Business Culture

China/Taiwan

Some nonverbal communication hints

1.      Shoes are removed before entering a house. Check that your socks are clean and without holes.

2.      Shaking hands is now the standard form of greeting. In public, Taiwanese rarely hug or display emotion through physical contact. Any intimate behavior may embarrass them.

3.      Lightly touching another person’s arm when speaking indicates close familiarity.

4.      Couples rarely hold hands in public, especially in front of old people or formal situation.

5.      Older Taiwanese tell few jokes.

6.      Taiwanese sit upright in chairs with both feet on the floor.