A Strange Habit Guide to What You Will See In China

Many countries and their citizens have a habit that may seem strange to other people. These strange habits are a further contrast when comparing Western and Eastern cultures. 

Let’s dive into this strange habit guide that Chinese people do.

What are Chinese table manners habits?

Here, we'll look at some basic rules when eating in Chinese-speaking countries.

1. Using chopsticks

In the West, it is common to use spoons, forks, and knives. But the number one tool used in most Asian countries, including China, is chopsticks.

So, if you're in China or having dinner with Chinese friends, you better learn how to use chopsticks when eating.

There are two things you should avoid doing:

1. Don't beat chopsticks on your bowl: this behavior is associated with beggars, and it's considered impolite

2. Don't place your chopsticks vertically in a bowl of rice when you're not using them: it reminds you of incense sticks Chinese people burn at funerals.

If you're not used to using chopsticks, try your best; you can ask your Chinese friends, and they'll be happy to teach you. 

2. There is no tipping

Tipping is uncommon in China. So at bars or restaurants, customers don't usually tip.

This one felt like a normal habit to me, as it is similar to my home country. However, tipping is common in the USA, where not tipping can be rude. That is not the case in China.

There are a lot of rules when it comes to Chinese dining etiquette.

What are some strange habits at a Chinese school?

Here are some strange habits at a Chinese school when I studied in Beijing.

3. Sleeping on desks at school or at work

Taking a power nap in-between classes or during your break by resting your head on your desk is a common practice in China. Probably because students and workers are usually very busy and only get a little sleep at night.

4. Wearing slippers at school

For context: universities in China are like small cities: dorms, classrooms, gyms, mini-markets, and cafeterias are typically located in the same building or within a short distance. 

Maybe it's the same in your country, but in mine, it's not. We have to rent an apartment and walk to class, so we usually dress up to attend school.

In China, students go from their room to class and don't care much about their looks. I did the same thing when I was studying in China. I wore slippers everywhere, a habit I hope will become popular everywhere.

What are some other strange Chinese habits?

As a foreigner coming from a very distant and different place, everything in China surprised me, and I saw something new and different around every corner. In this paragraph, I'll tell you about some Chinese habits I found more strange and fascinating.

5. Square dancing

Square dancing, in Mandarin 广场舞 guǎngchǎng wǔ, is something you'll see in China: groups of older women practicing dance routines in the city squares in the evening as a sport and a habit.

A group of women squaring dancing, Baidu images

Some dances occur in their neighborhood, in courtyards, and between apartment complexes.

This strange habit is very cute, as it's a way to keep in shape and dispel loneliness. It shows how Chinese people connect more with their community than their Western counterparts.

6. Taobao packages on the street

People in China buy practically everything on Taobao. 

Check it out, and you will understand why. You can find everything you need, it's very cheap, and orders are delivered in just a few days. 

It's like Amazon but cheaper and with a far wider choice.

What I found weird is that 快递 kuài dì, or couriers, don't ring your bell or leave the package at your door. Instead, a pile of packages will be somewhere near your house, waiting for people to come and collect them.

A pile of taobao packages left on the side of the street, Baidu images

However, it seems normal considering the number of orders people place daily. Especially in big Chinese cities where people live in huge buildings with many apartment rooms, it would be impractical to deliver the packages individually.

7. Tomatoes in a fruit salad

Not sure if this habit is as strange as it appears, but I was a little traumatized when I first found tomatoes in my fruit salad.

Yes, tomatoes are technically a fruit, but I'm used to putting them on pizza and pasta as an Italian. I won't say it's bad, but it certainly was weird.

Tomatoes in fruit salad, Baidu images

8. Walnuts for hand-massage

In China, you'll see older adults fidgeting with two smooth walnuts on the subway or in the park.

Two walnuts in the palm of a hand, China Daily

When I first saw these walnuts, I thought they were made of wood or hard plastic, but nope. They are real walnuts that become that smooth over time. 

They act similar to Baoding balls as it benefits circulation and can bring good luck.

