China has a great wealth of culture, tradition and history – and this diversity makes the country attractive to expats not only from Switzerland, but from all around the world. If you are moving to China, it will present a unique opportunity, but to be able to adapt it is crucial to understand and follow the cultural customs. Chinese communication style The communication in China differs from typical western methods. It tends to be less direct and 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. Hierarchy is key In China, your status, or hierarchical level within an organisation will directly influence the communication style, and you should adopt it. It is important to respect higher-ranking individuals, elders and anyone else in a position of authority. And during a dinner, respected individuals should be seated at the head of the table, and they are served first. Recognition for achievement 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 from Switzerland should always assert humility in interactions and be aware about boasting about achievements. The daily life A heavy reliance on public transportation is important to get around. Major 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. In terms of 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. This means a private health insurance can be expensive, and some expats prefer to have an adequate ‘exit strategy’ to seek foreign healthcare if necessary.