China - An Ancient Society

China is a 3200 year old ancient dynastic society with a war lording culture. China has a storytelling tradition in pubs, from the great floods of the Yellow River, to the times before the common era (BCE), to the rich wheat fields of Henan, Stone Age Villages, Tripple Gate patterns, the first Xia Dynasty, the Han Dynasty with its Silk Road, the well known Ming Dynasty with its blue and white porcelains, and 30 generations of rich cultural, medicinal and religious development.

China has a population of 1.4 Billion people, 92% of whom are descended from the Han Dynasty. The Capital is Beijing (old name Peking) with a population of 21 Million, and where the Forbidden City and parts of the Great Wall exist. Weather is tropical: very warm and humid. Land area is 3.6 million square miles, close to the size of the United States. GDP is $14,874 per person. The natural resources in China include coal, hydrogen and many rare earth minerals. They are known for rice, cotton and their famous cuisine. The official and majority language is Mandarin, but Cantonese is also spoken as are many other dialects. Religions include Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, Muslim and Christian. Care of the wise elderly is revered. "Saving face" is paramount. Never embarrass someone else either in negotiations or jokingly. Popular sports include Baseball, Soccer and Swimming. The Chinese do not line up, they push in large crowds. 

Chinese fine art and literature are renowned. The Yuan, Han, Tang and Ming Dynasties (to name a few) were filled with imperial patronage. "The way and its power" is an understanding of behavior which makes things the way they are. "Truth is infinite, the mind is finite" describes the balance and harmony of earth and spirit.  

Basic public manners are for the most part Old European Manners (see post from August 12, 2020). Manners in China also include showing a quiet reserve and showing little emotion in public. Make little eye contact in public. Staring is not acceptable, and in fact is used by Mothers as punishment when their children are misbehaved. Smiling in public is not done, especially for women. Smiling implies embarrassment, stress, humiliation or disagreement. Never force an Asian to say "No." This is a loss of "face."

Be punctual. Very formal austere senior elders may first initiate introductions. Always show the utmost respect and kindness for elders. Offer them a seat. Bow from your shoulders, not your waist. Use last names until invited to call someone by first name. Correct pronunciation is important. If given a business card, accept it with both hands, peruse it for a minute, then nicely place it in your purse or pocket. This deliberate action shows respect. No hands "below waist." Keep your hands out of your pockets. Don't fidget. Don't take photographs unless you have permission.  

When dining, arrive on time. Do not arrive early as this act implies you are hungery. If eating with utensils, eat in the Continental style. Never point with your finger or point your chopsticks an another person. It is considered rude and bad luck. Carry your own chopsticks to impress! Before your trip or meal, practice with your chopsticks at home on popcorn.  Shake hands with everyone upon arrival and departure. Meals may be comprised of 12 courses or more. Try all courses as you may discover a new favorite food! Many toasts are also common. Pass with your right hand only. If you clean your plate, it will be re-filled, so leave a bit on your plate. When sitting, keep both feet on the floor. Do not cross your legs or show the soles of your shoes. This is considered dirty thus an insult. Women only may cross their ankles at the table. Don't wink. Service charge should be included on your check. Tipping is NOT part of the culture in China. Tipping wait staff, the maid or driver may cause confusion or embarrassment, thus causing "lose of face." A sincere Thank You (xiexie) will do. 

Gift Giving Protocol is so interesting as it revolves around colors, funerals and superstitions! Gifts are accepted with both hands to show respect, and are not opened by the recipient when given. Do not give fruit baskets as this act implies poverty. Don't give anything in sets of 4 or 40 as the pronunciation of "four" sounds like the word for death. Do not give a green hat as it implies adultery. Do not give knives or scissors, not even with a 'lucky penny', as this implies separation. Do not give a clock (time is ticking thus death is near). Give cash, but in even numbers. Cash is given in a red envelope to children and unmarried young adults for good luck, as red is a celebratory color. Do not give lavish gifts (tacky), or white flowers (funeral). 

The same applies to clothing. Never wear red to a funeral or serious, solemn or business occasion, as red is the celebratory color of weddings, good luck and happiness. Neon and bright colors are also frowned upon as they are considered disrespectful and disruptive. Black, navy and dark gray clothing shows respect and is best. 

Numbers also have great meaning. As previously mentioned, the number 4 sounds like the word for death, so it is bad luck. Airports have no "Gate #4." Also,  #7=ghosts, #1=guaranteed, #2=easy, #3=life, #6=happiness, #8=prosperity, #9=long life. #13 is bad luck. No Floor #13 or Room #13, or 1313.

Feng Shui dictates how a home or office should be built or decorated. Each angle has a meaning for the "sphere of life" which is health, love and money. The front door should face East, as facing West is bad luck. An elephant statue or elephant vase should have its trunk up and facing the front door as it will hold in the good luck. The foot of the bed should not face the door as it relates to death and being carried out "feet first." A tree outside the front door may block "prosperity" from entering the house.

Legend has it, if you hold your chopsticks in close, you will marry someone close to you. If you hold your chopsticks away from you, you will marry someone far away.