Local Customs & Etiquette in Laibin, Guangxi, China

1. Laohei Rice Noodles Etiquette

Dining etiquette for Laohei Rice Noodles, a local specialty. It's customary to slurp the noodles loudly and eat them quickly.

Speed Eating: Eating Laohei Rice Noodles quickly is considered a sign of appreciation for the dish.
Loud Slurping: Slurping noodles loudly indicates that you're enjoying your meal.
Shared Serving: In many cases, the noodles are shared among family or friends.

Locals usually bow slightly when greeting each other. Handshakes are less common but accepted.

Bowing: A slight bow shows respect and courtesy when meeting someone.
Handshake: Handshakes are less common, but still a polite gesture if offered or expected.
Informal Settings: In informal settings, friends may simply greet each other with a casual 'hi'.

Tea is an important part of social gatherings and hospitality. Offer tea to your host when visiting a home.

Hospitality Gesture: Offering tea shows respect and is considered a welcoming gesture.
Tea Culture: Tea plays a significant role in Laibin's social customs and ceremonies.
Accepting Tea: When offered tea, it's polite to accept it as a sign of respect.

Use chopsticks to eat. It's considered rude to stick chopsticks vertically into rice.

Chopstick Etiquette: Using chopsticks is the norm in Laibin and adhering to this etiquette shows respect.
Vertical Chopsticks: Sticking chopsticks vertically into rice is associated with funerals and considered inappropriate at the dining table.
Passing Food: When passing food, use one chopstick to offer and receive the food, not both.

Gifts are often wrapped in red or yellow paper. Avoid gifts related to funerals like clocks and umbrellas.

Red or Yellow Wrap: Wrapping gifts in red or yellow paper symbolizes good luck.
Avoiding Certain Gifts: Gifts related to funerals like clocks and umbrellas are considered inappropriate.
Gift-giving Occasions: Gift-giving is common during festivals, birthdays, or to show appreciation.

Respect public spaces and follow local rules. Overcrowding is common in tourist areas.

Respect Public Spaces: Follow local rules to respect public spaces and ensure they remain clean.
Overcrowding: Tourist areas can get very crowded, so be patient and mindful of others.
Queueing: Queuing is expected in lines for attractions or public transport.

Dress modestly and remove shoes before entering temples. Avoid loud noises and refrain from pointing with your feet.

Modest Dress: Wear clothing that covers shoulders and knees when visiting temples.
Shoe Removal: Remove shoes before entering the temple to show respect.
Respectful Behavior: Avoid loud noises and refrain from pointing with your feet, which is considered disrespectful.

Bargaining is expected in markets. Always be friendly and polite when negotiating prices.

Bargaining: Always bargain for the best price, but do so politely.
Friendly Interaction: Be friendly and polite during negotiations to build rapport with vendors.
Respecting Traders: Always respect the traders by not being overly aggressive or rude.

Give up your seat to the elderly or pregnant women. Don't eat or drink on public transport.

Seat Sharing: Offer your seat to the elderly, disabled, or pregnant women.
No Food/Drink: Avoid eating and drinking on public transport out of respect for other passengers.
Line Order: Stand in line order and let others off before boarding the vehicle.

Have your destination ready when entering a taxi. Use taxi-hailing apps for convenience.

Destination Ready: Have your destination written in Chinese to show the driver.
Taxi Apps: Use apps like Didi or Uber to book taxis and avoid language barriers.
Payment: Payment is usually cash, but some taxis accept mobile payments.

Cycle on the right side of the road and give way to pedestrians. Use bike lanes when available.

Ride on Right: Cycle on the right side of the road to avoid collisions with vehicles.
Give Way to Pedestrians: Give way to pedestrians when cycling, especially at crosswalks.
Bike Lanes: Use bike lanes if available for safety and convenience.

Order your coffee at the counter. Tipping is not customary, but rounding up your bill is appreciated.

Order at Counter: Order your coffee at the counter to avoid waiting for a server.
No Tipping: Tipping is not expected, but rounding up your bill shows appreciation.
Payment: Pay at the counter after receiving your coffee.

Follow traffic rules and signs. Drive defensively due to unpredictable driving behavior.

Traffic Rules: Adhere strictly to traffic rules for safety and to avoid fines.
Defensive Driving: Drive defensively due to unpredictable driving behaviors from other drivers.
Pedestrian Crossings: Always stop at pedestrian crossings and give way to pedestrians.

Ask for prices before ordering. Use hand signals to indicate the amount of food desired.

Price Check: Always ask for prices to avoid misunderstandings.
Hand Signals: Use hand signals to indicate the amount of food desired, as some vendors may not speak English.
Safe Street Food: Choose busy street food stalls with clean environments and high turnover for safer options.

Ask permission before taking photos of people, especially in rural areas. Respect local privacy.

Permission Required: Always ask for permission to take photos of people out of respect.
Respect Privacy: Respect local privacy and avoid photographing private homes or areas without permission.
Cultural Sensitivity: Be sensitive to cultural differences and avoid taking photos that may offend locals.