Kiss, Bow, or Shake Hands, Sales and Marketing: The Essential Cultural Guide—From Presentations and Promotions to Communicating and Closing

DO I KISS, BOW, OR SHAKE HANDS?

BOW

Typically, Chinese businesspeople bow slightly when greeting another person. In casual situations or when greeting a subordinate, the bow is often abbreviated into a simple nod.

When greeting foreigners, the Chinese often follow up their bow with a handshake.

Cultural Note

As the world’s major low-cost manufacturer, the Chinese are large participants in international trade fairs. Chinese trade fairs, which tend to specialize in particular industries, are an excellent resource for finding suppliers and buyers. The Chinese are so eager to export that they hold sourcing fairs both inside and outside of China. Chinese sourcing fairs are held regularly in the United Arab Emirates, India, Singapore, and South Africa, ...