China Social Culture &

Business Etiquette
By: Grayson Garrett
 China
Location: East Asia

Primary Language: Mandarin

Flag:
 Customs for business meetings
● Appearances and first impressions are very important
● Show respect when greeting someone for the first time
● Have both a Mandarin and an English side on your business card
● Present your card with two hands, with the Chinese side up and
facing the other person
● In China, business cards are treated as extensions of the person, so
you'll want to treat any business card you receive with great respect
● Stand up when others enter the room
● China is a high-context because the people appear to be “more
socially oriented, less confrontational, and more complacent with
existing ways of living”

Non-verbal symbols
● Eye contact should be brief - too much can be taken as a
challenge
● Handshakes should be soft and short
● It's considered rude in China to point with your finger, instead
point with an open hand
 Cross-cultural barriers
● Language barrier - they speak Mandarin in China
● Values - They value more personal things than materialistic

Strategies for surpassing cross-cultural communication barriers

● Become aware of the cross-cultural emotional intelligence of their culture

● Respect holidays and traditions
● Learn a few key phrases or gestures
 Cultural blunders/mistakes
● Telling someone they speak really good English
● Eating or drinking before the host
● Not accepting business cards with both hands

3 business customs of china

1. Make quality printed materials
2. Dress to show respect
3. Show up on time