If you are unfamiliar with China on your first visit here, or if you've lived here for ten years and just don't get out very often, you might not know how to behave around your eastern neighbors. China isn't as different as many people think, and foreigners do have a little leeway in their behavior, but there are still a few things that can end up embarrassing, humiliating, unrewarding, unproductive or just plain damaging. For your perusal and edification, here are a few things not to do in China.

Photo: isforinsects

1) Get Angry
China can be frustrating at times, but losing your temper with the shop owner or the customs official is not only bad form, but can lead to big problems. Despite the loss of much Chinese etiquette over the past century, many Chinese still respect discretion, manners and politeness. Though not as hyper-discreet as their Japanese neighbors, many people will respond to your anger with total non-cooperation. That's bad for you. Some will just get angry back. You could always counter-argue and say ‘Hey, Chinese lose their tempers too, so why should I care?’ but this argument hardly justifies screaming at the cabbie, nor does is do away with the obvious possible consequences. Besides, plenty of modern Chinese behavior would leave Confucius rolling over in his grave.

2) Embarrass Someone
China still respects honor, and honor is a public thing. It is best to be especially careful in China about embarrassing anyone or otherwise causing them to lose face. That includes disrespect, insult and criticism, among other things. If you need to communicate something negative in the most urgent and pressing way, it is better to do it in private. If you do it in front of others, it is humiliating.

3) Show It Off
You have my sympathies if you think 100-degree heat and a humidity level nearing that of Jupiter is oppressive, but you'd definitely be put in a certain category if you trot through town baring your hulking chest. Not only do Chinese not seek out the tan like we do (most avoid it), but would look on such displays as either silly, or immodest, which in all fairness they are. Even in a village area, the only people I've seen shirtless on the street are a handful of laborers and a few toothless, card-playing old men drinking liquor. It's advisable to save the displays of upper-body for grueling sports only, and when playing in the heat.

The same basic principle applies to women. Despite the 90-foot billboards of half-naked females to the contrary, most Chinese still respect the virtue of modesty, and would not look well on you dressing like Britney Spears. So unless you enjoy being ogled on the bus or approached by strange guys on the street, it's best to keep the clothes on. China is not a nudist colony.

4. Let Your Visa Expire
Merely a few years ago, travel used to be easier in China for Westerners. These days they've decided to add more immigration rules. Slipping through the airport just a few days after the visa expires is not really going to happen. You will get fined for every day that you have overstayed, up to 500 RMB per day. That's real money. The obscenely-long overstays can even land you in immigration jail or banned from the country. I've read that some people manage to beg their way into grace periods, but I wouldn't count on it. Do not allow your visa to expire.

5. Get First and Last Names Mixed Up
Guys and gals – the family name goes first, the given name goes last. Try and get it right. It's not the biggest deal in the world, but some people do get sensitive if you mess with their names.

6. Know Nothing About China
Chinese certainly don't expect you to be the experts, and often enjoy telling you about their country, but sounding like you know nothing about China really does sound like you don't care. Besides, why visit a country if you don't care about it? In my impression, Chinese seem quite pleased when I can tell them a few things about Chinese history or geography, or cuisine. So get excited about your visit and learn about where you're going. The current president of China, for starters, is Hu Jintao. The last one was Jiang....something-or-other.
 

Related Links
China Travel Dos and Don'ts
An Introduction to Planning Your Trip Around China
China Travel Necessities: Seven Forget-Me-Nots for China

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