Making Conversation

Most people should be addressed by a title and their last name. You can address people by professional titles such as “General Manager Wang” or “Director Zhao” or, alternatively, if a person does not have a professional title, use Mr, Madame or Miss, plus the last name.

• Stick to safe subjects such as hobbies, family, your hometown, the Chinese landscape and Chinese culture. The Chinese often ask apparently intrusive questions about your age, income or marital status. These questions are not meant to offend, but if you don’t want to answer, remain polite and give an unspecific response.
• Avoid talking politics unless you know the person very well. Chinese people are more nervous having political debates openly. In any case, do not criticise China or Chinese leaders. Do not refer to Hong Kong as if it was still run by another administration or Taiwan or Tibet as a separate entity.
• It is fine to tell jokes in informal situations, but they are best avoided when speaking to a group. Also, be aware that cross-cultural jokes are hard to find, and often the point of a joke will be lost in translation.
• The Chinese do not like to say no. Doing so causes embarrassment and loss of face. If a request cannot be met, you might be told that it is inconvenient or under consideration. Alternatively, you might be told “yes, but it will be difficult”. This might seem like a positive response, but in reality means “no” or “probably not”.
• Gestures in conversation can have different meanings in China. Nodding means ‘I hear what you are saying’, not necessarily ‘I agree with you’. Laughing can be from embarrassment rather than because something is funny.