China
The "three T's"-Tibet, Taiwan, and Tiananmen Square. These are rarely discussed and would be hard to bring up without sounding presumptuous
about "internal" matters.
Relations between China and Japan. Never compare them; in fact, avoid saying anything too positive about Japan.
"How many children do you have?" With the one-child policy, the answer is either obvious or best kept on the down-low.
Religious freedom or human rights, whether they apply to the Falun Gong or the Uighurs.
The Cultural Revolution. The Chinese do discuss the period, but it's best to avoid asking someone what he or she was doing at the time; people
could easily have been on either side of the campaign.
Diversionary Topics - The success of the Olympics and the speed of development.
At a meeting Twenty years ago, “Chinese fashion” meant dark Mao pantsuit uniforms; today, work clothes are still homogenous suits and ties, even on the hottest summer days. Businesswomen go without makeup and jewelry, and everyone shies away from conspicuous consumption to show they’re focused on the business at hand.
On the street Arms, chest, and back should be covered, but “China is not puritanical,” says Qin Herzberg, co-author of China Survival Guide: How to Avoid Travel Troubles and Mortifying Mishaps. “Dressing unconventionally won’t offend anyone. It’s a question of presenting oneself in the best light.” Although Chinese women wear conservative cuts, shirts are sometimes transparent, leaving the bra in full view.
At a party Exaggerated styles and silhouettes by Comme des Garçons, Martin Margiela, and Yohji Yamamoto are currently hot (in a monochromatic palette, of course).
P.S. “Chinese women would be loath to wear any footwear without straps, because it shows too much of the foot,” says Herzberg. “The style also reminds them of flip-flops, which are seen as cheap.”
Law of the Land and Rule at many hotels
No tipping whatsoever. If you must, be very discreet.
Massage Houses
10-30 yuan/massage, except in hotel spas, where tip is included.
Luggage Porters
10 yuan/bag, tourists usually leave twice that.
Hello
Ni hao; a more formal and highly respectful first-time greeting might be renshi nin hen gaoxing (phonetically, renshur neen hen gow-shing), which means “very happy to meet you.” But Ann Mah, author of the novel Kitchen Chinese and a former Beijing resident, counsels against worrying too much over formalities: “There are so many accents and dialects in China that no one can waste time picking nits about proper usage. And one of the great things about Chinese people is their general informality.” And oh yeah—no bowing here. A good old capitalist handshake will do.
Good-bye
Zaijian (phonetically, tzye-jee-en).
Thank You
Xiexie (she-yeh she-yeh). Mah suggests, “Make sure to say this with a descending cadence, as if you’re saying ‘yeah, yeah’ in agreement on the phone.”
Excuse Me
Duibuqi (dway-boo-chi) to apologize; bu hao yisi (boo how ee suh) to ask someone’s pardon.
Help Me
A tough one but easily broken down, and useful. Qing wen, nin neng bu neng bangzhu wo? (ching wen, neen nung boo nung bang-jew wuo?)—or just qing wen to get someone’s attention.
Please
Qing (ching), but only in the sense of asking for an action—for example, qing zuo means “please sit.”
