News

Etiquette tips for five Asian countries

20 May 2015 by Tamsin Cocks

JAPAN

INTRODUCTIONS Most people know bowing is a common form of address in Japanese culture, but did you know there should be distinctions between a male and female bow? Typically, men should bow with hands at the sides, while females place their hands together in front. The degree of the bow is also a consideration, which largely depends on the stature of yourself versus the recipient – the deeper the bend, the more respect you are conveying. Foreigners are excused from such nuances however, and a standard bowing gesture is acceptable.

HANDING OUT A BUSINESS CARD It is polite to hand out your card with both hands, as this signifies respect. A slight nod of your head also goes a long way.

DRINKS As the guest, allow your host to fill up your glass. If the drink isn’t hot, be sure to hold your glass up with both hands while your companion fills it. If you are the host, make sure that you refill your guest’s glass before it is empty.  


SOUTH KOREA

INTRODUCTIONS Like the Japanese, Koreans bow to one another as a sign of respect. However, shaking hands is also very common, especially for the younger generation or when meeting foreigners.

EATING Koreans typically use metal chopsticks to eat, which can be difficult to use for foreigners. Don’t be afraid to ask for a knife and fork if required – the locals will understand. If you’re feeling brave enough to use chopsticks, make sure that you never stick the utensils into a dish, especially a bowl of rice, as this resembles the joss sticks used to honour the dead and is considered inauspicious.

DRINKS Never fill your own glass. Instead, fill your companions glasses, and they will return the favour. Also use both hands to pour. For teapots that have only a small handle, use one hand to hold the pot, while placing the other on your chest.  

 

CHINA

INTRODUCTIONS Like many Western cultures, a firm handshake will suffice. Make sure you maintain eye contact with the person whose hand you’re shaking – not doing so could suggest dishonesty.

EATING Most Chinese are fairly relaxed about table manners, but there are a couple of etiquette practices that should be observed. This includes not picking at your food – once you’ve touched a piece, take it. Confucius’ teachings suggest that it’s wrong to leave others something that you don’t want. Furthermore, make sure to leave a little food on your plate when you’ve finished. Clearing your plate is a sign that you want more food and your host failed to fill you up, while leaving too much indicates that you didn’t like it. Maintain a balance, and signal to your host that you’ve had enough by rubbing your tummy.

DRINKS If you only learn a few choice phrases in Mandarin, “ganbei” is a good one to include. Literally mean “dry glass”, the term is used as a toast before everyone drinks. Tradition dictates that you should finish your glass in one swig, but exercise caution! Chinese liquor can be very strong; baijiu (sometimes mistranslated as white wine) can have an eye-watering 65 per cent alcohol content. Former US president Richard Nixon famously practised drinking before meeting with Chairman Mao Zedong in China.

 

SINGAPORE

INTRODUCTIONS As a multi-cultural country Singapore is home to a mix of primarily Chinese, Malays and Indians, so it’s good to be aware of different ethnic backgrounds. A firm handshake is fairly standard for most people, however some of the more conservative Muslims prefer to avoid touching the opposite sex. If someone declines to hold out their hand, and bows to you instead, follow suit. Hugging is generally a big no-no, especially between people that have just met.

HANDING OUT A BUSINESS CARD Hold your card delicately at the top corners and present it the correct way up. This allows the recipient to clearly see the text, which they will likely study in front of you and ask a few questions relating to your occupation. It is polite to reciprocate in the same manner.

EATING As with introducing yourself, be respectful of different cultures and ethnic beliefs of Singaporeans. Many Indians are vegetarians, while Muslim Malays may only consume halal food. Beef is generally not a good choice, as many Hindus and Buddhists refrain from eating it. If you’re in charge of the menu, make sure you have chicken or fish options alongside vegetarian dishes.   

 

INDONESIA

INTRODUCTIONS Forget about firm handshakes in Indonesia, which could come across as aggressive. Instead, a light shake of the palm followed by placing your hand on your chest is the way to go. In a meeting, it is customary to shake everybody’s hands – save for Muslim women. To be sure, when it comes to approaching females, wait for them to make the first move. If they raise their hand, feel free to reciprocate. If not, bow and move on.

EATING Indonesians often eat food with their hands rather than utensils. If you’re happy to follow suit, there is only one rule. Regardless of whether you are left or right-handed, always use your right hand to pick up food. (The left hand is reserved for less sanitary practices…)

DRINK Refrain from finishing your drink completely, as this is considered impolite. Leave a little bit at the bottom of your glass, and your host will most likely ask you if you would like more. Feel free to say “yes” to that!

 

Article thumbnail courtesy of Texas A&M University

 

Clement Huang

 

 

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