Introducing Our Travel Etiquette Guru

Our Resident “Travel Etiquette Guru”

Elizabeth Soós

Elizabeth Soós of Auersmont Etiquette is our resident “Travel Etiquette Guru”. Over the past several years, Elizabeth has been writing some extremely popular articles on the etiquette for visiting numerous countries around the globe, along with the etiquette needed to get to and from your destination in a polite and well-mannered pace. 

Wherever you’re headed… whether you’re flying commercial or private jet… if you’re on a yacht or a train, Elizabeth has you covered on global travel! Her articles are routinely found in our Top 20 daily posts. The following are links to her long list of ever growing articles on travel and travel etiquette. Elizabeth is traveling at the moment, but as more articles are published, they will be added to this list. These are in alphabetical order:

1. Aboriginal Dining Etiquette in Australia
2. Airport Etiquette
3. Basic Flight Etiquette and Courtesy
4. Cambodian Etiquette, Culture and Customs
5. Commuting Etiquette in Mumbai
6. Egypt’s Rich Culture and Etiquette
7. Etiquette Expectations in New Zealand
8. Etiquette for Private Yachts
9. Etiquette for the Maldives
10. Etiquette in Tanzania and Zanzibar
11. Etiquette in Vietnam
12. Etiquette and Culture in Kenya
13. Etiquette and Culture in Oman
14. Etiquette and Culture in Uganda
15. Etiquette and Culture of Myanmar
16. Etiquette and Customs in Samoa
17. Etiquette and Customs of Ethiopia
18. Etiquette and Customs of Fiji
19. Etiquette and Customs of Réunion
20. Etiquette and Indigenous Australians
21. Etiquette and the People of Peru
22. Etiquette of Mauritius or Mini India
23. Etiquette When Visting Australia
24. Fascination and Manners in Hong Kong
25. Greeting Etiquette in India
26. History, Food, and Etiquette of Macau
27. Hungarian Social and Dining Etiquette
28. Indian Dining and Table Etiquette
29. Indian Food Culture
30. Pakistani Culture and Etiquette
31. Polite Train Travel Etiquette
32. Private Jet Etiquette
33. Thailand’s Manners and Customs 

Worlds Apart

Empty subway car seats in Hong Kong in 2018

Hong Kong & Mainland China…

Found to be Worlds Apart

Here I am, standing in a crowded van-bus full of people who don’t know even one word of English. There are little kids staring at me along with a few people wearing U.S. Army uniforms. On this particular bus, some of the people are not even speaking Mandarin but some sort of local dialect. Imagine a bus full of Chinese farmers and me. In this place, I was not just Sean the UC Davis student, I was ambassador of a whole different world. I’m from a world of McDonald’s, the Internet, private cars, movies, TV, video-games and fancy schools. 

The world of the Chinese countryside is much different from the Chinese metropolitan cities. Here it is rare to find a person with a private car. Taxis almost don’t exist outside of larger cities, and the normal Western food chains are all absent. It is a slower-paced world, and many people can be seen just taking their time walking around the streets or sitting on some empty steps, Students wearing colorful uniforms are racing around on bicycles, and small shops are selling produce instead of clothes or knockoff watches. However there is one thing I have found consistent no matter where I am in mainland China: The people are all so friendly and so willing to help. And they are always very surprised if you can speak a few words of Mandarin — even badly. Traveling to mainland China has once again renewed my interest in learning Mandarin. 

Cantonese, as is spoken here in Hong Kong, is also interesting, but it is so much harder to learn with the nine tones (most locals can’t make all nine). The locals are not as willing to help you speak it and are not very patient if you speak it badly. Plus, I always think Cantonese people sound angry when they talk. Cantonese is a very limited-use language, while Mandarin is spoken by countless millions of Chinese. 

On the way back to Hong Kong I made a quick stop in Shenzhen, a city on mainland China just across the border of Hong Kong. Since the subway is new there, I decided to give it a try. On my particular trip I saw men lying down on the bench seats, taking up three or four spaces while others, most likely from Hong Kong, were getting annoyed. There were many empty seats, but no one seemed to be particularly interested in sitting. Since this is a new subway, maybe the “rules of etiquette” are not yet totally established, but in Hong Kong they clearly are. 

