Macau Don’ts
- Do not use a toothpick in public without covering your mouth with your hand.
- Do not use your own chopsticks or spoon to dish shared dishes (which is customary) when eating with a group, use the serving spoon to dish into your bowl or plate to eat instead.
- Do not open a present in front of the giver, which is not polite.
- Do not leave your chopsticks sticking up in the left-over rice at the bottom of your bowl after eating a meal.
- Do not tap on your bowl with chopsticks, as the beggars tap on their bowls, which is impolite and insulting.
- Do not lose your temper, as to lose one‚s temper is an absolute loss of face.
- Do not point the bottoms of your feet to any person when sitting. Try to sit cross-legged or tuck your legs underneath you.
- Do not biting your nails or putting your hands in your mouth as it is considered to be vulgar in Chinese culture.
- Do not behave in a carefree manner in public. Embracing or kissing when greeting or saying good-bye is highly unusual.
- Do not write cards or letters with red ink or ball pen, as it symbolizes the end of a relationship.
Macau Do’s
- Always addressing people with their official title, refer them as Mr./Mrs./Ms plus their last name. Don‚t call them by their first name unless invited to do so.
- Handshake is common form of greeting. While meeting elders or senior officials, handshake should be gentle and accompanied by a slight nod.
- Always show respect to the elders and acknowledge them in a group first.
- Always present your gifts with both hands. And be aware of colour when wrapping. Red represents lucky, pink and yellow represent happiness and prosperity, while white, grey and black are for funeral. White or yellow flowers (especially chrysanthemums) are used for funerals.