National traditions of China. Habits, mentality and the way of living

China is a country where the rapid development of industry goes hand in hand with centuries of history. The main national trait of the country's inhabitants is respect for traditions. China is a multinational state where different ethnic groups live. Each of them has its own customs and rituals: southerners and northerners have different characters. The South is inhabited by more open and friendly people, while people of the northern part are characterized by restrained manners and a closed nature. However, all Chinese are united by a commitment to ancient values.

The most important value for every Chinese citizen is the family. It is considered not only a social unit but an important component of a person's social and personal life. Modern Chinese families are built according to the canons adopted back in ancient times. Respect and veneration of the older generation play an important role in it. The Chinese society is based on patriarchy: the husband is the head of the family. The birth of a boy is a big and happy event. Not long ago, sons were given names, which in English meant "Joy," "Happiness," or "Well-being". If a girl came into the world, she could be named "The Fifth Wheel" or "A Big Mistake". Although children do not get such exotic names today, the birth of a male child is more desirable.

Another tradition going back centuries is food. Chinese like good and tasty meals. Despite the fact that many traditional dishes have been adapted for foreign tourists, using a knife or a fork is still rare in China. Chopsticks are a national cutlery. Everything except for soups is eaten with the sticks. A separate layer of Chinese culture is a tea ceremony. Depending on the season, Chinese people drink green, black or floral tea. Tea drinking is an opportunity to spend time with loved ones, show respect for guests, tune in to a positive mood and find harmony. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

People in China have a special attitude towards numbers. "Four" is considered unhappy since it is pronounced in a way similar to the word "Death". Tourists are rarely offered hotel rooms with "4" in their numbers. Another remarkable feature of Chinese is the reverent attitude towards their guests. White Europeans evoke heightened interest. He will be offered a free seat in the bus, even if he's a young man - that's how locals show their respect. Any refusal of food or drink will be perceived as ignorance, so the guest will need persistence and patience to refuse the offer.

Despite the globalization, China strictly regulates the use of the World Wide Web. Facebook and YouTube are banned in the country, and Bing is more popular than Google. Messages in social networks are tracked and moderated manually. Friendship for Chinese people is a way to establish close and useful relationships. The word "friend" may sound from their mouths from the first minutes of acquaintance, which is quite unusual for Europeans. Chinese residents, especially in the southern part of the country, are always happy to make new friends, especially if they can benefit from this. Building friendships is an important part of the interaction in the Chinese society.

An important component of Chinese etiquette is the hierarchy. In family and business, relationships are built on a vertical model. There is a whole list of rules and rituals for communicating with older and higher-status people. Honoring parents is an ancient tradition that has not changed over the years. In public relations, Chinese people appreciate the mutual respect and always show courtesy. The main traits of the locals also include hospitality, cordiality, and politeness, allowing to build harmonious relations with society.