Dining and entertainment...

In Hong Kong, do not ever underestimate the importance of participating in dining and after-dinner entertainment. It is an excellent way to build relationship between people.

Although sometimes Chinese people seem to be impolite according to Western norms, Chinese courtesies have always been formal to follow strict rules. Especially in dining and entertainment.

So here are some guidelines for you to be aware of when dining with some friends in Hong Kong!

There are no firm rules regarding dinner conversation. Depending on the closeness of the relationship, business may or may not be discussed. Just follow the host's lead.

With chopsticks, more formal restaurants have separate resting places for them. Don't rest them on your plate. Avoid spearing food with your chopsticks or pointing them at someone. Under no circumstances should chopsticks be placed in the rice standing up. This symbolizes death.

When dining in company, fill others' teacups before your own. When being served, tap the table lightly with the tips or knuckles of your forefinger and middle finger to wordlessly indicate both "thanks" and "that's enough." Leave your cup more than half full if you don't want it refilled constantly.

Drinking is an important part of Chinese entertaining and is considered a social lubricant. The drinking officially begins after the host offers a short toast to the group. It is always a good idea for the guest to return the toast either right away or after a few courses have been served.

Safe topics for toasts are friendship, pledges for cooperation, the desire to reciprocate the hospitality, and mutual benefit. Meanwhile, do not pour your own drink. It shows a lack of protocol.

The Chinese understand if you are unable to drink alcohol. Stating medical reasons is always a good way to get out of drinking alcohol. The most common expression for toasting is Yam bui, meaning "dry cup", or bottoms up.

The Chinese are not as understanding of tipsy guests as are the Japanese or Koreans. If you feel you have had enough, smile and politely indicate this to your host.

Red packet tradition...

A Red Packet is simply a red envelope with money in it, often decorated with lucky symbols, which symbolizes luck and wealth.

Traditionally red packets are handed out to younger generation by their parents, grand parents, relatives, and even close neighbors and friends during Chinese New Year. They are also popular gifts for weddings and birthdays. Nowadays giving red packets as a bonus at the year-end by employers becomes popular.

As how much to give, depends on the situation. If you give red packets to kids for the New Year, age will be an important factor. Usually the older the kids are, the more money they will get. For a kid of five years old, one or two dollars will be fine. It will be better to have enough money in the red packet for a 15-years old to buy something himself.

If you go to a wedding, the money in the red packet should be about right for a nice gift. Naturally you will be glad to put a little more money in it if you have a very close relation with the couple. But it should be based on your financial situation and don't overdo it. It is similar for birthdays. The red packets usually contain less money since birthdays are not as important as weddings. People often just bring gifts for birthdays. You can also bring gifts for weddings.

Giving red packets to employees prior to the New Year is also a good idea. This can be either a gift or a bonus. If it is as a gift, the money should be just right for a gift. If as a bonus, you may enclose a check in the red packet and hand it out in an office.

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Business cards...

This will no doubt seem strange, but one of the most important things to arm yourself with, before doing business in Hong Kong, is Business Cards, or Name Cards as they are also known.

Name cards are used all over the globe, but nowhere are they taken more seriously than Hong Kong. Hong Kong business card etiquette is essential to doing business in the city.

Literally, everybody has a business card in Hong Kong. From the chairman of a company to shop assistants, they are a way of life. Any employee who represents a company to outsiders should carry name cards.

To Hong Kongers, business cards represent that a company is proud to be associated with their representative. In a town that thrives on commerce, exchanging business cards is an important formality.

If you are given a name card and don't offer one in return, you can basically close-up business then and there.

Offer your card with both hands, printed side up and facing the receiver for easy reading. Accept someone else's card with both hands and give it due attention before putting it away. And please... Don't write on someone's business card.

Lucky numbers...

Just like people all over the world, people in China traditionally associate luck with various things and numbers. If you remember this, you will gain an understanding of Chinese manners and customs and will not embarrass yourself or your Chinese friends.

As a rule in day-to-day life of Chinese, it is customary to regard even numbers as being more auspicious than odd numbers. Traditional gifts are given as a part of the celebration for all occasions. Thus, guests will always give even-numbered presents.

As the number TWO, usually suggests harmony, at wedding celebrations, decorations are invariably setout in pairs: a pair of red candles, a pair of pillows, and couplets hung on two sides of the hall.

SIX, conveys indirectly its homophony's meaning - do everything smoothly.

EIGHT, in Chinese has a similar sound to a word that simply means to make a fortune. All business men favor this number very much.

However FOUR, is the exception to the even number rule as it sounds like death. So when people choose car license tags, phone numbers, and room numbers, they try to avoid it.

For odd numbers, SEVEN implies anger and abandon, but NINE, sometimes means longevity and eternality.

Based on these notions, it is the fashion for young lovers to send roses. ONE rose represents that 'you are my only love'; TWO, 'only we two in the world'; THREE, the three moving words 'I love you'; and NINE, 'everlasting love'.

The Chinese zodiac is also related to lucky numbers, as well as 'fengshui', a set of principle to the layout of furniture and the structure of the house.