China

Customs of China

Marriage and Family

Historically, loyalty to the family unit and the lineage has always been important to the Chinese. Stringent family-planning policies limiting urban Chinese couples to one child have been in practice since the early 1980s. To help the family-planning program succeed, young people are encouraged to wait to marry. In fact, college students are forbidden to marry until after graduation. The sanctioned age for marriage is 22 for men and 20 for women. Those who marry before that age are not eligible for some of the same benefits as those who wait.

In order to marry, a couple first seeks permission from the local governing unit. If granted, a legal contract is recorded without a wedding ceremony. The couple then joins family and friends in a marriage celebration. Wedding rings are becoming somewhat more common. The woman retains her father's surname and does not take the family name of her husband. A woman is considered part of her husband's family after she has married, although many women, especially those belonging to the younger generations, maintain a close relationship with their families after marriage. Sons are traditionally valued more than daughters because they remain within their family, providing for their parents in old age and continuing the family line. Most people want their children to be well educated and more prosperous than they themselves have been.

Eating

Generally, there is not a great variety of food available throughout the country, except where private enterprise is well established. What people eat depends largely on what is produced in the region where they live. Dishes with potatoes, tofu, maize meal, rice, and other grains are staple meals. Noodles are also common and man tou (steamed bread) is a staple in northern China. Dishes made with pork, beef, chicken, or fish are popular but expensive. Specialties vary from region to region, from duck in Beijing to spicy dishes in Sichuan province. Fruits and vegetables are eaten in season. In rural areas, few dairy products are available or eaten. Sauces are mixed with vegetables and meats and eaten with rice.

Chopsticks are used for all meals in China. Food is placed at the center of the table and may include more than one type of main dish to be eaten with rice. Some food is taken to be placed in the bowl, which is then held close to the mouth for eating. Inedible bones and seeds are placed on the table or in a dish but never back in the rice bowl. When finished, a person places the chopsticks neatly on the table; they are not left in the rice bowl. Soup is served toward the end of a meal, except in Guangdong province, where soup is served as the first course.

At restaurants, a revolving tray at the center of the table allows guests to sample from several dishes. Toasts are offered to the whole table and sometimes to a neighboring table. At formal banquets, guests should have a short, friendly speech prepared to respond to a host’s remarks.

Socializing

The Chinese nod politely or bow slightly when greeting another person. A handshake is also acceptable, especially in formal situations or to show respect. Ni hao ma? ('How are you?') is a frequently used greeting. A common informal greeting is Chi le ma? (“Have you eaten?”). The response is either Chi le (“Yes”) or Mei you (“Not yet”). People often reply 'Chi le' even if they have not eaten, in order to be polite. The Chinese tend to be formal in their introductions; they use the full titles of their guests but are less precise in identifying themselves. Chinese names usually consist of a one-syllable family name, followed by a one- or two-syllable given name. A person is either addressed by the full name or by the family name and title. In lieu of professional titles, the Chinese equivalents of “Mr.” and “Mrs.” are used. Thus, Wang Jian-Jun can also be called “Mr.” Wang, but never simply Wang and rarely ever Jian-Jun. In place of titles, the terms Lao and Xiao might be used between friends, the former for older friends and the latter for younger ones. Titles such as “Teacher” or “Doctor” may also be used.

Except in crowds, where physical contact is unavoidable, the Chinese do not touch people they do not know. A smile is preferred to a pat on the back or a similar gesture. This is especially important when dealing with older people or people in important positions.

Invitations are usually extended for formal gatherings, but otherwise it is common to drop by unannounced. When invited, one is generally prompt; being more than a few minutes late is considered impolite. Guests conduct themselves with restraint and refrain from loud, boisterous speech and actions. Valuable gifts are usually not accepted from strangers, but small gifts may be given by friends. In fact, friends often bring gifts such as tea, cigarettes, fruit, chocolates, cakes, or wine when they visit. Hosts rarely open wrapped gifts until visitors leave. Refreshments are usually offered, but it is not impolite to decline them. It is common for the host to insist several times before accepting the guest’s refusal. Evenings usually end quite early, as many Chinese are early risers.

Recreation

Theaters, ballets, films, and cultural monuments all provide recreation in cities. Imported films are popular; the average Chinese attends more than ten each year. Traveling cultural groups perform in rural areas. Sports are popular, and facilities are found in most cities. Favorites include table tennis, swimming, and soccer. Parks and courtyards are often filled in the morning by those practicing t’ai chi ch’uan, a traditional form of shadowboxing that provides exercise and meditation.

People enjoy gathering for discussion or card and table games. Many ancient and popular games originated in China, including majiang (mah-jongg), which is the nation’s most popular table game; Chinese chess; and various card games. Wei qi (known as “Go” in some other countries) is a strategy game played in more educated circles.

Holidays and Celebrations

The first official public holiday of the year is celebrated on 1 January. The Chinese New Year celebration (also called the Spring Festival) is held in January or February, according to the Chinese lunar calendar. As the most important holiday, the Spring Festival is marked by several days of festivities, including banquets, family gatherings, carnivals, and dragon dances. The government ensures that food supplies are abundant during the days of celebration; fish (a symbol of abundance), meat, prawns, rice, and jiaozi (Chinese dumplings) are typical Spring Festival delicacies.

The change of seasons from winter to spring occurs on or around 5 March, and is called Jing zhe (Ching Che), or the Feast of Excited Insects. The Chinese regard this as the day “the dragon raises his head” and stirs the insects from their hibernation. Rituals are carried out to help revive the earth’s fertility.

International Women’s Day is observed on 8 March. It originated in the United States in the 1850s when women protested working conditions in the garment and textile industries. It is now honored in China and many other countries around the world to acknowledge the contributions of women. Labor Day is observed on 1 May as a time to celebrate improved conditions for the general workforce. International Literacy Day, on 8 September, has been observed since the 1960s by China and other countries that belong to the United Nations (UN). People’s Republic of China

The Birthday of K’ung Fu-tzu (Confucius), also known as Teacher’s Day, is celebrated on 28 September. Confucius, who was born in 551 bc, played a major part in shaping the ethics and politics of China. Confucianism advocates respect, obedience, and selflessness, while emphasizing virtues such as wisdom, justice, and loyalty.

Another public holiday is National Day (1–2 October), followed by United Nations Day on 24 October. The Birthday of Sun Yat-sen is celebrated on 12 November. Revered as the father of modern China due to his plans for industrialization, Sun Yat-sen played a leadership role in Chinese politics in the first part of the 20th century.

Other traditional festivals celebrated in China during different times of the year include the Lantern Festival (15th day of the first lunar month), the Dragon Boat Festival (5th day of the fifth lunar month), and the Mid-Autumn, or Moon Festival (15th day of the eighth lunar month