- Tipping
- Not expected or customary
- Worst gift
- A clock — sounds like "funeral"
- Worst dining slip
- Chopsticks upright in rice
- Unlucky number
- 4 — sounds like "death"
- Photo of people
- Always ask first
01Things not to do in China
The good news: Chinese people are genuinely forgiving of foreigners who make honest mistakes, and most slips are laughed off. The bad news: a small number of taboos carry such specific, powerful meanings that even good intentions won't save you. These are the ones worth committing to memory:
- Don't stick chopsticks upright in rice. Two chopsticks standing in a bowl mimic incense at a funeral altar — it reads as a death omen at the table.
- Don't give a clock as a gift. "To give a clock" (sòng zhōng) sounds identical to "to attend a funeral." It's one of the most offensive gifts possible, however thoughtful it seems.
- Don't give a man a green hat. "Wearing a green hat" is a set phrase meaning his partner is cheating on him. You'll notice green caps are almost impossible to buy in China.
- Avoid the number 4. Sì (four) sounds like sǐ (death). Don't give four of anything; you'll see lifts skip the 4th floor.
- Don't share a pear with a couple. "Sharing a pear" (fēn lí) sounds like "to separate" — an unlucky thing to wish on a relationship. Oranges symbolise togetherness instead.
- Don't write someone's name in red ink. Red names are historically linked to the deceased and to death sentences.
- Don't publicly correct or embarrass anyone. Causing someone to "lose face" can permanently damage a relationship — raise disagreements quietly and privately.
| Context | Do | Don't |
|---|---|---|
| Dining | Wait for elders to start; use serving chopsticks | Stand chopsticks upright in rice |
| Gifts | Tea, fruit, chocolate; red or gold wrapping; even numbers | Clocks, umbrellas, pears; anything in fours; white/black wrap |
| Photos | Ask before photographing people | Photograph police, military or government buildings |
| Saving face | Resolve disagreements calmly and in private | Publicly contradict or embarrass someone |
| Online | Use WeChat for everyday chat | Air sensitive political opinions on public platforms |
You will not be expected to know all of this, and a polite, curious attitude covers most situations. Memorise the big three — no chopsticks in rice, no clocks as gifts, no green hats — and you've avoided the mistakes that actually cause offence.
02Core etiquette
Most cultural missteps in China are minor and immediately forgiven — Chinese hosts are generally forgiving of foreign ignorance. That said, a few things go a long way:
- Business cards: receive with both hands and look at it before putting it away. Shoving it in your pocket immediately is considered dismissive.
- Elders first: at meals and when entering spaces, the eldest or most senior person typically leads.
- Shoes off: in homes, almost always. Follow the host's lead.
- Public displays of affection: generally frowned upon, especially outside major cities.
03Gift-giving
Gifts matter in Chinese social and business life, and the symbolism is taken seriously. The safe choices are easy once you know the rules:
- Good gifts: quality tea, fruit (not pears), premium chocolate, imported wine or spirits, or branded items from well-known Western brands.
- Wrapping: red or gold are lucky. Avoid white and black — they are funeral colours.
- Numbers: give in even quantities, but never four of anything (it sounds like "death"). Eight is especially lucky.
- Presentation: offer and receive gifts with both hands. The recipient may politely refuse once or twice before accepting — keep offering.
Clocks (sound like "funeral"), umbrellas (sound like "to separate"), pears (sound like "parting"), or anything in sets of four. These carry strong negative meanings even when given with the best intentions.
04Food & eating
Chinese meal culture is communal. Dishes arrive at the table and are shared — there is no individual ordering in the Western sense at traditional restaurants. Reach across with chopsticks if you can't rotate the lazy Susan.
- Leaving food is fine — it suggests the host provided more than enough.
- Refusing food or drink too firmly can seem rude; accepting a small portion and leaving it is better.
- Chopstick etiquette: never leave them standing upright in rice, never tap your bowl with them, and never use them to point at people.
- Tea is typically poured for others before yourself; let the most senior person start the meal.
Communicating dietary restrictions is genuinely hard. "I am vegetarian" (我吃素 — Wǒ chī sù) will exclude meat but not always fish sauce or oyster sauce. For serious allergies, carry a written allergy card in Chinese.
05Essential phrases
| English | Mandarin | Pinyin |
|---|---|---|
| Thank you | 谢谢 | Xièxiè |
| Hello | 你好 | Nǐ hǎo |
| How much? | 多少钱？ | Duōshǎo qián? |
| Too expensive | 太贵了 | Tài guì le |
| Where is…? | …在哪里？ | …zài nǎlǐ? |
| I don't understand | 我不明白 | Wǒ bù míngbái |
06Tipping
Tipping is not part of Chinese culture and is not expected in restaurants, taxis, or hotels — staff may even be confused and try to return the money. At upscale international hotels a service charge (typically 10–15%) is already added to the bill.
Tour guides may appreciate a tip; it is not obligatory but is increasingly common with international group tours. In these cases ¥50–100 per day per guide is typical.
07Photography
Most tourist sites allow photography; military installations, some museums and government buildings do not — signs are usually clear. Always ask before photographing individuals, especially monks, ethnic minorities, and elderly people in rural areas.
WeChat and social media: sharing photos of people without permission is considered rude, not just a privacy matter. The same restraint applies online — avoid airing sensitive political opinions on public platforms.
08Frequently asked questions
What should you not do in China?
The mistakes that genuinely offend are specific: never stick your chopsticks upright in a bowl of rice (it resembles funeral incense), never give a clock as a gift (“giving a clock” sounds like “attending a funeral”), and never give a man a green hat (it implies his partner is unfaithful). Also avoid the number 4 in gifts and quantities (it sounds like “death”), don’t publicly embarrass or contradict someone, and don’t photograph police, military or government buildings. Beyond those, Chinese people are very forgiving of honest foreign mistakes.
Is tipping expected in China?
No. Tipping is not part of Chinese culture and is not expected in restaurants, taxis or hotels — staff may even try to return the money. Upscale international hotels add a service charge (typically 10–15%) to the bill automatically. Tour guides on international group tours increasingly accept tips, where ¥50–100 per day per guide is typical, but it is not obligatory.
Why is giving a clock a bad gift in China?
Because “to give a clock” (sòng zhōng) sounds almost identical to “to attend a funeral / see someone off in death.” Gifting a clock is read as wishing death on the recipient, making it one of the most offensive gifts you can give. Safe gifts include tea, fruit, quality chocolate or imported wine — wrapped in red or gold, never white or black.
Can I take photos freely in China?
Most tourist sites allow photography, but never photograph police, military installations or government buildings — signs are usually clear. Always ask before photographing individuals, especially monks, ethnic-minority people and elderly residents in rural areas. Sharing photos of people online without permission is considered rude, not just a privacy matter.
What are the most useful Mandarin phrases for tourists?
The essentials are nǐ hǎo (hello), xièxie (thank you), duōshǎo qián (how much?), tài guì le (too expensive) and wǒ bù míngbái (I don’t understand). A translation app such as Pleco or WeChat’s built-in translator covers the rest — and most payment, transport and ordering now happens through apps rather than conversation.
Do I need to speak Chinese to travel in China?
No. High-speed rail, DiDi, mobile payments and translation apps mean you can navigate independently without Mandarin. Learning a few polite phrases is appreciated and goes a long way, but it is not necessary for a smooth trip.
Last updated 10 June 2026.
- CNTOChina National Tourist Office — visitor guidance
- DESKCathayGuide editorial team — etiquette & customs reference