Who should you appoint to welcome your Chinese correspondents?

The Chinese have a strong sense of hierarchy.They will be particularly honored to be welcomed and cared for by someone considered
important” person. 
Don’t hesitate to point out the titles and status of your contacts during introductions. 
The Chinese don’t expect higher-ranking people to follow them everywhere, but a first contact on arrival can establish positive relations right from the start.

Use appropriate greetings…

It’s no myth that greetings are important in Chinese culture.Use polite phrases such as hello “Ni Hao” (pronounced Ni HAO) and goodbye “Zai Jian” (pronounced Zaille Jianne ). You can always learn a few basic phrases in Mandarin to show your interest and respect. A translator is also welcome to facilitate communication and ensure mutual understanding… And the right gestures.

Instead of shaking hands, nod in greeting and present your Chinese guests with documents with both hands. In return, the Chinese will bow with restraint. If they’re meeting you for the first time, the Chinese will have a reserved attitude without any particular effusion. If a relationship has already been established, the Chinese can be very smiling and relaxed. Europeans can sometimes be embarrassed by the fixed smile the Chinese display on first encounters. This smile, known as “Mianzi”, is a mark of respect designed to channel their emotions and even their own embarrassment. This will soon change.
 You should also avoid raising your voice or making exaggerated gestures when communicating, as these may be perceived as a loss of control.

The importance of numbers to the Chinese

In China, numbers have value and meaning.It is, for example, recommended not to give them the number 4 for a room, a table, etc…Why would you say that?Quite simply because its pronunciation is the same as that of the word…death, and the Chinese are very superstitious.Just as we don’t have rank 13 on planes, they don’t have rank 4. To avoid any assimilation with the latter, avoid placing your Chinese customers in a room or on a floor featuring this “cursed” number.Instead, use the number 6 – synonymous with happiness – and 8 – a symbol of prosperity.For the record, these two numbers are highly coveted in China, so much so that they appear in many telephone numbers and web addresses.

Colors are also important.Avoid wearing white clothes, the color of mourning in China; red is the fetish color.If you’re giving them small gifts, red is the color of choice.

How do you start a business conversation?

Chinese culture is a relational one, so it’s essential to devote time to “building trust”.Plan to spend time with them as soon as they arrive, inviting them to a restaurant or showing them around the city.The aim of this time spent together is to get to know each other better and learn to trust each other.The first topics of discussion are generally of a general nature: monuments, history, family, food….
Business topics come later.It would be impolite to start negotiations too soon, for example.The Chinese appreciate getting to know their business partners on a personal level, as this is conducive to future agreements.

How to receive them on the first evening?

Entertaining your Chinese contacts at home can be a perilous prospect.While an invitation “at home” may be possible after a few days, we don’t recommend it for the first few days.The Chinese will appreciate it if you invite them to typical restaurants and explain the particularities of French gastronomy, without imposing clichés (frogs’ legs, beef tongue…) that might disgust them without them daring to say so.Asian cultures in general are not accustomed to ordering one large dish per person. They’ll be delighted that you’ve taken it upon yourself to order a variety of sharing dishes to satisfy their tastes and curiosity.
Toasts are a common tradition at meals in China.So don’t hesitate to provide alcoholic beverages and propose toasts by raising glasses with them to celebrate the occasion. If you don’t drink alcohol, toast with them anyway and leave your glass discreetly.

The relationship with punctuality

In the same spirit as their Japanese neighbors, the Chinese attach great importance to punctuality.Make sure you’re on time for meetings and events.It shows your commitment and respect for your Chinese partner or customer.
The Chinese appreciate being taken care of, especially when it comes to administrative formalities (check-in, reservations…).These services will make relations easier.

What should they visit during their stay?

Around ten years ago, the vast majority of tourists were on organized trips, travelling by coach and following an intense itinerary (10 countries in 8 days, 12 countries in 10 days).Today, more than half of tourists, with a certain purchasing power, choose to travel independently (as a family with a child and the elderly, as a couple or with friends) and spend several nights in the same city, discovering the “art de vivre à la française”.This will enable you to offer them more experiences and places to see before or after your event.The Chinese love historical monuments, especially castles.If you’re planning this for your event, keep visits short and ideally include a “privilege” reserved for them… like a drink in the château courtyard or a visit to a room closed to other visitors…

Should I always give a gift?

In China, the tradition of giving gifts is commonplace and highly codified.If you wish to express your hospitality and gratitude, offering a small gift can be a welcome gesture.Expect people to thank you warmly for the gift, but not to open it in front of you. This is not a lack of interest on their part, but rather a mark of respect.If the gift doesn’t please them or makes them feel uncomfortable, they may find it hard to hide, so they prefer to open your gift alone. They’ll be sure to tell you all about it.