Chrysanthemums have different meanings in Chinese and Western countries. 公众号：wayenesunbj
Chrysanthemums were famous flowers in China, and their cultivation dates back 3,000 years. They come in different types, shapes and colours. People grow them in courtyards.
Chrysanthemums are used as medicinal herbs that help improve eyesight and drive off inner heat. In addition, they can be used as an ingredient in tea, wine, and food.
Chrysanthemums blossom in the cold autumn air, representing elegance and courage in China. Chinese scholars portray them in poems and paintings because of their beauty and character. But now chrysanthemums are not commonly used for gifts or decoration.
Most of them are yellow and white, which are the main colors at Chinese funerals. People don’t send them to friends as gifts for that reason. But in English-speaking countries, chrysanthemums are commonly used, just as roses to express love and friendship.
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# 44 Chinese etiquette: Respect for nature
Chinese people are just as proud, if not prouder, of their country as visitors are of theirs. They can understandably become a little irritated when visitors favor with criticisms of China. Would you be happy to hear criticisms of your home country? Chinese people already know that not everything’s perfect, and they also know that they, like other countries, are working hard to deal with issues such as the environment and the population. Discussions regarding politics, state leaders, recent history, and issues pertaining to Taiwan, Xinjiang and Tibet are still seen as sensitive topics, and should be avoided. 公众号：wayenesunbjDo not overreact when a local asks personal questions. What might be regarded as a personal question in your country could be a perfectly normal, and valid question in China. Don’t act shocked if your new friends start asking you questions regarding your marital status, family, age, job or income – they’re asking such questions in an attempt to seek common ground and start or keep the conversation going. If you don’t feel comfortable answering a question, let the person you’re talking to know. Just as there’s no need to overreact when asked such questions, there’s no need to answer a question that makes you feel uncomfortable.Keep calm when dealing with government officials and void making situations unnecessarily tense. An angry or upset foreigner sticks out like a sore thumb and draws unnecessary attention. Not only that, but raising your voice or getting angry is considered a loss of face in Asian culture, and China’s no exception. Getting frustrated will help with nothing but creating a losing-face situation for everyone involved, and there’s few things worse than causing someone to lose face among their peers.Never write in red ink. Red ink is a symbol of protest or criticism, and best saved for teachers correcting students’ homework. Another reason as to why you should never write in red ink, particularly when writing someone’s name, is that red ink is used to mark the names of criminals condemned to death in official records, and to write their names on their tombstones. Need another reason? Red ink is sometimes used to convey bad news – such as somebody passing away or a breakup letter. The best thing you can do is to avoid using red ink all together, the last thing you’d want is to upset your new friends by writing them a thank you letter in red ink! 公众号：wayenesunbjPunctuality is considered a virtue in China (despite the fact that Chinese people are, on average, 10 minutes late for their engagements!). Being on time is a sign of respect toward others. Chinese people may show up earlier to show their earnestness, but be wary of the situation. Showing up early to a meal you were invited to can be considered impolite, as it may give the impression that you’re hungry and eager to eat. Being on time for your tour or at any other time shows respect for the guide, and for fellow travelers.Avoid public displays of affection. Even though public displays of affection in China are not as taboo as they used to be, it’s still wise to avoid them. Just like the body contact we mentioned in the “Greetings” section, the person you’re with might not be comfortable with PDAs, or the community you’re in might frown upon such acts. Play it safe and save all affectionate displays