Certain common Chinese behaviors may stand out as strange or even rude when you are traveling abroad in China.

These include: 

• Spitting on the streets 
• Shouting "服务员 (fú wù yuán)"  to get the server's attention in a crowded restaurant
• Asking someone how much money they make

And, of course, every weary tourist on a late-night/early-morning bus has woken up at some point to a man screaming into his cell phone. 

But just because someone exhibits behaviors that cause offense, doesn’t mean he is rude.

It just means that politeness can mean different things in different societies.

How come saying "please" doesn't work?

At the dinner table in the U.S., friends and family would say to each other, “Please pass the salt,” or, “Thank you for the sugar.”

If you did this at a Chinese table, you would get some strange looks and awkward silences long before you got any seasonings.

As my cousin explained to me at his table, when you’re with family, you don’t have to be so 客气 (kè qi, polite) and act like a guest. 

Among Chinese friends and family, there is no need for such cordiality.

In fact, if you seem too formal (which can happen if you repeat “thank you” and “please” too many times), your friends may actually feel hurt that you see the need to be so polite with them.

Formal language, such as “thank you” and “please”, are most often used by customer service representatives, instructional signs, and in business exchanges.

See Also: Reading Chinese Signs: 6 Essential Words to Know

But just because parents don’t drill children to say 谢谢 (xiè xiè)  and 请 (qǐng)  doesn’t mean that politeness doesn’t matter.

The Chinese concept of 礼 (lǐ) - customs, etiquette, and proper behavior stemming from Confucian times - continues to hold great weight in Chinese culture today.

Here are the secret ways of the practice of 礼 (lǐ). 

Respect elders by treating them like family 

Chinese parents may not be too concerned about children chewing with their mouths open. 

But even before babies can speak, they are coached on greeting their relatives with the proper endearments.

As most Chinese language learners are aware, describing a Chinese family tree can require painstaking specificity.

Grandparents, aunts, and uncles are referred to differently if they are related to your father versus your mother.

Siblings are distinguished by being younger or older. If you happen to be a younger sibling, you’ll often use 哥哥 (gē ge)  and 姐姐 (jiě jie) instead of your siblings’ names.

If a child does not greet their elders or refer to them properly, someone will be sure to call them out for being 不礼貌 (bù lǐ mào)  - having no manners.

It is also common to use these familial terms for people with whom you are not related.

A younger woman at work may add a single "姐 (jiě, older sister)" after the name of an older female mentor.

And even when you are a mom with full-grown children, you may still refer to an older friend or neighbor as “aunt (阿姨, ā yí) ” or “uncle (叔叔, shū shu)".  

See also: 6 Signs You're in a Close Friendship with a Chinese Person

Pay attention to people’s food intake 

Vocabulary:

吃了吗? (chī le ma?)  – Have you eaten?

多吃一点 (duō chī yì diǎn)  – Eat a little more.

Food is major facet of Chinese culture.

One way to show concern for someone is to ask whether they have eaten. If not, there is always the opportunity to dine together.

When eating with family or loved ones, a common gesture of love and affection is to pick out a choice bite and place it on someone else’s plate.

If it feels to awkward to drop something onto another person’s plate, you can always say, "吃多一点 (chī duō yī diǎn)” to encourage people to eat more.

More tips on dining etiquette can be found in my Chinese Dining Etiquette Survival Guide.

Finally, another interesting note on cultural differences. In the U.S., it would be downright mean to point out that someone has gained weight or looks heavier.

In China, however, complimenting someone on growing fatter is generally accepted as celebrating someone’s good health.

Of course, I was not so grateful to hear these comments when I returned home from college with my Freshman 15.

Parting with regret and kind words

Vocabulary:

不急, 不急 (Bù jí, bù jí) – No rush, no rush.

多坐坐吧 (Duō zuò zuò ba)  – Sit a little longer.

慢走 (Màn zǒu) – Walk slowly.

After a shared meal or evening, it inevitably becomes time to part ways.

Reassuring someone that there is no rush or exhorting them to stay longer shows that you have enjoyed the time spent together.

One way to do this is to reassure them that there is no rush (不急不急).

Another way is to appeal to sit a little longer (多坐坐吧).

Finally, when there is no longer any way to delay the parting, it is good to wish each other a slow and gentle walk (慢走).

Some customer service representatives will also add a "please" before they wish you a gentle walk, but this may sound stilted and formal among friends and acquaintances.

Concern for someone’s hard work 

Vocabulary: 

辛苦你了 (xīn kǔ nǐ le)  – You've worked hard. 

别太累了 (bié tài lèi le)  – Don’t get too tired.

早点休息 (zǎo diǎn xiū xi)  – Rest early.

When a Chinese person is grateful for a co-worker’s diligence or a loved one’s labors, it may feel too awkward to thank them directly.

However, there are many other ways to show that you notice and appreciate their hard work.

One method is to acknowledge that someone has had to toil by saying "辛苦你了 (xīn kǔ nǐ le)". The phrase, 辛苦 (xīn kǔ), is a bit difficult to translate, but it is generally used as a verb or an adjective to describe a challenging time or a difficult struggle.

For more intimate relationships, you can use more instructional phrases such as "别太累了 (bié tài lèi le)" or "早点休息 (zǎo diǎn xiū xi)".

However, there is one caveat.

I did learn through a lifestyle magazine that "早点休息" or "let's rest early" is the most common way for Chinese couples to signal that they would like a romantic night.

Demonstrate humility

Vocabulary:

请多多指教 (Qǐng duō duō zhǐ jiào)  – Please give me plenty of guidance.

Humility is one of the most valued virtues in Chinese culture.

This is why, when discussing an accomplishment you are bursting with pride about, you might negate it and say that it's actually nothing.

And when you give a presentation, you may precede it with statements of how unexpected it is to have the honor of speaking or apologies for any inadequacies in your knowledge.

Even when you do have lots of knowledge and experience, it is good to ask for guidance from others.

This is especially true when you are introducing yourself to a new group of co-workers or colleagues.

Reciprocate favors and gifts 

Reciprocity is another important concept for some Chinese people. The rules of reciprocity means that if someone buys you a meal or a gift, you should do the same for them at some point in the future.

This applies also to favors, such as job referrals, loans, or other benefits derived from a friend.

Reciprocation forms the basis of that famous Chinese social currency known as 关系 (guān xi).  

关系, meaning connection or influence, can often determine one's professional and political success in China.

If you are working on building relationships in China, don’t forget to reciprocate.

Among friends, failure to reciprocate can be interpreted as a snub or a sign that you are not interested in maintaining the relationship.

In business, it can determine your accomplishments and failures.

Have you navigated any awkward cultural exchanges and situations with aplomb and grace?  Share your tips in the comments below!