17 Things You Should Know About Chinese Culture

The Chinese have a very rich culture which they’ve managed to sustain for thousands of years and they’re still very strong at it handling it down generations to generations. While they’ve beliefs and taboos they’re keen to follow, there’re a few main Chinese culture facts one needs to understand and known especially if you intend to visit the country or learning the Chinese language for business purposes. A few are most commonly identified even when watching some Chinese films whereas others are bounds to capture your high attention.

Confucianism has a serious influence

In Confucianism, respect for the family, elders, rulers, and making social harmony is whole extremely vital. You will notice this serious influence in several things during your understanding or learning about Chinese culture.

Ha! That is great news for you – if you’re going to teach English in China, everyone will respect and love you because you’re a teacher. It looks that Confucianism is a great part of Chinese Culture facts.

China – The Middle Kingdom 

The Chinese of China can be translated as the Middle Kingdom, reflecting the very old Chinese worldview that it is the center of the whole world. This led to haughty refusals of trade, military defeats by the whole of Europe, and forced treaties, marking the last of the imperial period.

Chinese people are extremely proud of their very long history and profound Mandarin Culture, which you’re likely to notice on your visit when you communicate with natives and visit tourist spots, which often have key signs to emphasize their value in worldwide history.

Calligraphy in China is a revered art form 

In China, the art of calligraphy itself is revered and very much practiced traditional form that has also led to the development of several other local art forms. An instance of these includes ornate paperweights, seal carvings, and inkstones. Calligraphy art in China has several different categories, which you can understand through your visits to China.

Mandarin Chinese Language

The Mandarin Chinese language is very unique in both written as well as spoken variants. With more than 1.3 billion of the world population using Mandarin as their primary language and a bigger percentage adopting the language, it’s clear that the Chinese culture is not only strong but also all across the world.

In existence is conventional as well as simplified written Mandarin. About spoken Mandarin, the main categories include Cantonese and Mandarin. Though, it is vital to note that Mainland China, as well as Taiwan, uses the Mandarin Language as their official language.

Mandarin Chinese language has several dialects

Mandarin Chinese, as we know it, is not a monolithic language. It has several dialects as well as tons of variations, with a few being significantly different from one another. Subsequently, at times it might be hard for speakers of divergent dialects to known each other.

Chinese Mandarin is also known as Putonghua is the standard local language in China. Apart from the Mandarin Chinese, limitless dialects being utilized in various areas in China, such as GAN, Wu, Min, YUE, and Xiang are also spoken by various sections of the Han people.

Chinese Speak bluntly but not always 

We always hear that Asian speaking styles are very circular. Meaning public discussions will often circle the main point before finally arriving at it. This can be real when talking about who people move toward delicate topics, but should not be taken as a general law. You might be surprised by the blunt way several Chinese speak to foreigners.

Back home, it’d not be appropriate to comment on somebody’s fat unless you are extremely close (might be not even then). In China, though, opinion can be given very much on the point and without building much of a connection. Once again, this is not a sign of rudeness. To state what’s clear to them is just a form of conversational rhetoric.

Chinese will be Eager to Practice English 

In most Western states, there’s not very much emphasis put on learning 2nd language from a very young age. But in China, the kids attend English classes starting very young age. They’re taught the English language as a part of their school curriculum and likely to spend the hours after school at an English learning program.

While this study means that several of China’s young generation, even if they’ve never left the state, will be excited to say hello. They don’t expect every foreigner to have very good Mandarin Chinese language abilities and are normally surprised and impressed when foreigners give it try or learn the Mandarin Chinese language. A very few main phrases can go a long way in making some new friends in China.

In China festivals are everything

Particularly during the New Year in China, the full country halts and celebrates massively together. Family and friends become even more vital and every festival has very special customs that are adhered to, like eating dumplings or very special foods for instance.

Different types of philosophies created different cultures 

The Chinese culture has been formed widely by the tenants of eastern philosophies and religions like Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism. In any of these beliefs, values include fortune, harmony, and community. Understanding these main roots can assist you to make sense of how those all roots have influenced the modern Chinese way of life!

China’s society even in the current era is influenced by these ideas. In a state with such a huge population, keeping harmony and peace is forever a huge concern, which is why the Chinese often shy away from outright conflict, and getting along with Chinese people is often seen as more vital than having their opinion heard.

Chinese never say No 

It is a part of Chinese culture to forever try and be polite to all others. It’s therefore quite difficult to find somebody who will outright tell you “No” when you ask them from a request or a favor or whether they should like to go somewhere or do something with you. In these kinds of situations, the Chinese will forever try to let you off gently and ever use a response that directly means No.

instead, they will most likely give you a response that’ll make it look like they are making a huge effort to not often you when, in fact, they understand right away that the answer is going to be no. One of these you might hear often is ràng wǒ xiǎng xiang zài gào sù nǐ” (让我想想再告诉你)!

