Do’s and Don’ts

a) 5 Major Cultural Do’s: 1. Handshaking: Back in the days of hunting, when strangers met for the first time, hunting tools will be tossed aside and a truce initiated with hands being laid open to show to the person their allegiance. The elder, the senior, the female, the host, the married, and the superior should all be people who should extend their hands out first. However, if someone does go out of mannerism and reach their hand out first, the handshake should still be welcomed. 2. Introducing yourself: It is considered rude to introduce yourself and there are mannerisms regarding the series in which introductions take place. The junior before the senior, the male before the female, inferior to the superior, and host before guest. 3. When a guest at a meal, never entirely finish the meal: The mark is made that the food was inadequate and you were not offered a good enough meal. 4. Always show up early: Coming on time is a sign of sincerity, and being ten minutes early can be considered tardy because chances are that all parties will already be there. 5. Conservative apparel is recommended: When women wear high heels and short sleeved blouses, it is considered too much of a spectacle. Since, the Chinese believe in communalism, subtle and neutral colors are the key to not standing out for proper mannerism.

b) Major Cultural Don’ts:
1. Poor Handshaking: A person should always be attentative and get up while shaking hands, instead of rudely being absent-mindedly and staying seated. It is wrong to shake with the left hand. Do not shake hands while wearing gloves, sunglasses, or a hat. It is bad cultural mannerism to keep the other hand not being shook in your pocket. Again, as touched on above, it is poor mannerism to refuse a handshake.
2. Do not speak out: If in a group of people and an individual disagrees with the speaker, the person adopts a silent method of reaction because contradicting openly would not only making the speaker lose face, but the person opposed as well. The Chinese believe in-group affiliation, in contrast to individualism, anything that promotes the bigger picture, as a whole is the better option.
3. Do not gift cutting utensils, flowers, clocks, straw sandals, or handkerchiefs: Cutting utensils, such as knifes and scissors are considered a gift with poor mannerism because the culture indicates the severing of a relationship. As for the other gifts mentioned, the flowers, clocks, straw sandals, and handkerchiefs are all coupled with funerals. Also, the Chinese believe four is an extremely unlucky number, so never gift anything in sets of four. The most acceptable gift is food and in sets of eight.
4. Do not walk into the house with shoes on: It is a sign of disrespect to not take off your shoes in the host’s house because indicates that you think there floors are as dirty as the public floor. It is a common courtesy, regardless of the size or location of the house, and taking off your shoes is a sign of comfortableness and informality.
5. Never talk about democracy publically because you may get arrested for conspiring against their government. Remember, that Chinese truly believe in communalism. It is also rude to bring up siblings and you would be considered ignorant.

References:

"China - Language, Culture, Customs and Etiquette." The Translation Agency For A Complete Professional Translation Service. Kwintessial, n.d. Web. 26 Sept. 2014.

"Chinese Etiquette, Manners, Proprieties and Customs Tips." Chinese Etiquette, Manners, Proprieties and Customs Tips. Travel China Guide, 2 July 2014. Web. 23 Sept. 2014.

Romano, Juliet. "Asian Manners and Etiquette." By Juliet Romano. Life Paths 360, 22 June 2010. Web. 26 Sept. 2014.