A surprising amount of first-impression risk in Chinese business settings happens before anyone says a substantive word — in how introductions are handled and how business cards (名片 míngpiàn) are exchanged.
The business card exchange
Business cards should be presented and received with both hands, a small gesture that signals respect. When you receive a card, take a moment to actually look at it before putting it away — pocketing it immediately, especially into a back pocket, can read as dismissive. It's also customary to place received cards face-up on the table in front of you during the meeting, rather than putting them away right away.
Seniority shapes the room
Introductions in a Chinese business meeting typically happen in order of seniority, with the most senior person acknowledged first. If you're leading a delegation, it's worth briefing your team on this in advance — accidentally introducing a junior colleague first can create a subtly awkward dynamic that's hard to walk back.
Indirectness isn't evasiveness
One of the most common misreadings by newcomers is interpreting Chinese business indirectness as evasiveness or even dishonesty. A phrase like 我们再研究研究 (wǒmen zài yánjiū yánjiū — "we'll look into it further") often functions as a soft "no" rather than a genuine commitment to follow up — understanding this is less about learning a specific phrase and more about recognizing that direct rejection is often avoided in favor of face-preserving ambiguity.
Where to go deeper
This is a large topic, and etiquette varies by region, company culture, and the specific people involved — but understanding the underlying logic (面子, "face," and 关系, "relationships") explains most of the specific customs you'll encounter. See our full Etiquette & Customs guide and our Business Mandarin guide for the language and cultural context together.