Tell me what not to do...

[Junior]

I've heard that writing peoples names in red pen is a bad idea in Taiwan because it suggests something to do with death. (Actually I'm told it's even said here in Australia but I'd never heard of it until recently, so I'm dubious about that..) My teacher said she doensnt think that Chinese are too worried about it. Can anyone clarify that?

Also the other day I was told not to stand up my chopsticks in a bowl of rice (after i did it, oops ) and not to pass food from person to person between chopsticks (again because of the death thing..)

I'm going to China in less than a week and I'd like to know these kind of things before I get there (and hopefully avoid doing them). Does anyone else know any cultural things that I SHOULDNT do in China???

Cheers...

[xuechengfeng]

A few notes from books I've read, which may or may not be paid attention to. I am not Chinese, nor live in China, so take with grain of salt.

-When dealing with merchants in markets you will be quoted prices twice as how as what the merchant expects to receive, so you must bargain, and do not give up too soon because you will lose respect, as well as money.

-Don't talk controversial politics

-Red ink is considered unlucky or rude in any situation.

-It's impolite to give gifts in any multiple of 4 because words that sound alike can be superstitious.. (si4 [4] sounds like si3[death]), round fruit brings good luck, don't bring pears to those in the hospital (li3 [pear] sounds like li2 [to leave]), bring apples ping2guo3 sounds like pin2gan2 [peace & prosperity]

-Make sure you don't cause one to lose face.

That's all I can think of, if anybody from China or Chinese can tell me if any of these or wrong, that would be helpful.

[Claw]

Also the other day I was told not to stand up my chopsticks in a bowl of rice (after i did it, oops )

Yes, that's a big no-no. When you do that, your chopsticks look like incense sticks (incense sticks are usually propped up by sticking them in a bowl of uncooked rice), which are typically used when paying respect to the dead.

[Claw]

Oh yeah... never give a clock as a gift. It also means death.

[Quest]

I would tell you not to worry too much, if you are a foreigner, they will understand even if you do something out of the norm.

[amperel]

a little OT and scary:

- don't sleep with your feet/bed facing the door (because that's how coffins are arranged)

- don't turn your head and look back if you hear your name called in the dark (like... you know, "something" scary is calling "for" you )

[Junior]

Thanks guys, this will be really helpful. Keep going if you can think of any more, I really appreciate it...

[Guest Yau]

I've heard that writing peoples names in red pen is a bad idea in Taiwan because it suggests something to do with death.

Interesting question. Writing in red can be as strange as writing EVERY WORDS IN BLOCK LETTERS AND WITH TOO MUCH UNNECESSARY EXCLAIMATION MARKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! IT REALLY MAKES ME UNCOMFORTABLE WITH IT AND I TEND TO IGNORE ALL THESE LETTERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I don't know if writing in red pen represents some thing with death, but i was repeatedly told not to do it when i was a child.

Btw, never use chopsticks to make a song, it's also regarded as impoliteness.

[Guest Yau]

a little OT and scary:

- don't sleep with your feet/bed facing the door (because that's how coffins are arranged)

- don't turn your head and look back if you hear your name called in the dark (like... you know, "something" scary is calling "for" you )

haha! what a superstition! And i love that.

-never walk along the wall or you'd be caught by ghosts.

-never take the photo at night with the background of a beach, or you'd see more than what you wanted.

Also, some traditional chinese unproved wisdoms:

- if you're a man, don't eat an egg that was cooked overnight. It will make ...scrotum larger

- don't wear socks when sleeping, or you'll be blind.

- don't eat dogs and mung beans together or you'll suffer from a palsy.