or be seen to be good buddies with them 3. You can condemn Mao Tse Tung but avoid critisingDeng Hsiao Ping 4. You must not praise Shanghai in front of natives of Beijing and similarly vice versa 2. Avoid discussions on sensitive subjects such as religion, politics, death or divorce.

Attire:
One of the most visible changes to the human landscape of China over the past ten years has been the change in dress code. Gone is the standard unisex Mao jacket and trousers in blue or green and these have been replaced by a much more western style of dress - especially in the commercial and urban areas.

Men should plan on wearing plain suits that are beige, brown or dark blue. Ties should also be conservative. Women should wear flat shoes (no high heels), skirts and blouses of a modest cut..

Note: Wealth is admired, so wear good quality clothes, watches etc

Women in business in China:

Women are playing an increasingly important role in China, after long centuries of chauvinistic abuse. The government of the Peoples Republic gives many of the same rights to women as men in law. there are still many discriminatory practices taking place. For eg Women are usually the first to be laid off from economically hurting businesses, and only few business leaders are women. Male personnel directors and managers readily admit that they discriminate against female applicants for certain kinds of jobs because they fear the women will get married and will have to leave. Foreign businesswomen will be treated with great respect and courtesy. They may find that, within a delegation, the Chinese defer to male colleagues regardless of the actual seniority of the western party - the Chinese assumption being that the male will naturally be the decisionmaker.