If You Break These Bizarre Rules In China, You Could Get In Serious Trouble

How do you prefer your handshakes – gentle or firm? If it’s the latter, you could be in for a shock in China. According to the website China Highlights, hard greetings aren’t appreciated by the locals. In their eyes, it’s seen as an act of hostility and antagonism. So watch your pressure when you press the flesh, folks!

“Respect your elders.” That phrase has been doing the rounds for a very long time now, but it’s not just a message in China… it’s the law. No joke. Apparently, when you encounter a person who’s older than 70 there, you’ve got to bow down in their presence. Then, you need to offer a solemn word to the “Gods of the Ancients.” Pretty wild, right?

While chopsticks might not be the easiest of utensils to use at the dinner table, mastering them is hugely satisfying. But if you’re visiting China, that’s not the only thing you need to worry about. The Business Insider website reports that you shouldn’t put the sticks in a vertical position inside your bowl. It’ll mirror a ceremonial donation to the spirit world.

Naturally, we all hope that our friends and loved ones like the presents that we buy for them on special occasions. Yet people in China need to be especially cautious on that front. Why? Well, gifts that hold any kind of symbolism will go down like a lead balloon. For instance, clocks denote death while anything with a sharp edge could be construed as breaking off a personal connection.

Did you know that residents of China have to deal with certain restrictions in their lives? It all ties back to the hukou system. As per website The Travel, this process basically stops people from mingling with others who come from different classes. It covers geographical areas, too. So, if you’re in a place that you shouldn’t be for over three days, you’ve got to ask for a “temporary residence permit.” Yikes.

Are you a fan of the Back to the Future franchise? Well, good luck watching any of those movies in China. You see, the media higher-ups decided to ban films and TV programs about time travel in 2016. Apparently, they believed that the plot device could double as a symbolic analysis of current affairs, which flew in the face of their new directives. Jeez! To see that one coming you’d need… Oh, wait… Oops.

Should you ever take a trip to China, the bathroom situation may well trouble you. Not only are the majority of toilets just holes in the floor, but kids are given the green-light to go wherever they want. According to a student blogger on the IES Abroad website, nappies are too costly for many households in the Asian country. So, moms and dads cut openings into the youngsters’ trousers. Don’t be offended!

If you’re prone to drawing notice to things with an extended finger, you could have a tough time in China. According to Business Insider, the country’s Tibetan residents believe that it’s an impolite, ill-mannered action. But don’t fret. Should you be desperate to point something out, just lift up the underside of your hand and keep it level, before directing it to the desired spot.

Back in May 2011 The New York Times newspaper reported that China had banned jasmine flowers. We’re serious! You can’t buy the plants, sport them on clothing or even speak their name in the country. This move came about due to the “Jasmine Revolution” in Tunisia earlier that year, as locals fought their government. The phrase then started to spread online around the Asian nation, leading to the veto.

When you go to a restaurant in the West, tipping the staff is almost second nature. They certainly appreciate it! Yet that’s not the case in China. In fact, the workers might see it as an offensive gesture. According to the TripSavvy website, accepting it implies that they’re looking for a handout. On top of that, it’s against the law to leave tips at Chinese airports as well, so put your wallet away.

If you’re looking to walk along a pedestrian crossing in China’s capital, don’t expect the automobiles on the road to slow down for you – they won’t. Why? Well, thanks to Beijing’s traffic regulations, motorists will be hit with a financial penalty by bringing their cars to a halt. Be careful, folks.

Alice in Wonderland is a literary classic. But don’t be surprised if you receive a few baffled looks by pulling the story out in China. You see, the Asian nation barred it in the early 1930s for an intriguing reason. As the Governor of Hunan Province stated at the time, “Animals shouldn’t use human language, and it’s disastrous to put animals and human beings on the same level.”