9. Paying with your phone with WeChat or Alipay 

One of the things I miss the most while living in China is paying with my phone. Not needing to bring cash or my wallet is really convenient.

You can pay for everything, and I mean everything using the WeChat app or Alipay. You can use both applications at the tiniest shop or someone selling ice creams on the street. 

All you have to do is to show your WeChat pay QR code to scan to pay.

Street vendor selling Chinese street food while holding up his QR pay code, Google images

The only thing you have to do to be able to use this payment method is to get a Chinese debit or credit card, but if you're planning to stay in China for a few months, I recommend this payment option to you.

10. Umbrellas on a sunny day

I've been to China both during summer and winter, but I have seen more umbrellas during the summer! Chinese people like to use umbrellas to protect themselves from the sun.

Walking with umbrellas on a sunny day, The Heart Thrills

This strange habit may be weird, but the current Chinese beauty standard is to have pale skin. So Chinese people try to avoid getting tanned by all means. Additionally, you will never see Chinese people sunbathing. 

This Chinese habit, along with wearing sunscreen, is something worth getting accustomed to.

11. Hot water

热水 rèshuǐ, or hot water, is the cure for everything according to Chinese people.

Going on a summer hike on the Great Wall? You better bring some hot water with you. Headache? Drink hot water. Your boyfriend broke up with you? Drink some hot water, and everything will go away.

多喝热水 duō hē rè shuǐ: drink more hot water, Baidu images

In China, you will see people drinking hot, or at least warm, water from a thermos everywhere you go.

Some public bathrooms have hot drinking water dispensers where people can fill up their bottles. One time, I was at the airport in Rome, waiting at the gate to get on a flight to Beijing, and Chinese people were asking for hot water at the bar to fill up their bottles!

In the summer, mini-markets also sell cold water, but I've never seen anyone in China buy it. I've seen locals looking in shock at someone drinking cold water from the fridge.

Drinking warm water may initially feel strange, but it's not that bad once you get past this culture shock.

12. Spitting

You may have already heard of this strange habit, as it's something that foreigners are usually shocked about when first visiting China. Chinese people often spit in public, on the street. 

It can look (and sound) disgusting to you but try not to give it a bad look: in China, spitting is normal.

13. Squat toilets

You may already know squat toilets are very common in China. However, you may not know that some public bathrooms don't have walls. So there's no privacy!

Toilet stalls within separating walls, Baidu images

14. The “Asian squat”

On the topic of squatting, Chinese people often sit in this position that seems impossible to maintain, at least for me, and look very comfortable doing it. In this position, Chinese people eat, read, and wait for the bus.

15. Weird comments/compliments

Chinese people can be straightforward regarding comments about your appearance, especially when they see characteristics not commonly found among Chinese people.

I wear a European 39 shoe size, which is a little big by Chinese standards. Let's say Chinese shop assistants didn't hide their astonishment. The same happened to my friend looking for a beautician to wax her legs and my curly-haired friend going to the hairdresser. 

My piercings and tattoos also were commented on with shocked expressions when I was in China, and I received comments about my "high nose bridge."

They don't mean anything bad. It's just that Chinese people are still not very used to foreigners.

16. Taking photos of or with you

If you are a foreigner visiting any big Chinese city or tourist attractions in China, you'll likely meet many Chinese who may have never met Westerners.

For this reason, they may take pictures of you or ask you to take a picture with them, and you'll feel like a celebrity.

In closing

This strange habit guide is being seen through a foreigner’s perspective. While these habits may seem strange to us, it is completely normal for those living in China.

Hopefully, one day you'll experience one of these habits in real life.

See you in the next article!

Elisa Felici has been studying Chinese since 2014. She started her language-learning journey at Italian universities and lived in Beijing while attending Beijing’s Confucius Institute. Elisa passed HSK 4 and 5 and finally, in 2020, HSK 6. She now has a Master’s degree in translation and interpreting and has experience not only as a language learner but also as a Chinese teacher and translator.