China is a country with an immense wealth of culture, tradition and history – this is exactly that kind of diversity that makes it so attractive for expats from Germany, and certainly also from other parts of the world. So you are moving from Germany to China – this will present a unique opportunity in your life, but be prepared to adapt to its lifestyle. It is crucial to understand and follow the local cultural customs. Daily life in China It is absolutely necessary to rely on public transportation in order to get around. All the main cities are densely populated, and driving in China is a challenging task for both locals and expats. China has a deep smoking culture and cigarettes are permitted in many public places and restaurants, unlike it is the case in Germany. When it comes to healthcare, fusions of ancient and modern practices are available, but there aren’t local GP’s. Instead, hospital visits are made to address complaints. There is no expansive state-funded medical system in place in China as we know from western countries. That means a private health insurance can be expensive, and some expats prefer to have an adequate ‘exit strategy’ to seek foreign healthcare if necessary. The way of communicating in China Chinese communication style differs from typical western methods. It has a tendency to be less direct. A strong emphasis is placed on tact and etiquette. Candid interaction can be viewed as offensive. Instead, subtlety and politeness are appreciated. It is not common to explicitly disagree with opinions. Calm, controlled conduct and respectful diplomacy are usual features in Chinese culture. And rarely will an individual display anger. Chinese way of recognition for achievement Usually in China compliments are accepted in a different way. The Chinese people prefer to either divert the credit for their accomplishments to factors other than themselves, or state that their accomplishments are not worthy of praise. A humble Chinese response to complimentary communication is “Na li Na li,” which translates to “not really,” or “where, where?”. Expatriates in particular from Germany and other western countries should generally assert humility in interactions and be aware about boasting about achievements. The importance of hierarchy Your status, or hierarchical level within an organisation in China will directly influence the communication style, so you should adopt it. It is important to respect higher-ranking individuals, elders and anyone else in a position of authority. For example, during a dinner, respected individuals should be seated at the head of the table, and they are served first.