by Amaryllis Holloway-Turman

Created on: January 15, 2007   Last Updated: June 10, 2010

Before travelling in China, you need to know a little about Chinese culture. Below is an interview with a Chinese lady. Hopefully this information will help you before you visit China.

1. Name of Interviewee: Aihua

2. How do people greet each other - shake hands? bow? embrace? other? People usually greet one another by saying Ni hao (which is pronounced knee-how). They might shake hands. But they do not hug, embrace, or kiss. For the most part, Chinese people are very reserved.

3. On what occasions would you present or accept gifts? What gifts are considered appropriate? If flowers, what kind? (some have special meanings) Weddings are special occasions where you give gifts. Usually you only go to the wedding and wedding dinner. The gift is money. At Chinese new year, the gift is a red envelope which has money inside. During this time at work, they give bonuses. The children who are not in school get gifts (money) from grandparents, aunts and uncles.

4. How are children disciplined at home? at school? It is customarily to beat them. At school, children who misbehave usually have to stand in the corner, stay after school in a study hall, and then they call your parents.

5. Are children usually present/participants at social gatherings? Elderly members of the family? Women of the family? For family gathering, everyone is together. Formal important, the men olden times, the women would not be allowed to sit at the same table as the men.

6. In schools, are children segregated? If so, how - race? class or caste? sex? religion? grade level? age? Yes. Same as the states. First grade primary school 7- 9 middle 10-12 high school. College same as the states- 4 year university 2 year technical school

7. What is the literacy rate for the country or region? For the northwest area very low. Not very developed and very poor area. People don't have enough money to send children to school. And not enough schools in the area.

8. How are public sanitation and garbage dealt with? There is a solid waste management problem. That leads to contaminated water and other environmental problems. There is sanitation pick up. Usually people put their trash out to be picked up. Whatever the scavengers do not get is picked up.

9. What is the normal dress of women? of men? Silk is the cloth of choice. Men and women wear silk clothing. Women wear blouses, skirts, and pants. Some younger women wear shorts. Men wear shirts, slacks, and Bermuda shorts.

10. What foods are taboo?

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