When visiting China you may find it advantageous to do a little homework regarding Chinese history, culture and geography, as those you meet will both appreciate and be impressed by your efforts. During a conversation with a Chinese person it is important to remember that negative replies are seen as impolite. Keeping this in mind, avoid saying “no” and instead reply with a “maybe” or “I’ll have to think about that” etc. Conversely, if you hear a phrase such as “No big problems” this would usually indicate that problems do exist. In Chinese culture, sometime saying no may mean yes and you will really have to observe how a person react to any words you say. If you are not clear, do ask to confirm what it means. Don't simply guess.

When asked a question that you do not wish to answer, for example your age or amount of earnings, remain polite and offer an open-ended reply. It is best not to become angry or show distaste as your host may lose “face.” Common phrases in China such as, “Have you eaten?” or “Are you busy?” are used as greetings and can be answered with a simply “thank you.”

In addition to learning a little culture, you may also want to learn a few key phrases that you may need during you stay in China. Before a business meeting you will find small talk taking place. This is an important part of business meetings in China and can feature a number of topics including the weather, art, food, shopping, places of interest, etc. When making small talk try to keep it to related topics.

Kelvin Cho
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