Chinese Business Etiquette Guide Part 7 Drinking Culture And Manner In China

(1) If you are a wimpy drinker, then never ask for even one sip. What you should do is to enjoy the food and that’s all.

(2) If you are sure to drink some alcohol, then you should not haggle over when, how and how much to drink—you should follow the rules:

1. As an old Chinese saying goes, the more you drink the deeper your friendship is. But you should not mention it when you are drinking with others.

2. Keep a low profile, save your strength to the right moment.

3. You should wait to propose your own toast till the leaders finished their toasts.

4. It is common for many people to propose a toast together to one people , but you should not propose a toast to many people at a time unless you are a leader.

5. When you propose a toast, if you are not going to clink glasses, you can decide how much to drink according to the situation such as the drinking capacity and the mood of other people. But as a toaster it is not appropriate for you to drink less than the others.

6. When proposing a toast, if you are going to clink the glasses with the others, it’s really generous for the words goes like “I will finish mine, you at will!”

7. Pouring wine for the leader or the guests in time and do not drink on the leaders behave. When you indeed have to do so, drink the fill gladly as if you enjoy it—not doing a favor for your boss. If your boss is not a good drinker, you have to euphemistically reject the people who want to propose a toast.

8. When holding up a glass (beer glass), with right hand hold the glass and left hand under the glass. You have to remember your glass should be lower than the others, but if you are a leader, do not put too low.

9. If no special guests are present, you’d better clink glasses in clockwise order, do not be partial to one while neglecting the other.

10. You should make a toast before clink glasses, or else what to drink for?

11. No business talk on the table. If you drink well, the business will naturally go well too.

12. Follow the rules and mind your words. If you have really done something wrong. You should drink to show your apology.

13. Suppose the wine is not enough, please put the wine in the center of the table and do not pour in turn in case the wine should run dry.

14. Finally, always remember to keep a full glass, or else people will fill it up and make you drink it all.

15. Mind your tongue and behavior after you have finished drinking. Do not boast around and talk beyond yourself. Do not wave your chopsticks around or point fingers at the others. And do not slurp when having soup. And do remember burp and fart are really impolite during a banquet. If you must do so, go and find yourself a bathroom.

16. Do not keep on saying” I can not drink alcohol” (if, in fact, you really do drink alcohol), in case others call you a hypocrite. Believe it or not, people can see you right through when you are lying about your drinking habit.

17. If the boss were to propose a toast to you, you should finish your fill all at once to show your respect. And do remember to hold the glass with both hands and place your glass very low.

18. Peanut is a good side dish for a alcohol drinker. Keep a clear head to take care of the others. Even a glass of yogurt and hot water will make others think you are sweet and considerate.

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