Visiting China is an experience everyone should have in his or her lifetime. In addition to being geographically and culturally different from the United States, the Chinese have a unique philosophy and set of social rules that may be difficult for an outsider to understand. It is only to be expected that if you are studying abroad in China, you will do or say the wrong thing at some point. Some preparation before your trip can help you to better navigate the Chinese culture and improve your social interactions with the people you will meet.
As a Communist country with a philosophy of social collectivism, most Chinese people behave with the goal of promoting collective harmony. Whereas Americans tend to value the individual experience and opinion, the Chinese feel that the collective experience should be valued above that of the individual. Therefore, in group settings and even in your study-abroad classes, you'll find that most Chinese strive to preserve the honor and harmony of the group at large.
What does it mean to preserve the honor of everyone? For most Chinese, this means not publicly disagreeing with another person or expressing disagreement in facial expression. Most Chinese wear a neutral expression and even avoid making eye contact. You can avoid making others uncomfortable by behaving as the Chinese do. Refrain from expressing strong opinions. Do not contradict others when speaking or express your disagreement nonverbally. Especially do not contradict your professor in your classes.
Respect for elders is extremely important in China. When greeting others while studying abroad in China, greet the oldest person in the group first. Do not make assumptions about using first name when addressing people you do not know very well. Always use their formal name until told otherwise. It is respectful to look at the ground when greeting someone. The Chinese also display reverence for educators, so be respectful of your teachers and professors.
If you are invited to dine with a Chinese family when you are studying abroad, you must be careful to observe the etiquette associated with meals. Being invited to another's home should be viewed as a great honor, and you should bring a small gift to your host. Food items are usually an appropriate gift. Do not bring four of anything, however, as this is considered to be an unlucky number. Also avoid bringing flowers, which are associated with death.
Your host will tell you where to sit, and he or she will begin eating first. It is polite to take a little of everything which you are served, and to express your enjoyment of the meal. In the Chinese culture, making gustatory sounds or belching is not impolite, as it expresses enjoyment of the food provided by your host. If you are studying abroad in China, you should be a gracious guest.
If you are going out to dinner with Chinese acquaintances when you are studying abroad, the question of who pays the bill is a touchy subject. You should observe some general customs about who pays for dinner in Chinese society. A man dining with a woman customarily pays for the meal. The wealthier person pays for a less wealthy person. Someone who is higher in the social hierarchy, such as a professor, always pays. For example, an older person will pay for a younger person. If you upset these customs, you may cause embarrassment for your dining companion.
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