The professor revealed to Russian tourists the rules of conduct in China

HSE Professor Kiselev Told How Tourists Should Behave in China

Professor of the Higher School of Business of the National Research University Higher School of Economics Stanislav Kiselev revealed “Rossiyskaya Gazeta” rules on how Russian tourists should behave when traveling to China.

According to Kiselev, everything starts with a greeting, so Russians should remember a short and understandable “no hao!”, pronounced loudly and confidently. The expert noted that hands in China shake most often during formal meetings. As a general rule, a nod will suffice for a welcome gesture.

The professor also explained that Chinese people rarely use English, despite the fact that they teach it at school.

“If you are in Beijing, then on the street you are more likely to be answered in Russian, but you should not count on this either, and it is better to stock up on a phrasebook and dictionary or hire an interpreter. Navigation signs in the city and public announcements are also in Chinese. After the trip, you will definitely learn a few hieroglyphs – at least the entrance and exit, ”Kiselev said.

The specialist noted that cashless payments are widespread in China. The most popular e-wallets in China are Alipay and Wechat Pay. However, to pay in this way, you need a Chinese bank account. In addition, cash is still in use in China.

Also, Russians should not be surprised if in Chinese establishments they are offered a glass of water, warm or hot. This is a long tradition, according to which “boiling water allows you to return harmony to the body.”

In addition, residents of the PRC pay attention to an unusual appearance for the country: for example, if a tourist is a tall blond or blonde, then he will be provided with Chinese fans and admirers.

“Don’t get annoyed,” the professor emphasized.

In China, the culture of tips is not very common – Professor Kiselev explains this by a special perception of bribery and theft of money, which are severely punished by law. In this case, the expert advised to clarify whether it is possible to leave a tip so as not to create an awkward situation.

Special attention should be paid to instant messengers, since WhatsApp, Snapchat and Line are officially blocked in China. Instead, locals use WeChat (Weixin in Chinese). According to Kiselyov, this is the most reliable way to stay in touch in China.