Face: dignity and standing
面子 (miànzi — face) refers to a person's social reputation, dignity, and standing — it can be given, damaged, or maintained and added to through how a person acts and is treated by others. Criticising someone publicly, directly rejecting a proposal, or pointing out someone's mistake in front of others can cause them to "lose face" (丢脸 diūliǎn), even if that wasn't your intention. Conversely, publicly praising someone or showing respect for their status is "giving face" (给面子 gěi miànzi).
This concept shapes everything from business negotiations to family gatherings. Criticism or disagreement is often expressed through soft, indirect language rather than being stated bluntly. Learning to notice these subtle cues — a hesitation, a change of subject, a vague "we'll think about it" — is a key skill for understanding the unspoken part of a conversation.
Guanxi: relationships and networks
关系 (guānxi — literally "connections") refers to networks of personal relationships built on reciprocal obligation. In business and daily life, guanxi is typically built slowly, through time, shared experience, and small favours — rather than through a one-off transaction. This is part of why Chinese business dealings often start with a meal and casual conversation rather than jumping straight into business.
Gift-giving etiquette
Gift-giving carries real significance in Chinese culture, but comes with a few taboos that are easy to overlook:
Avoid clocks
送钟 (sòng zhōng — "giving a clock") sounds identical to "attending a funeral," and is considered highly inauspicious in almost any context.
Avoid sharp objects
Scissors, knives, and other sharp objects symbolise "cutting off" a relationship, and are generally avoided as gifts.
Mind numbers and colours
The number four (四 sì) sounds like "death" (死 sǐ), so gifts in sets of four are avoided. White and black are generally associated with funerals; red and gold signal celebration and good fortune.
Give and receive with both hands
Giving or receiving a gift (or a business card) with both hands is a small but important sign of respect, and gifts are usually not opened in front of the giver.
Forms of address
Chinese names place the family name first, given name second — the reverse of Western convention. In formal or first-meeting contexts, using a family name plus title (e.g. 王经理 Wáng jīnglǐ — "Manager Wang," 李老师 Lǐ lǎoshī — "Teacher Li") is more appropriate than using someone's given name, unless they've invited you to do otherwise.
Dining and social etiquette
When invited to a meal, it's generally polite to let the host begin eating or take the first seat. Never stick your chopsticks upright in a bowl of rice — this resembles incense sticks used at funerals and is considered highly inauspicious. When toasting, it's traditional to hold your glass slightly lower than the other person's, especially when toasting someone older or of higher status, as a sign of humility and respect.
Personal space and physical contact
Generally speaking, Chinese social contexts tend to be more reserved about physical contact than some Western cultures — a handshake is the standard greeting, and hugging is uncommon outside close relationships. At the same time, in crowded public spaces (subways, markets), the concept of personal space can differ from what you're used to, and minor physical contact is usually not considered rude.
Etiquette vocabulary
Ready to put this into practice at the table?
Our Food Culture guide goes deeper on shared meals, toasting, and regional cuisine.
Food Culture → Business Mandarin