Local Customs & Etiquette in Shengli, Shandong, China

1. Respect for Elders

Aging is highly respected in Shengli culture. Always address elders with respect and deference.

Age-based Respect: Addressing elders with a formal title (e.g., 'uncle', 'aunt') is common.
Greeting Customs: Bowing or kneeling when meeting someone older is common, especially in rural areas.
Family Honor: In some families, disrespecting an elder can bring shame to the entire family.

Giving food as gifts is a common practice in Shengli. Avoid offering pork products to Muslims.

Gift Selection: High-quality foods such as dried fruits, candies, or local delicacies are popular gifts.
Religious Considerations: Understand the dietary restrictions of your hosts before offering food gifts.
Gift Wrapping: Wrapping gifts in red envelopes or decorative bags is a common practice.

Use chopsticks properly and don't leave them standing upright in your rice bowl.

Chopstick Usage: Hold the chopsticks near their ends, not close to the tips.
Eating Etiquette: Don't stick your chopsticks vertically into rice as it resembles incense sticks used in funerals.
Resting Chopsticks: Rest chopsticks horizontally on the chopstick rest or to the side of your bowl.

Respect public spaces and keep them clean. Avoid littering.

Cleanliness: Dispose of waste in designated bins to maintain cleanliness.
Noise Levels: Speak quietly in public spaces to avoid disturbing others.
Smoking Restrictions: Be aware of smoking restrictions, as some indoor areas have banned smoking.

Avoid giving knives, umbrellas, or clocks as gifts. Instead, give even numbers of items for good fortune.

Gift Meaning: Knives symbolize separation, while umbrellas and clocks remind people of death.
Even vs. Odd Numbers: Even numbers bring good fortune in Chinese culture.
Gift Wrapping: Wrapping gifts in red envelopes or decorative bags is a common practice.

Remove your shoes before entering temples and bow when entering and leaving.

Shoe Removal: You will be provided with slippers to wear inside the temple.
Bowing: Show respect by bowing slightly upon entering and leaving the temple.
Donation Boxes: It's customary to make a donation in the donation boxes.

Build relationships before discussing business and be punctual for meetings.

Relationship Building: Establish a personal connection before discussing business matters.
Punctuality: Arriving late for meetings is considered disrespectful and unprofessional.
Gift-giving: Gifts are often exchanged during business meetings, but should not be extravagant.

Remove your shoes before entering the home and bring a small gift.

Always have change ready for taxi fares. Never argue with the driver.

Change Ready: Have small bills or coins handy to avoid not having enough change.
Politeness: Be polite and avoid arguing with the taxi driver, even if they make a mistake.
Tipping: Rounding up the fare or leaving small change is appreciated but not expected.

Give up your seat for the elderly and pregnant women.

Seat Sharing: Stand if there are no seats available.
Crowded Spaces: Maintain personal space during peak hours on public transport.
Silence Phones: Turn off or silence phones to be considerate of others.

Eat with chopsticks and don't leave food on your plate.

Chopstick Usage: Hold the chopsticks near their ends, not close to the tips.
Food Removal: Don't leave food on your plate as it suggests that you did not enjoy the meal.
Resting Chopsticks: Rest chopsticks horizontally on the chopstick rest or to the side of your bowl.

Accept hospitality graciously and offer reciprocal hospitality when possible.

Graciousness: Respond politely to invitations and accept hospitably.
Gift-giving: Bring a small gift, such as fruits or candy, when visiting someone's home.
Reciprocity: Return hospitality if possible to show appreciation.

Bow slightly or shake hands when meeting someone. Use the person's title and surname.

Surname First: Address people using their surname first, followed by their given name.
Handshake or Bow: Choose either a bow or a handshake when meeting someone, depending on the situation.
Formality: Use formal language and titles when addressing older people or those in positions of authority.

Tipping is generally not expected but appreciated for good service.

Appreciated but Not Expected: Tipping is not customary in many situations but is appreciated when the service is exceptional.
Round Up Fare: Round up taxi fares or leave small change as a token of appreciation.
Service Industry Tips: Tips are appreciated in the service industry, especially for hotel staff and tour guides.

Follow traffic rules and drive defensively. Use your turn signal when changing lanes.

Defensive Driving: Be aware of other drivers' actions and adjust your driving accordingly.
Turn Signals: Use your turn signal when changing lanes to indicate your intentions to other drivers.
Traffic Laws: Respect traffic laws and regulations to ensure safety on the road.