When you learn Chinese, you probably focus on words – vocabulary, grammar, tones. But did you know that your hands can accidentally say the wrong thing? Gestures (手势 – shǒushì) carry deep meaning in China, and some innocent hand movements from your home country might be confusing or even rude. Here are six gestures you need to know before you arrive. Let’s start with the most common one. When you want to call someone over in many Western countries, you wave with your palm facing up and curl your fingers toward yourself. In China, that gesture is only used for calling animals. To call a person, you extend your arm with your palm facing down and wave your fingers downward. Try it now – palm down, fingers moving like you’re gently patting the air. That is the polite way to call a waiter, a friend, or a taxi. Next, counting on your fingers. In China, you can count from one to ten using one hand, and some numbers look surprising to outsiders. The number six is made by extending your thumb and pinky while curling the other three fingers – it looks a bit like a telephone. The number eight is made with thumb and index finger extended, which in some countries means "gun" but in China simply means eight. The number ten is either two fists crossed or one hand making a cross shape. If you learn these, you can bargain at markets without saying a single word. Now, a warning about pointing. Using one finger to point at a person is aggressive everywhere, but in China, pointing at someone's face during a conversation is especially rude. If you need to indicate a person, use your whole open hand with palm facing up, like you're gently presenting them. For pointing at objects, using one finger is fine, but using your chin to tilt upward toward something is also common and very Chinese. Here's a gesture that surprises many visitors. In China, if someone wants you to come closer, they might make a "shooing" motion – palm facing away, waving outward. This looks like "go away" to many Westerners, but in context, it means "come here." Don't be offended. Just watch the person's face and body language, and you'll understand. What about hugging? Among close friends of the same gender, hugging is fine. But between men and women who aren't close, or with older people, hugging can feel uncomfortable. A simple handshake or a small nod is always safe. And kissing on the cheek as a greeting? Almost never in China, unless you're with very Westernized friends. Finally, the most important gesture of all – receiving something with two hands. When someone gives you a business card, a gift, or even a cup of tea, hold out both hands to receive it. This shows respect (礼貌 – lǐmào). If you're holding something in one hand, at least place your other hand near your wrist or elbow as you receive. This small movement costs you nothing but leaves a deep impression of politeness. Chinese people are usually very forgiving with foreigners. Nobody will shout at you for a small gesture mistake. But learning these small differences shows respect – and respect opens every door. |
| FOLLOW US： |  |
 |
 |
 |
 |