China’s gambling laws are...interesting to say the least. Stuff like the lottery, online versions of the slots and placing wagers on sporting events are all okay, providing that you use “approved channels.” Yet poker, mah-jong and other casino-like activities are illegal outside of that. Still with us? Great! Just watch where you’re putting your money.

How about this for a crazy rule? In the long distant past, China’s imperial government didn’t want any outsiders to know how silk was manufactured. Incredibly, they kept that information under wraps for more than a millennium. If someone blabbed, they’d be executed via torture. But a pair of monks eventually shared it with the world in 550 A.D., escaping the punishment. Hey, we said it was wild!

We don’t know about you, but we’d be fascinated to hear how many adult websites exist online. Thousands? Millions? In China, though, the answer’s a lot simpler – you won’t find any. Yep, The Travel reported that X-rated web pages are blocked. Oh, and if you do manage to visit – or indeed host – anything along those lines, you face a three-year jail sentence.

While it might seem like the perfect place to dump rubbish, don’t drop anything like that into the rice bowls in China. According to China Highlights, you need to find a different place for the seeds and bones that come with your food. In most cases, you’ll be handed a tiny dish to house the stuff you can’t eat.

The year 2018 proved hugely significant for China, as it was revealed that the standard presidential terms were getting scrapped. Quite simply, that opened the door for President Xi Jinping to stay in office for as long as he liked. Due to that, certain words and expressions were then censored by the government. Business Insider noted that “disagree,” “I oppose,” and “personality cult” are all barred.

If you take a stroll by the sea in China, something strange could catch your eye. Yes, those people are indeed wearing rubber masks over their heads. But don’t stare at them – it’s a perfectly normal fashion choice there. These items are called face-kinis, and wearers sport them to prevent sunburn, as well as stings from jellyfish, at the beach. Whatever works, right?

In a lot of households around the world, the dining table is the last place you’d want to release a burp. It’d be bad manners, to say the least. That’s not the case in China, though. As per Business Insider, belching there is regarded as a polite expression to the individual who prepared your food. Don’t take offense at the sound!

Hoping to make a good impression when greeting an individual in China? Well, whatever you do, resist the urge to hug them. China Highlights noted that over-the-top introductions like that could leave the local recipient a little uneasy. With that in mind, just stick with friendly handshakes – gentle ones obviously. It’s for the best.

Naming a baby is clearly a landmark moment for moms and dads. But China doesn’t afford complete freedom to parents in that respect. According to the website eChinacities.com, if a name can’t be written in Mandarin, it’s off limits. To give you an example, a guy wanted to call his child “@,” only for officials to stop him.

It might seem a bizarre rule, but there’s a very important reason why you shouldn’t place your hand on a Tibetan’s noggin. China Highlights reported that according to local beliefs, God is said to live in that part of your body. It’d be an affront to lay your hands upon it.

Do you struggle to make time to see your parents? Well, it’s a good thing that you don’t live in China. As per The Travel, the country’s government unveiled the “Elderly Rights Law” back in 2013. This piece of legislation means that residents can’t go long periods without dropping in on their folks. Flat-out ignoring them is illegal.

How do you handle personal questions? Are you open to them, or do you take offense? If it’s the latter, conversations in China are sure to knock you off balance. According to China Highlights, queries about your romantic relationships and financial situation should all be expected. The person posing them just wants to find a mutual understanding with you. You don’t have to respond, though, so chill out!

Who doesn’t like receiving compliments? Yet you’ve got to be careful if someone throws praise your way while visiting China. Business Insider reported that you shouldn’t embrace kind words immediately, for fear of coming across as a bit of a narcissist. It’s not the greatest look.

Okay, things are about to get very weird. eChinacities flagged up a local rule that says guys are forbidden from “intentionally” devouring a person’s spouse for dinner. Now, will that same regulation cover fellas who do it by accident? We’re not too sure. Either way, it’s unlikely to crop up.

