Be Prepared for Beijing Culture

Interesting tips from BBC News (please read full tips here)

# Chi fan le ma? [Translation: Have you eaten?]

Learn some Chinese. Just a bit. Locals absolutely love it the moment you speak Chinese. 

# Be prepared: you will be used for English practice

Beijing locals love outsiders. Not just foreigners - but people from other parts of China too. 

# Small-talk can be blunt

In China be prepared to be asked how old you are, if you are married and if you have kids. 

# Stop! Look both ways!

In China a zebra crossing does not necessarily mean cars will stop for you. 

# Smile, smile...

Smiling police officers make your day,

# No to Xiaojie

One word you should not use in a Beijing restaurant to get the attention of a waitress is xiaojie - which means Miss. 

# Seek what unites

# When in Beijing prepare to get renao [Translation - hot and noisy]

Go to a karaoke bar in Beijing and you will find people singing, clapping, a lot of noise and people enjoying themselves. 

Image source: AP

Story source: BBC News (31 Jul 08)