Gift-giving in China....? ?

Question

Hi.

My boyfriend is Chinese (born and raised there). I've been dating him for a while now.... But I never met his parents. So this weekend I plan on going over to their house to meet them.

I'm really nervous, and don't really know how to behave around them. What are some things that are considered rude or unacceptable?

What gifts should I bring? Should I even bring a gift? Would flowers be okay?

ANY help is appreciated.

thank you!/xie xie!

;)

Answer 1

Don't be nervous

When you are around his parents,

just be natural...

put on your smile...be polite and be yourself.

As for gifts, flower is okay...but tea pot and tea leave won't be go wrong too...

Take it easy...go girl

Answer 2

Just remember to be polite keep that minimum respect to the elders, this is very important.

As for present is pretty easy.  Go to any Chinese Medical Stores to purchase Birds Nest. If you have the budget, you could get the expensive ones.  If not, you could even buy the pre-cooked instant bottles of bird's nest in syrup.

Bird's Nest is good for health and Chinese people (especially older people) are very health concious.  Bird's Nest smoothes the throat and repair lungs, it has anti-aging agents in there and can keep the folks the youthful look.  You can mention the above to the folks when handing the gifts to them and wish them good health, and that's gonna score 8points already!!

Don'ts:

Never stick your chopsticks into your bowl of rice at all times. Place it flat on the table or flat on the rim of your bowl

Try not to do the Sharon Stone leg-crossing unless you're sure that they are very open minded folks

Always praise that the food are nice especially the soup (so that in case they force you for another bowl, it's just the soup). However never drink soup loudly as if you're having eating competition.

Heavy make-over is deductable in points.  Clear complexion outlook always scores better.  Your kind heart will be your most beautiful assets!

A decent clothing usually plays an important role for that "first impression last" game for meeting folks.  You might not be able to score high score even if you are as pretty as Angelina Jolie (see below links)

Say you love the way they cook (even if it's sucks) and said you would to learn cooking from them so that you can cook for their son in future (even if you hates cooking and in your dictionary only states: their son should be cooking for you)