You’re  a laowai,a foreigner, a non-Chinese. And what’s worse, you can’t help it. But if you’re planning a trip to Beijing, there are a few simple cultural guidelines that will help you win points with the locals and make the most of your time in China’s capital.

The meet and greet

Like the world over, first impression are key. Yet in contrast to neighboring Asian countries, the Chinese usually don’t bow as a form of greeting. Today’s China has lost much of its formality, so when meeting someone for the first time a gentle handshake accompanied by a slight nod should suffice.If you happen to exchange business cards with a Chinese counterpart,proceed with care. The business card is revered object in China, and receiving someone’s, accept it with both hands and read it in their presence.

That’s Mr. Yao to you

Say you’re in Beijing and you happen to run into  basketball superstar Yao Ming. Given the size of the city,17.4 Million,I’d say this is likely to very likely. Whatever you do, do not refer to him as Mr. Ming. In China, one’s family name comes first, then followed by the given name. So Ming is the first name and Yao, the last. Obviously, this should apply to the rest of the population, not just the notorious big man.

Once,twice,three times a lady

if you feel so compelled to offer someone a gift while in China, know that it’s polite to refuse the present two or three times before accepting. Be persistent with the offering. Waiting for the gift reflects modesty and humility while grabbing something in haste is a sure sign of aggression and greed. As for wrapping, stick with red, which represents luck;avoid white and black as they are most often associated with funerals.

Pushing on up

Waiting in the line for anything in Beijing can be a very Darwinian experience of sink or swim. If you follow what your mother taught, you’ll never see the front of the counter. Diminutive sweet old ladies will barge through you like you’re not even there. So when the occassion calls, don’t be hesitant to put those fabled American haunches to good use.

Terms：

formality:礼节

suffice:vi.足够，有能力

counterpart:副本，极相似的人或物

revere:尊敬，敬畏，崇敬

notorious:声名狼藉的，众所周知的（应该用famous比较妥当）

modesty,humility:谦虚，谦卑

in haste:急速地，急忙地，草率地

barge：驳船，游艇；蹒跚，闯入

Darwinian experience:达尔文的，达尔文主义的 ？？

haunch:腰，臀部

diminutive:小的，小型的， 爱称

Sentences:

I’d say this is likely to very likely.

见：http://www.2008.nbcolympics.com/destinationbeijing/news/newsid=119909.html#saving+face+surviving+beijing