Hong Kong Etiquette Tips

 

Hong Kong Overview

• Located on the Pearl River Delta in China .
• “Hong Kong” translates to “fragrant harbour” or “incense harbour”.
• Human settlement dates back to the Paleolithic and early Neolithic era.
• Was occupied by British forces in 1841 and was formally ceded to the British under the Treaty of Nanking.
• During Japanese invasion in World War II, Japan had control from 1941-1945 until it’s surrender after the war.
• Hong Kong was returned to China in 1997.
• Today, it is a Special Administrative Region (SAR).
• According to experts, Hong Kong has the world’s freest economy.

Common Etiquette Rules

• Don’t show the sole of your feet to others.
• Putting your feet on a chair, or on a train seat, is regarded as very bad manners.
• Always use chopsticks in your right hand.
• Don’t leave chopsticks vertically or horizontally in your bowl. Vertical chopsticks look like incience sticks in a bowl of ashes, a remainer of death.
• When using toothpicks, cover the hand holding the toothpick with your other hand.
• Give and receive business cards, and other pieces of paper, with both hands.  One hand looks casual and can be seen as rude.
• If you are invited to a wedding, you are expected to give money as a gift (as opposed to objects).
• Flip flops or thonged sandals are not allowed in certain hotel lobbies and restaurants.
• Displays of affection, temper, or anything “extreme” are frowned upon.
• Do not blow your nose at the table or in public.  
• Do not rub your chopstick together before dining. It implies that you have been given poor quality chopsticks that may have splinters.  
• Gift giving is a very important part of Chinese culture.

 

Gift Giving Etiquette

• Gift giving is a common way of expressing thanks and obligation
• In business situations, if you have gifts for all members of a team, the head of the team should get a higher quality present.  This may also apply to family related situations.  The head of the house receives the best gift.
• Other team members should be given identical token gifts.
• Gifts should be wrapped and presented and received with the two hands.
• Cutlery, clocks, scarves, and anything with the number 4 is an inappropriate gift.
• In order not to appear greedy, gifts will not be immediately taken, but refused 3 times before finally being accepted.
• Red is a lucky color, pink & yellow represent happiness, and the number 8 is the luckiest number.
• Black, white and blue and the number 4 is associated with death and funerals.

Toasting Etiquette

• The toast is an integral part of the culture in Hong Kong.  
• All countries have a standard toast however each country has a different pronunciation for the word toast. Ganbei is the popular Chinese toast. It means dry glass or bottoms up.  
• Everyone is expected to drink a toast.  
• The guest of honor makes the first toast.  
• Follow the lead of your host when dining.  
• It is impolite to refuse to drink. Even if you do not drink, accept it and toast with your host.  
• Drinking helps to relax the host and is an important part of the relationship building phase in Chinese business culture.