Q: I have heard so many things about business etiquette in Asia. What is basic business etiquette in China that I should know about?

A: A. Business etiquette in China is similar to other regions of Asia. Here are some basic business etiquette items that you must follow while in China.

1. There is a formal protocol that exists when it comes to business cards. Business cards should be given and received with both hands, duly scrutinized and then stored with care. If you plan on spending time in China, a Mandarin translation on the back of your business card is good protocol.

2. If you are invited to a Chinese meal, allow the host to pay. If you insist on splitting the bill or paying for it fully, your host may lose face which is a big deal in China. A better approach would be to reciprocate with a later invitation of your own, but this is not mandatory.

3. If you are invited to a Chinese home, bring a small gift such as fruit or chocolate. Make certain that you arrive on time, definitely accept any offer of tea, and leave earlier rather than later as being polite is the highest form of thanks in China.

Thanks to Paul Doherty, AIA. He is the managing director of General Land Corp. a full-service, global real estate development firm with a focus on the Asia Pacific market. Paul is a thought leader, strategist and integrator of technology and business. He is an author, educator, analyst and consultant to Fortune 500 organizations, global government agencies and prominent institutions and is on the board of directors of the International Facility Management Association (IFMA). He can be contacted at pdoherty@general-land.com.

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