China has a long history and unique culture, some habits that are normal in your country may be rude here. To avoid awkward cultural conflicts, here are the basic etiquette you need to know!

Social Etiquette

- **Greeting**: Handshake is the common greeting way for first meet. Don't hug or kiss face, that's not common in Chinese culture.

- **Gift giving**: If you give a gift to your Chinese friend, they may politely decline it once or twice first—that's just Chinese modesty, don't take it back! Just insist, and they will accept it finally.

- **Public behavior**: Don't speak too loud in public places, like restaurants, subway, or museums. It's considered rude.

Dining Etiquette

Dining is a very important part of Chinese culture, there are some rules you need to know:

- **Chopsticks rules**:

    - Don't stick your chopsticks upright in the rice bowl! That looks like the incense for the dead, it's very unlucky.

    - Don't tap your bowl with chopsticks, that's what beggars do.

    - Don't point at people with your chopsticks.

- **Paying the bill**: In China, usually the host will pay for the meal. AA system is not very common, especially among friends. If you want to pay, you can offer, but don't argue too much about it.

- **Toasting**: If you toast someone, your glass should be lower than theirs, to show respect. And it's polite to take a sip of your drink when someone toasts you.

- **Round table**: Most Chinese meals use a round table, with a lazy Susan. You can take the food that is close to you, don't reach across the table to get food far away.

Other Tips

- **Tipping**: Tipping is not common in China! Most restaurants and hotels don't accept tips, it's not part of the culture. Don't leave tips, it may confuse the staff.

- **Bargaining**: In big shopping malls, the price is fixed. But in small markets or street stalls, you can bargain the price!