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.  

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