This expression is utilized to let somebody know that they’ll think about it and then permit them to know about the reply in the near time. You’ll most likely never hear from that person and it is true. The expression is the same as what we’d use in the West also.

When you feel slightly uncomfortable telling the person for instance that you don’t want to meet up with them, you’ve probably utilized an expression same to let me think about this and I will let you know later, maybe even pretend that you are so busy you are not certain you will have time for meeting whilst knowing quite right the full time that you’d meet up with them but do not feel like it.

Though, whereas we’d probably end up at one mark or another giving the other person a straight No, Chinese people will most likely just keep repeating to you that they have to think about it or check something first. If they wish to let you know instantly that the answer is going to be no, then you might be more likely to listen that this is not convenient.

Tips for Beginners to Understand Chinese Culture 

Currently, China is an extremely advanced state with a population of more than 1.3 billion people. This implies that it has hundreds of local cultures as well as traditions. Therefore if you’re planning to learn Chinese and want to visit there, you’d learn a few of these Chinese cultures. For example, if you are looking forward to closing a business deal, you’d learn basic Chinese gestures, and what eye contact in Chinese culture means business etiquette and many more.

Just like any other culture, the Chinese take body language very seriously. For instance, holding hands in China is taken extremely seriously particularly when in public. Did you know that it is not polite to back slap somebody in open or put your hands on a buddy’s shoulders in China?

Well, here’re some Chinese Culture facts that you’d understand:

Eye Contact in Chinese Culture

This is the most subtle form of special interaction in several cultures. Though you’d never underestimate the potential of eye contact, Now that you’re planning to learn the Chinese language and visit China, this is what you’d know. Asian Cultures particularly the traditions in China are extremely strict when it comes to respecting each other.

In China, eye contact is not very much important when it comes to social interactions. It is highly considered inappropriate. Subordinates are not permitted to make steady eye contact with their elders. For instance, a daughter is at least conventionally expected to point her eyes downwards when her daddy is speaking, while learners are discouraged from making eye contact with their teachers. 

Chinese Body Language and Gestures

When it comes to linking arms, in Chinese culture this is no different from Western. Crossing or linking arms as a defensive shield that stops the outer world, even if that’s not the intent. Connected arms can indicate a form of stress which is triggered by the absence of trust in the other side, internal discomfort, and feeling a little vulnerable. In China, crossing your arms in front of others makes them feel rejected.

In Chinese culture, people do not use gestures often as they regard too many hand motions as excessive. Here’re a few things you’d understand about dos and don’ts of gesture when you are in China.

• Winking and whistling are considered rude.
• Tugging on the earlobe as well as both thumbs up mean excellence
• A raised or outward-pointing pink finger apply that something is of poor quality and somebody is not good at something
• If you need to get somebody’s attention and tell them to come to you, you have to place your palm down and move your finger towards you. Though, it is impolite to utilize these gesture superiors.
• Make eye blow slightly to gain somebody’s attention. This is one of the most polite ways.

Chinese Culture – Traditions and Facts 

The Spring Festival and New Year in China is the most vital holiday. It is the first day of the New Year in the lunar Chinese calendar. During this period, almost all is shut down so you’d take a look at the calendar when planning business meetings.

When it comes to art, calligraphy is essential. These Mandarin Chinese Characters which date back to over 3500 years are images of objectives representing meaning. The oracles are the real origin of Mandarin Characters.  Food in China is also extremely famous. The noodles and roast duck with bean paste in the Capital of China, to dim sum in Hong Kong, are just a few of the best meals you can find.

The Lucky Colors and Numbers in Chinese Culture 

According to Chinese culture and traditions, there’re certain colors are considered to be lucky. This is because pronunciations are the same as words that have some lucky meanings. This is why the Chinese choose lucky numbers when selecting phone numbers, residencies, business addresses, event dates, etc.

Chinese Culture Etiquette

Foreigners in China have a difficult time keeping up with the several laws of Chinese etiquette. Though the meaning is not a bit complicated, just take a look at the followings:

• Upon meeting shake your hands. In few cases, the Chinese might bow or nod instead of shaking.
• Always greet the oldest person first, if you want to introduce a group of people, line up according to age – the head should be at the starting mark.
• According to the Chinese, you should not blow your nose in a handkerchief it is considered vulgar.
• In China do not like to touch by strangers. Therefore, refrain from hugging, holding hands, back-slapping, and imitating any sort of body contact.
• Never open your index finger to point someone. Always point with an open hand.

Chinese business etiquette

• Always try your best to establish a friendship before closing the deal
• The Chinese expect you to forever be prepared so you’d have sufficient copies of your proposal to all.
• Never set a business meeting or event on holidays
• Know-how right your host understands English or another language you intend to utilize during the business. if you understand the Chinese language that’ll be great

Take away….

To learn Chinese understanding about Chinese culture is extremely important. It helps you a lot when you making business deals or travel to Mainland.