Business Etiquette While Traveling in China

Planning a business trip to China? If so, there's lots you need to know before you go. Things are different in each country and how you act, speak and greet are very important. You could offend someone without even knowing it, blowing your business deal from the get-go. Besides etiquette matters you may also be interested in knowing that in China, just about everything shuts down from noon until two. Restaurants, elevators, even the phone services in China shut down for this two hour period. Most places open at nine a.m. and remain in business until seven p.m. but large towns, like Shanghai can cater to customers until about ten p.m. When planning the trip check online to make sure the time period you're planning on doesn't fall within an revered Chinese holiday, such as the Chinese New Year. Most businesses are closed during May Day or National Day but since the dates vary, check online calendars before buying plane tickets.

How you dress in America and how you dress in China, for business, are two different things. If you're a conservative dresser, you'll fit right in. Eliminate bright, colorful ties from your wardrobe and stick with conservative suits and ordinary, subdued ties. Flashy garments with bright, vivid colors are considered disrespectful in a business meeting when in China. Women should avoid low necklines and stick with neutral colors like tan, brown or white. High heels are taboo unless at a formal bash. Ordinary suits and ties are acceptable for men at a formal affair - tuxedos are an unknown in China. Jeans are acceptable for men or women, in a casual setting, but shorts are avoided unless worn during exercising.