Forbidden works in China – Venk Star

China is a thousand and one stories. A country with a completely different culture and customs that has its own dos and don’ts. Before traveling to this vast land with traditional beliefs, it is better to familiarize yourself with the things that can be done and the things that question the Chinese culture. Here we read about prohibited jobs in China.

China, one of the most populous countries in the world, carries the burden of several thousand years of civilization. Therefore, it is not surprising that it still adheres to traditions and has the strangest dos and don’ts. Familiarity with Chinese culture China tour makes it more attractive and helps you communicate more easily with the inhabitants of this ancient land.

Prohibited activities while traveling to China

Watching the dragon dance, visiting the tallest wall in the world, exploring the different temples with strange customs and seeing a city where it was once completely forbidden to set foot, all of them are among the attractions that should be included in the China tour. Visit them, but that’s not all part of a trip to one of the oldest countries in the world. This country has its own rules that tourists should be aware of. List of prohibited works in China are as follows:

Do not call people by their first name

Like other people in the world, the Chinese have a name and a surname; But in this country, unlike other parts of the world, they use surnames instead of first names to call people. Even Chinese women call their husbands by their last name. When you travel to China, you should observe this issue and call people by their last names out of respect. Of course, don’t forget to use the words Ms. and Mr. before calling.

Read more: What should we bring home from China?

Washing hair on Chinese New Year

Chinese New Year is one of the most glamorous festivals held in this country and has many fans. During the ceremony, we will witness creative and attractive fireworks, traditional Chinese dance and music, along with serving a variety of delicious and diverse foods. But one of the prohibited activities in China dates back to New Year’s Day. According to traditional beliefs, it is forbidden to wash hair on this day. Because it takes away luck, health, money and everything good. So the Chinese always do this before New Year’s Day.

Although, naturally, tourists do not need to comply with this, but it will be very interesting to know that this issue has its roots in Chinese customs. If you are in China on New Year’s Day, you can participate in the celebrations held on this occasion and have a lot of fun. On this day, the happiest music is played and everything smells fresh and fresh in addition to a lot of glitter.

Do not compliment the Chinese

Complimenting the Chinese won’t make their hearts melt, so don’t do it when dealing with locals. In Chinese culture, being humble is very important to the point where they say “be humble even if it kills you”, relying on this proverb they either remain silent or downplay their work and strongly deny it.

Showing the soles of the feet

It may be very normal to do many things in our culture or in other countries, but in China it is considered as an insult and even among the prohibited things in China. Doing some things is not only in China, but in other countries, it is far from communal customs! One of these things is putting your feet on the table or stretching your legs in the middle of the asan. For example, in Iranian culture, they always say don’t stretch your legs in front of an elder or don’t put your feet on the table at a party!

In China, showing the soles of your feet, i.e. putting your feet on the table in public places such as restaurants or cinemas and in official places such as meetings, etc., is prohibited and is considered a form of insult. People doing this will be asked to leave the premises. As a tourist, you should respect the culture of the Chinese people and do not do this in public places.

Read more: The strangest places to visit in China

Respect people’s privacy

It is better to refrain from kissing and hugging people to express intimacy when you meet people in China, and stick to a simple handshake and even a nod in some cases. Because they do not allow people to get too close to them and consider it an invasion of privacy. Also, the Chinese are very sensitive to social behavior, so if you see someone make a mistake, don’t mention it in public, because this makes the wrongdoer feel ashamed and considers it a sign of severe humiliation. This is one of the forbidden things in China that tourists should pay attention to.

Do not talk about the dead

The Chinese have no interest in talking about the dead and reminiscing. Do not mention dead people while traveling to this country. Of course, death is very important in Chinese culture and funerals are held officially; But after that, things always go back to normal, and no one is interested in talking about dead people.

Tipping is prohibited in China

In Chinese culture, everyone gets paid according to what they do; Therefore, restaurant staff, taxi drivers, etc. do not accept tips. In many cases, they even think that you expect more work by tipping! But you can tip the tour guides or driver in group visits to Chinese attractions if you wish.

Don’t forget the gift

Giving and receiving gifts is a favorite Chinese custom. Before traveling to this country, if you are going to meet a friend, prepare a small gift for him. This is a sign of love and it strengthens your friendship. Not opening a gift in front of the giver is another Chinese tradition; Therefore, if you receive a gift from someone, do not open it in front of him.

Another important point is that it is better to avoid items such as shoes, wall clocks and winning items when choosing a gift.

to put on green hat One of the forbidden things in China

If you wear a green hat while sightseeing in China, don’t be surprised at how others look at you, because a green hat in this country represents a traitor! Although wearing a green hat is not prohibited in China, it is better not to do it because it has no good meaning.

If you are planning to give a gift to a Chinese person, do not choose a green hat. Because by saying that you are reading, let the other party know that he is cheating on his wife!

In addition to the green hat, a watch as a symbol of death in China, an umbrella meaning separation and breaking up a relationship, and chrysanthemums, which are used in mourning ceremonies, are all prohibited gifts in China. Knowing these things will help you to communicate better with the people of this country. Also, if you are invited to the home of local people, you can prepare suitable and favorite gifts for the Chinese.

