## Major Chinese Festivals
### Spring Festival (Chinese New Year)
| When | Lunar January 1st |
|——|——————|
| Duration | 7-15 days |
| Customs | Red envelopes, family reunion, fireworks |
| Taboos | No sweeping, no breaking things |
### Mid-Autumn Festival
| When | Lunar August 15th |
|——|——————|
| Customs | Mooncakes, moon gazing, family gathering |
| Meaning | Harvest celebration, reunion |
### Dragon Boat Festival
| When | Lunar May 5th |
|——|————–|
| Customs | Zongzi, dragon boat races |
| Origin | Commemorating Qu Yuan |
## Daily Customs
### Greetings
– Handshake for first meetings
– Use titles and surnames
– Business card exchange protocol
– Respect for elders
### Dining Customs
| Practice | Meaning |
|———-|———|
| Serving elders first | Respect |
| Leaving some food | Politeness |
| Toasting | Relationship building |
| Using serving chopsticks | Hygiene |
## Social Etiquette
### Face (Mianzi)
– Give face: Praise publicly
– Save face: Correct privately
– Never embarrass in public
– Understand indirect communication
### Gift Giving
**Appropriate Occasions**:
– Visiting someones home
– Business meetings
– Festivals and holidays
– Special celebrations
**Gift Taboos**:
– Clocks (sounds like death)
– White flowers (funerals)
– Sharp objects (cutting relationship)
– Green hats (infidelity)
## Home Visits
### Guest Etiquette
1. Bring small gift
2. Remove shoes at entrance
3. Wait to be seated
4. Accept offered tea
5. Compliment the home
### Host Expectations
– Prepare extra food
– Offer tea immediately
– Show guests around
– See guests off at door
## Regional Differences
| Region | Characteristics |
|——–|—————-|
| North | Direct, hearty |
| South | Subtle, refined |
| East | Business-oriented |
| West | Traditional, relaxed |
Understanding traditions enhances your China experience significantly.