How do greetings and business card exchange work?
Published: April 29, 2026
Short Answer
Greetings in China range from a simple nod among friends to a carefully choreographed business card exchange between executives — and the details matter. In professional settings, you will shake hands, exchange business cards with both hands, and use proper titles. In casual settings, a warm "nihao" and a smile is all you need. The key principle is showing respect through attentiveness: pay attention to hierarchy, use titles, and take your time.
Chinese business meeting with formal handshake
Deep Dive
Formal vs. Informal Greetings
The way you greet someone in China depends entirely on the context and your relationship.
Informal greetings:
- 你好 (nǐ hǎo) — The universal "hello." Works in virtually any situation. Between friends and peers, this is perfectly fine.
- 嗨 (hāi) — A casual "hi" borrowed from English, common among younger people in cities.
- 吃了吗？(chī le ma?) — "Have you eaten?" This is the classic Chinese informal greeting, equivalent to "how are you?" You are not being invited to a meal — it is simply a way to show you care about the other person's wellbeing.
- 最近怎么样？(zuìjìn zěnme yàng?) — "How have you been lately?" Used among people who already know each other.
Formal greetings:
- 您好 (nín hǎo) — The respectful form of "hello." Use this with elders, senior business contacts, professors, and anyone you want to show deference to. The "您" pronoun signals respect.
- 贵姓？(guì xìng?) — "What is your honorable surname?" This is the polite way to ask someone's name in a formal setting. The standard response is "免贵，姓X" (miǎn guì, xìng X), meaning "no need for honor, my surname is X."
- A slight nod or bow of the head accompanies formal greetings. A full bow is reserved for very formal occasions or traditional settings — most modern Chinese business interactions use a firm handshake instead.
Handshake Customs
Handshaking has become the standard greeting in Chinese business, but with some important nuances:
- Firm but not crushing. A handshake that is too strong can feel aggressive. Match the other person's grip.
- The senior or elder person initiates. Wait for the higher-ranking individual to extend their hand first. If you are unsure of someone's rank, it is safer to wait.
- A slight nod while shaking is common and shows additional respect. You do not need to bow deeply — just a small incline of the head.
- Duration is brief. A few shakes is enough. Holding someone's hand for too long feels awkward.
- Women may not initiate handshakes with men in traditional settings. If a Chinese woman does not extend her hand, a slight nod and smile is the appropriate response. However, in modern business settings, most professional women will shake hands.
Business Card Exchange Protocol
The business card (名片, míngpiàn) exchange is one of the most important rituals in Chinese business culture. Getting it wrong can set a poor tone for the entire relationship.
When presenting your card:
- Use both hands to hold the card at the top corners, with the text facing the recipient so they can read it without turning the card.
- Introduce yourself as you present it. State your name, your company, and your role.
- Present to the most senior person first in a group setting, then work down the hierarchy.
When receiving a card:
- Accept with both hands. This is non-negotiable. One-handed acceptance is considered rude.
- Take a moment to read the card. Look at the person's name, title, and company. Make a comment — "Oh, you work at [company], that is a wonderful company" — to show you are paying attention.
- Do not write on the card in front of the giver. Do not fold it, bend it, or stuff it into your back pocket.
- Place it on the table in front of you during a meeting. If you are seated at a round table, place it to your left (the position of honor in Chinese culture). In a group meeting, arrange the cards on the table in the seating order of the attendees so you can match faces to names.
- After the meeting, store cards carefully in a card case — never in your wallet where they can get crumpled.
Titles and Forms of Address
Using the correct title is critical in Chinese professional culture. People are rarely addressed by first name alone in business settings.
Common professional titles:
- 总 (zǒng) — Short for 总裁 (CEO) or 总经理 (general manager). Used as a suffix after the surname: 王总 (Wáng Zǒng) means "Director Wang" or "President Wang."
- 老师 (lǎoshī) — "Teacher." Used not only for actual teachers but also as a respectful form of address for journalists, writers, artists, and anyone in a respected profession.
- 经理 (jīnglǐ) — "Manager." Surname + 经理 for managers.
- 医生 (yīshēng) — "Doctor" for medical professionals.
- X工 (X gōng) — "Engineer X." Used in technical and engineering fields.
- 老板 (lǎobǎn) — "Boss." Used casually for business owners, shopkeepers, and sometimes as a general respectful address.
The golden rule: When in doubt, use the person's surname + their professional title. If you do not know their title, 使用 "老师" is almost always safe — it is respectful without being overly formal.
WeChat Exchange Etiquette
In modern China, exchanging WeChat (微信) contacts has become as important as — and sometimes more important than — exchanging business cards.
- After the initial business card exchange, it is common to immediately say "我们加个微信吧" (wǒmen jiā ge Wēixìn ba) — "Let's add each other on WeChat."
- Scan their QR code with your phone rather than asking them to type your number. The QR code is faster and shows you are familiar with the culture.
- Send a brief message immediately after adding them: your name, your company, and where you met. Do not assume they will remember you from the context alone.
- Do not send voice messages to new business contacts. Text is more professional and allows the recipient to respond on their own schedule.
- Moments (朋友圈) — Your WeChat Moments are visible to your contacts. Keep professional contacts in mind before posting anything controversial or overly personal.
Common Mistakes Foreigners Make
- Using first names too quickly. Chinese professional culture is more formal than Western cultures. Stick to surnames and titles until invited to use a first name.
- Forgetting to stand up. When someone enters a meeting room or approaches your table, stand up to greet them. Remaining seated signals disrespect.
- Being too casual with elders. Age carries significant weight in Chinese culture. Extra formality with older people is always appreciated.
- Rushing the greeting. Chinese greetings involve more small talk than many Westerners expect. Take time to ask about their health, their family, or their journey. The relationship-building is the point.