Local Customs & Etiquette in Qincheng, China

1. Qincheng Market Etiquette

Respect local merchants and their goods, bargain politely but avoid being too aggressive.

Bargaining Tactics: Understand the art of polite bargaining to get a good price while maintaining respect for the merchant.
Local Merchants: Learn about local merchants' behavior and expectations to build trust and rapport.
Cultural Sensitivity: Avoid overt displays of wealth or disrespectful behavior to ensure a positive shopping experience.

Offer incense sticks and money at temples, follow the correct procedure for making offerings.

Correct Procedure: Learn the appropriate steps for offering incense and money to show respect.
Offering Materials: Buy offerings from local shops, not plastic or inappropriate materials.
Temple Etiquette: Follow the temple's rules regarding clothing, behavior, and photographing.

Use chopsticks properly, wait for the oldest person to start eating, avoid touching food with hands.

Chopstick Techniques: Learn to handle chopsticks efficiently and comfortably.
Table Manners: Follow the local customs, such as not reaching across the table or leaving chopsticks standing upright.
Dining Etiquette: Understand when to eat and what to say during meals in a Chinese dining environment.

Respect the tea ceremony's ancient traditions, avoid disturbing other patrons, and show appreciation for the host.

Tea Ceremony Knowledge: Learn about the history and significance of the tea ceremony.
Patience: Be patient during the slow and deliberate process of the tea ceremony.
Gratitude: Express gratitude to the host for their hospitality and time.

Stand on the right side of escalators, give up seats to the elderly or disabled, and avoid talking loudly on phones.

Escalator Usage: Understand local customs regarding standing on the right side of escalators.
Seat Consideration: Offer your seat to those who need it more than you do, such as the elderly or disabled.
Phone Etiquette: Use headphones for phone calls or speak quietly to be considerate of others.

Prepare a business card in Chinese, make eye contact during conversations, and avoid direct confrontation.

Business Card Preparation: Have your business card translated into Chinese to show respect.
Eye Contact: Maintain eye contact during conversations to show sincerity and respect.
Negotiation Style: Avoid direct confrontation and negotiate with a more indirect approach.

Bring small gifts for hosts, avoid gifts in fours or sevens, and choose gifts that are not associated with funerals.

Appropriate Gifts: Choose gifts that are considered appropriate and well-received.
Gift Wrap: Wrap gifts in red or yellow paper, as these colors bring luck.
Number Avoidance: Avoid giving gifts containing numbers associated with bad luck, such as four (4) or seven (7).

Use the correct title and surname for addressing others, bow slightly when greeting, and avoid physical contact.

Addressing Others: Learn to address people with their appropriate title and surname.
Bowing Technique: Perform a slight bow when greeting or showing respect.
Physical Distance: Maintain an appropriate distance from others, avoiding physical contact during interactions.

Respect local holidays, avoid visiting important sites on these days, and learn about traditional customs.

Holiday Awareness: Stay updated on the local public holiday schedule to avoid disruptions.
Site Accessibility: Plan alternative activities or sites to visit during public holidays when popular destinations may be closed.
Holiday Traditions: Learn about the history and traditions associated with local holidays to gain a deeper understanding of the culture.

Dress modestly when visiting temples, remove shoes or headwear before entering, and avoid loud noises.

Modest Attire: Wear clothing that covers your shoulders and knees to show respect.
Footwear Removal: Remove shoes or headwear before entering the temple as a sign of respect.
Silent Prayers: Pray quietly and avoid loud noises to create a peaceful atmosphere in the temple.

Follow food safety guidelines, avoid eating on the go, and respect local street food vendors.

Food Safety: Choose street foods that are cooked in front of you and avoid consuming undercooked or suspicious-looking food.
Seating Arrangements: Find a designated seating area to eat street food, avoiding eating on the go.
Vendor Appreciation: Show appreciation for the local street food vendors' hard work and skills.

Respect local customs during festivals, avoid taking photographs without permission, and dress appropriately.

Festival Etiquette: Understand the do's and don'ts for participating in local festivals.
Photography Restrictions: Ask for permission before taking photographs of people during festivals.
Dress Code: Follow the dress code and wear appropriate clothing for festival activities.

Use toilet paper for personal use, close the lid before flushing, and leave the area clean.

Toilet Paper Usage: Carry your own toilet paper as some public toilets may not provide it.
Flushing Technique: Close the lid before flushing to prevent toilet water from spraying.
Cleanliness: Leave the area clean after using the restroom, disposing of waste properly.

Queue for bathroom stalls, wash hands thoroughly, and use hand sanitizer.

Queuing: Wait in line for a free bathroom stall to avoid disturbing others.
Hand Washing: Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water, or use hand sanitizer if necessary.
Cleanliness: Keep the bathroom clean by disposing of waste properly and leaving the area tidy.

Wait for pedestrian signals to cross roads safely, avoid jaywalking, and walk on the right side of the sidewalk.

Crosswalk Signals: Understand and follow traffic signals at pedestrian crosswalks.
Jaywalking Avoidance: Avoid crossing the street outside of designated crosswalks to ensure safety.
Sidewalk Etiquette: Walk on the right side of the sidewalk to avoid collisions with other pedestrians.