Read more: 15 interesting facts about China

Number 4, a prohibited number in China

Choice number 4 is one of the prohibited works in China! In this country, choose the adverb number 4. Why? We will answer this question below. Most of the people of the world consider 13 as a negative number and do not use it as much as possible. For example, 13th street is written as 1+12 and even some hotels do not have room number 13 or you will not see table number 13 in restaurants. In China, they have nothing to do with the number 13, and on the other hand, they consider 4 as an unlucky number.

This belief is so well established among people that in some restaurants, if you order 4 dishes, they will not bring them to you. In shops, it is better to order items in 3 or 5 pieces. In short, the Chinese have no good middle ground with the number 4. Even if you intend to buy a numbered fruit, to avoid the surprise of the seller, forget the number 4 and take more or less than this number.

If you are hosting someone, complete the hosting custom

Complimenting for a meal is a common habit between Iranians and Chinese. Even if they are very willing to accept an invitation to eat. They reject it the first time and accept it after saying it three or four times. The opposite is also true, and if they want to invite someone as a guest, they ask him several times. In fact, a good guest is someone who has refused an invitation several times, and a good host is a host who insists on his invitation. When going to a restaurant, the cost of paying the entire bill is with the inviter.

Split the pear Of the prohibited works in China

It is interesting that things that are very normal in our country and even a sign of love for the other person are among the list of prohibited things in China. For example, we share fruit or any other attractive food with our partner to show love and friendship, but be careful not to do this in China! Sharing pears in this country indicates that you intend to break up with the other party.

So never, we emphasize, never share your pears. With this, you will not see the other party again. Some Chinese customs may seem strange, but knowing these dos and don’ts is necessary to have a strong friendship with these people and establish a friendly relationship. On the other hand, many things that have become part of our daily culture may seem strange and unbelievable to the Chinese.

Read more: Chinese food Comprehensive and complete introduction

Hugging and kissing are prohibited

We Iranians, when meeting people for the first time, usually kiss and even hug the person, and we consider this to be a sign of the warmth of the relationship, but in China, it is better to behave according to the customs of this country.

Chinese people only say hello when meeting other people and shake hands if they are very close to someone. In other words, the people of this country strongly believe in protecting privacy and consider hugging or kissing as a violation. This issue has become part of the daily culture of the residents of this country.

Another point is that the head is a sacred organ for Chinese people, so do not touch people’s heads when traveling to this country, because this is considered a great insult. You may think that Chinese people are very cold in emotional relationships, but this is not true because not kissing people is just a part of the culture of this country. Chinese people are very hospitable and have a friendly relationship with tourists.

Read more: Travel guide to Shanghai, China

Do not take pictures of temples and museums

Disrespecting holy places is forbidden in China. In fact, temples are very sacred in this country and respect for religious beliefs is one of the principles and culture of tourism. So, when entering the temples, observe all the rules related to the temple and do not make fun of any movement. Taking off your shoes when visiting Buddha statues and entering temples is one of these important rules to follow. In addition, in order to protect the Buddha statues, photography is prohibited in most temples.

In some temples, tourists are allowed to take pictures with the flash turned off. Be sure to get permission from the tour guide or the relevant Masdol for this.

This law also applies to museums and antiquities. In general, when visiting religious or ancient places, pay attention to the “No Photography” sign. By observing these small things, you can experience a more carefree trip.

Using chopsticks is prohibited in China

Chopsticks are wooden tools that are used in China to eat instead of spoons; But the use of these Chinese spoons has special rules; Therefore, when eating with chopsticks, observe the following:

• Never play with chopsticks while eating.
• Do not use personal chopsticks to pick up shared food.
• Do not point at other people with chopsticks.
• Do not make noise with chopsticks.
• After finishing the meal, do not leave the sticks next to the dish. It is better to put them in a container.

Do not use credit cards

Credit cards are not very common in China. People in this country use the WeChat application for their payments and use cash. So sellers may have problems using credit cards. It is better to always carry cash for shopping in China. In this way, you can make your purchase without any hassle.

Read more: Red Dragon Attractions in Asia, China

Learn some Chinese

Most Chinese cannot speak English and it is difficult to communicate with them to ask for directions or get a taxi. It is better to learn some Chinese before traveling to China.

Control yourself when angry

Chinese people control their anger most of the time. They consider yelling in the middle of work to be wrong and far from polite. As a passenger, it is better for you to observe this issue and if you encounter a problem, solve it by talking and gently.

Other dos and don’ts of traveling to China

• Take off your shoes when entering a Chinese house.
• Give the gift to the other person with a friend.
• Do not wear white clothing in celebrations and ceremonies. White color in this country is special for funerals.
• Respect the elderly on the street.
• Cover your mouth when using a toothpick.

final word

Respecting the rules and dos and don’ts of the destination is one of the first principles of tourism! Regardless of your culture and belief, you must respect the laws of the country you plan to travel to. By following this simple principle, you can have a hassle-free and memorable trip. In this article, we got to know the prohibited activities in China and the dos and don’ts of this country. Therefore, by reading this article, you have gained a relative knowledge of Chinese culture and learned the way and method of communicating with the people of this country.