If red ink is your preferred choice when writing out notes or letters, you’re sure to raise a few eyebrows in China. You see, the shade has a number of negative connotations there. As per China Highlights, it could be seen as a critique or a sign of a terrible announcement. Plus, the color’s also utilized in files that document a prisoner’s execution. Just go with a blue or black pen instead.

The next time you book an appointment with your doctor, spare a thought for China’s residents. They’ve got to jump through a lot of hoops for the same privilege. The Travel noted that they need to get hold of a “registration ticket” first for a monetary fee. Then, the person can select their preferred physician, ahead of receiving an identification card. They can be seen after that. Talk about convoluted!

Whether it’s our birthday or Christmas morning, we all want to tear open our presents straightaway. Age be damned! But it’s not like that in China. In fact, if you’re overly keen to rip off the wrapping paper when someone hands you a box, it’s deemed quite rude. China Highlights revealed that you should wait until everyone’s gone home first.

Should you ever find yourself in one particular part of Guizhou Province, don’t be alarmed if you see a bunch of kids lifting their arms up when vehicles go by. They’re just following an important regulation. eChinacities stated that Luolang Elementary School youngsters also have to stand still while saluting the cars. It’s to prevent tragic collisions. And it works!

Here’s a question for you – how do you handle public displays of affection? Are you okay with them, or do they make you uneasy? If you’re in the latter camp, you have something in common with China. Yep, China Highlights reported that kisses and other lovey-dovey stuff can make local residents feel a little awkward, so the gestures should be swerved.

Understandably, you might feel a bit concerned or uncomfortable when confronted with the authorities in a foreign land. At the same time, though, you’ve got to stay composed – especially in China. If you don’t, not only will the conversation become a lot more strained, but you’ll lose the respect of the person speaking to you. Trust us, that’s not good.

Right, when it comes to punctuality in China, people have to walk a very fine line. Of course, it’s inadvisable to be late for an engagement, as that could show a lack of manners. Then again, you don’t want to arrive ahead of schedule, either. Yes, China Highlights noted that it’ll give off the same impression. Who saw that coming? So, to be safe, just get there on the dot.

Think police dogs can be scary? Well, wait until you get a load of this. As per Business Insider, the cops in China utilize geese during their shifts instead. Apparently, these feathered officers are more effective than their canine counterparts thanks to their eyes and belligerence. With that in mind, don’t cross them!

To explain this next rule, a user named Gavin wrote up a post on China Highlights, which discussed the country’s table manners. He said, “Let older people eat first, or if you hear an elder say ‘let’s eat,’ you can start to eat. You shouldn’t steal a march on the elders.” Sounds fair.

We’ve got a question for you, folks – how many criminal acts do you think warrant the death penalty in China? Something tells us you won’t get it right, but have a guess. The answer? 46. Wow! The Travel revealed that some of those misdemeanors cover rules broken by members of the military. They can range from excessive timidity to ignoring instructions. Talk about harsh.

If you’re heading to a dinner party in China, Gavin offered the following bits of advice via China Highlights. He said, “Don’t put too much food into your mouth at a time to avoid leaving a gluttonous impression. Neither should you stretch your neck, open your mouth wide and extend your tongue to catch food you’re lifting [up].”

In the past, China had very strict rules – with deterrents including financial penalties and job loss – that discouraged parents from having more than one baby. Yet that came at a cost. As per the BBC News website, the country’s population growth slowed to a crawl. On that note, a, up-to-three-children policy was brought forward in May 2021. 

Before you decide to tell someone off for hocking up a loogie on a Chinese street, keep these words in mind. A sociologist named Professor Ross Coomber told BBC News, “In China, many people view spitting as a cleansing action for the body. It should also be acknowledged that many Asian cultures see the act of putting [used tissues] into your pocket as truly disgusting and much worse than spitting.”

If you see a person who’s struggling to stay afloat in the water, would you dive in to save them? Assuming that you said yes, you’re going to have some problems with this next Chinese rule. Apparently, you’re forbidden from helping drowning residents because that’s messing with their destiny...