Local Customs & Etiquette in Nantong, Jiangsu, China

All Topics about Nantong All Cities in China

1. Nantong Greeting Custom

Exchanging handshakes with a slight bow is common. It's important to maintain eye contact during the greeting.

Handshake with Bow: Unlike western countries, a handshake is often accompanied by a slight bow.
Maintain Eye Contact: Making and maintaining eye contact during greetings demonstrates respect.
Reciprocity: It's expected that the gesture is reciprocated when meeting someone for the first time.

Use chopsticks with dexterity and never stick them vertically in rice. Offer food from your plate to others as a gesture of friendship.

Avoid Sticking Chopsticks: Never stick chopsticks vertically in rice as it's associated with offerings at funerals.
Offer Food: Sharing food is a way to show friendship and hospitality.
Use Chopsticks Skillfully: Using chopsticks skillfully shows respect for the host and the meal.

Gifts should be wrapped, preferably in red or gold. Avoid gifts related to mourning or funerals as they are considered inappropriate.

Wrapping Gifts: Gifts should always be wrapped before giving.
Colors of Gift Wrappers: Red or gold wrappers are considered auspicious and appropriate.
Avoid Inappropriate Gifts: Gifts related to mourning or funerals are not appropriate in Nantong culture.

Elders and people in high positions are often addressed with courtesy titles such as 'lao' (elder) or 'xiansheng' (gentleman).

Addressing Elders: Using 'lao' before the person's name is a sign of respect for elders.
Addressing Adults: Using 'xiansheng' or 'xiănníng' (Madam) shows respect for adults.
Understanding Positions: It is important to understand the person's position and address them appropriately.

When toasting, always wait for the host or oldest person to propose a toast first. Respond with 'gān běi' (dry cup) when offered a toast.

Wait for Host: Always wait for the host or oldest person to propose a toast first.
Gan Bei: Responding with 'gān běi' (dry cup) means you have accepted the toast.
Toast Meaning: Toasts are often made to celebrate friendship, health, or success.

Offer your seat to the elderly, pregnant women, and people with disabilities. Stand on the right side of escalators to let others pass.

Seat Offering: It is customary to offer your seat to the elderly, pregnant women, and people with disabilities.
Escalator Etiquette: Stand on the right side of escalators to let others pass more easily.
Respect for Others: Following these rules demonstrates respect and consideration for others.

Remove shoes before entering temples. Bow slightly when entering and leaving a temple.

Shoes Removal: Always remove your shoes before entering a temple.
Bowing Etiquette: Slightly bow when entering and leaving a temple as a sign of respect.
Silence and Respect: Maintain silence and show respect when visiting temples.

Take off your shoes before entering the house. Offer help with preparing meals or cleaning as a sign of respect.

Shoe Removal: Removing your shoes before entering a local home is a sign of respect.
Offering Help: Offering help with preparing meals or cleaning shows respect for your host.
Accepting Refusals: If your offer is refused, graciously accept the refusal and maintain a positive attitude.

Tea drinking is a ritual in Nantong. Offer to pour tea for others and always accept the first cup offered.

Offering to Pour: Offering to pour tea for others is a sign of respect.
Accepting the First Cup: Always accept the first cup of tea offered as a gesture of politeness.
Tea-Making Skills: Skillfully making and serving tea demonstrates your appreciation for the art of tea-making.

Punctuality is crucial. Business cards should be presented with two hands and a bow.

Punctuality: Arriving on time demonstrates respect for the other party.
Business Card Etiquette: Presenting your business card with two hands and a bow is a sign of respect.
Building Relationships: In Nantong, building relationships is considered essential for successful business.

Avoid direct questions about age. Instead, use indirect phrases such as 'When were you born?' or 'How old are you this year?'.

Indirect Questions: Use indirect questions to ask about someone's age.
Respect for Elders: Avoid direct questions about age as it might offend elders.
Cultural Sensitivity: Being aware of and respecting cultural norms demonstrates sensitivity.

Direct questions are less common in Nantong. Use indirect phrases or subtle hints to ask for information.

Indirect Questions: Use indirect questions or subtle hints when asking for information.
Politeness: Being polite and tactful in your communication style is appreciated.
Building Relationships: Indirect communication can help build relationships by avoiding direct confrontation.

Avoid loud or boisterous behavior in public places. Use soft voices when speaking and keep personal conversations private.

Soft Voices: Use a soft voice to show respect for public spaces.
Private Conversations: Keep personal conversations private and avoid loud or boisterous behavior.
Respecting Public Spaces: Respecting public spaces helps maintain a harmonious environment.

Queues are generally orderly and patient. Pushing or cutting in line is considered rude.

Orderliness: Queues in Nantong are usually orderly.
Patience: Waiting your turn patiently demonstrates respect for others.
Respectful Behavior: Maintaining a respectful and patient demeanor is important in queues.

In taxis or bike-shares, always wear a helmet. Offer your seat to the elderly, pregnant women, and people with disabilities.

Wearing Helmets: Always wear a helmet when using taxis or bike-shares.
Seat Offering: Offer your seat to the elderly, pregnant women, and people with disabilities in taxis or bike-shares.
Respectful Behavior: Being considerate and respectful in public transportation helps maintain a harmonious environment.