40 Strange Rules That All Visitors To China Must Follow
For our money, China is one of the most intriguing nations on the planet. And that lofty assessment isn’t just down to its culture or architecture. You see, the Asian country has some pretty bizarre regulations in place that you absolutely shouldn’t break. We’ve got 40 of them right here. Trust us, you’ve never known rules like these before!
40. Get a grip
How do you prefer your handshakes – gentle or firm? If it’s the latter, you could be in for a shock in China. According to the website China Highlights, hard greetings aren’t appreciated by the locals. In their eyes, it’s seen as an act of hostility and antagonism. So watch your pressure when you press the flesh, folks!
39. Bow to your elders
“Respect your elders.” That phrase has been doing the rounds for a very long time now, but it’s not just a message in China… it’s the law. No joke. Apparently, when you encounter a person who’s older than 70 there, you’ve got to bow down in their presence. Then, you need to offer a solemn word to the “Gods of the Ancients.” Pretty wild, right?
38. Chopstick placement
While chopsticks might not be the easiest of utensils to use at the dinner table, mastering them is hugely satisfying. But if you’re visiting China, that’s not the only thing you need to worry about. The Business Insider website reports that you shouldn’t put the sticks in a vertical position inside your bowl. It’ll mirror a ceremonial donation to the spirit world.
37. Beware gifts with meaning
Naturally, we all hope that our friends and loved ones like the presents that we buy for them on special occasions. Yet people in China need to be especially cautious on that front. Why? Well, gifts that hold any kind of symbolism will go down like a lead balloon. For instance, clocks denote death while anything with a sharp edge could be construed as breaking off a personal connection.
