This post could contain affiliate links. Please see our advertiser disclosure to learn more.Avoid these Common Mistakes when Visiting ChinaWhat are some things you should not do in China? China might not be as sensitive to cultural faux pas as Korea and Japan, but you should still be aware of what they are. While China is more accommodating when it comes to cultural faux pas, there are still some things to be aware of. This list is intended to help you avoid making these mistakes while visiting China. These were the most common mistakes that I made while living in China for many years.Do not forget your own toilet paper!Let's begin with something very important, but bizarre in China.Many toilets in China don't have toilet paper. Toilet paper is not a common feature in China.Make sure you have enough toilet paper to last you a lifetime. Toilet paper is only available in restaurants and expensive shops.Do not let someone pay for youWithout a fight! While it may be polite in the west to say "Oh no" when someone is complaining, you'll often see Chinese people fighting over who pays the bill. Sometimes, it can be quite passionate!It is polite to put up some fight. If you feel confident, be more passionate about paying the bill. It will show appreciation.Do not get into black cabsIt's just you and the airport, and you don't know where to go. China is the worst place for black taxis trying to take you. They will rip you off.Funny thing is, the official taxi stand at Beijing airport also rips off you! I'm not sure if they are. However, you should not speak to anyone. Even official-looking people. Official taxi areas are fine.Ask a foreigner for advice on taxis. Ask a Chinese friend about taxis and they will likely have someone waiting for you at your hotel to drive you there for a minimum of twice the price.Tap water is not recommendedThere is nothing clever or funny about this; don't drink tap water! It is not safe to consume.Do not assume Chinese food will taste the same at homeChinese food is diverse and varied. It varies by area, city, or even town. It all depends on where you live in the country. Flavors and spices, as well as whether or not your food will come with noodles or rice, change depending on where they are. It won't taste the same as what you used to make at home.Open your mind to Chinese cuisine. Although it is my favorite cuisine, it may not be for everyone. You might love it if you try some of the other cuisines.Do not be too sensitiveToo shy. You shouldn't be surprised at the forward-thinking behavior of Chinese people and their willingness to answer questions. You are now in Chinese culture, and you're in China. It can be intense.Chinese people are not shy, and will often ask questions.Keep it simple and don't take too much from it.My friend visited Beijing and I can recall getting into a taxi with him. I tried to communicate in Chinese with the taxi driver to ask him to drop me off at a particular location. He arrived a few minutes later. He drove off, my friend remained silent. Zoe asked me what was wrong. What are you trying to say?The whole time, you guys were arguing. Did he get mad at someone?It was so funny!Although the Chinese language can sound harsh and angry at times, it is often just a passion-based way to express oneself and how the language sounds linguistically.Don't worry too much! If someone is truly angry with you, it will be obvious.Do not forget to bargainIf you're a foreigner, the market will almost certainly add an extra zero to your price tag. Try to bargain as low as possible.Chopsticks are not for youBe sure to not leave them in a bowl horizontally.Talk Politics!It is a good rule to follow when visiting any country. But it is especially important for China. If you are positive about politics, it is best to not bring up politics or political opinions.If you start asking about politics, there won't be many opinions. It is not something that Chinese people feel comfortable discussing.There are certain topics that you should not discuss, such as Tibet and Xinjiang.Ask about Taiwan.This is similar to don't talk politics, but it is so important that it deserves its own section.China's politics are sensitive enough without having to discuss the most sensitive topic. It is not necessary to ask someone from China "Is Taiwan part of China?" because you will always receive the same answer, even though the person may not believe that. You will often find Chinese people passionately defending Taiwan's inclusion in China. This opinion might not be yours. This question will only provoke people, and it won't be pretty.Ask!If you have to, you can also engage in a political discussion with someone outside of China.Do not get too touchyYou can share this with your family members or new friends.Chinese people don't like to hug someone they just met. It is best to keep your distance.It is a good idea for loved ones to share any public displays of affection. While hand holding is fine, you need to be aware of where you are going for any more.Do not tip!If you're not on a tour with foreign tourists, it is not expected that you tip. It is not only strange, but also illegal. Tipping is not part of the culture, so don't think you are doing something nice by tipping.It may be appreciated in high-class areas that are not used to foreigners. It might seem a little odd to locals.Ask for a tip, or suggest that you give one to someone. Because you're a foreigner, they are trying to rip off you.I can still recall getting a taxi home from the airport. Although I had lived in Beijing for more than a year, the taxi driver must have assumed I was just arriving. It was odd, as I speak pretty well Chinese. He dropped me off and then began shouting tip! tip! I was initially so confused that it had never happened before.He drove off angry after I gave him a confused "No?"Do not rely on cash machines or credit cards.Funny thing is, China has kind of missed out on credit card generation. It moved straight from paper money into digital payments.Their digital payment system is perhaps the most advanced and widespread in the world. It is rare that I touch any money in China, which is good because there is a booming fake money market. (More details below).Do not go to tea with a strangerAlthough it is a little specific, I am sure you will understand.One of China's biggest frauds is the Chinese tea scam. It is still a common scam that people fall for.Young Chinese men and women often meet foreigners in tourist areas and start to talk to them. They may offer to take you to tea or to see a play, and you can then practice your English with them.You will not be able to speak English, but you will come back with a huge bill.Taxi drivers and the "fake money" scam are two other examples of scams. In China, fake money is a big problem. Taxi drivers often take your note and tell you that it is fake. I need a new one. He will return the note, and you'll give him another one. He has now swapped your real note with a fake. Now he has two genuine notes, and you have one fake.Do not forget to download a VPNA VPN is absolutely necessary for China. Don't download it if you aren't already using one. It's almost impossible to do this. You should download a VPN before you travel to China.You won't be able access any internet you use, including Facebook or any Google services.That's all! These are the things you shouldn't do in China.You can read more blogs about things to avoid in Asia by reading these important cultural faux pas.Common Mistakes While Visiting China. Final ThoughtsThese tips should help you make the most of your next trip to China. These are not all the things you need to know, but there are some you should be aware of. These common mistakes can help you save time, money, and embarrassment while visiting China.