On the Hong Kong subway system people generally move about at a normal to lazy pace on the escalators, in the gate areas, or wait on the platform. However, when you get to an interchange station, something totally different happens. It is easy to tell when an interchange station is coming up; all the people on board who had previously been maneuvering for the best seats now totally shift their attention to being the first one to the doors that will soon open. Then there is a mad rush. Everyone is like a racehorse out of the gate, and people literally run across from the one train to the other. The goal is to be the first to the new train and once again get the best seat. However, as soon as you get to the seat, it seems you have to stand in front of it, stretch a little, act like you don’t really want it, and then slowly sit. 

So it seems mainland China and Hong Kong are very different worlds; the people look the same but that is about where it ends. The food is very different, the language is different, the actions are different and the way of thinking is different. I personally like both places, and I always feel at ease when in mainland China. — By S. Donohoe for California Aggie, 2006

🍽Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J. Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia 

Cross Cultural Etiquette in 1985

Many things have changed, and have gone in and out of fashion over the past 40 years, but good manners are always in style. Social media is full of etiquette and cross cultural tips. It pays in many ways to study up on any possible cultural differences before you travel to another country. – Image source, Instagram

Time To Get Some Etiquette

I’ll bet you think you already know good manners. You put your napkin on your lap, keep your elbows off the table in fact, you probably know how to behave perfectly, if you must. But here comes the hitch – manners are different in every country! Oh no! How are you supposed to know what to do in Hong Kong? Or India? Or Germany? 

Here are a few rules to follow:

• Let's say you've just arrived in Hong Kong. You want to say. “Hi! How are you?” to the hotel clerk. Since Hong Kong is a British colony, they understand English greetings, but it is better to use Chinese greetings. So, like the Chinese, you say “Have you eaten rice yet?”
• Next you go to India. Better stop whistling. it’s rude to whistle in India! You better not slap your Indian pals on the backs either; they don’t see it as a friendly gesture like we do.
• Now you're in Germany. Don’t cut your fish and potatoes with a knife. Just use a fork. If you want to chew gum, you better do it in private. It’s impolite to chew in public. Most people don't wear sneakers except for playing sports; so put away your Nikes!
• Let’s go to Egypt now. When’s dinner? Sometimes Egyptians don't eat till 10:30, or even later! You'll probably get lots of food once you do get served, though. Don’t feel pressure to eat everything on your plate. The host might think you didn't get enough.

Don't worry about remembering all these rules, though. You'll do fine in any country if you pay attention to what people there do. – Julie Langsdorf in Pennywhistle Press, 1985

🍽Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J. Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia

Fascination and Manners in Hong Kong

Hong Kong’s image as “Asia's world city,” is further enhanced by promoting its unique, cosmopolitan lifestyle to international audiences, showcasing Hong Kong's sophisticated blend of Eastern and Western etiquette norms. (S. Chu, 2011). I saw cafes featuring all kinds of Western bakery sweet treats, along with restaurants that offer European – Asian fusion dishes.

I love action movies; all my friends know I will watch an action movie over a romantic flick, any day or night. When traveling with my sister, some of the best sites we saw in Hong Kong have been featured in films such as James Bond (at the exclusive Peninsula Hotel) in “The Man With the Golden Gun,” starring Roger Moore. The skyscraper featuring ‘The Rock’ Dwayne Johnson, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider – The Cradle of Life with Angelina Jolie. And last, but not least, Jackie Chan’s movies.

Walking around Hong Kong is fascinating. It is located in hilly to mountainous areas. From the mountain apartments to the Kowloon Peninsula, elevators help you make it up and down. In the mornings, you will be helped down quickly on these escalators. In the afternoon, they switch gears to help office workers make it back home without catching a sweat. As a tourist, I love observing, and whilst traveling down these feats of energy-saving engineering masterpieces,

Hong Kong’s image as “Asia’s world city,” is further enhanced by promoting its unique, cosmopolitan lifestyle to international audiences, showcasing Hong Kong's sophisticated blend of Eastern and Western etiquette norms. (S. Chu, 2011). I saw cafes featuring all kinds of Western bakery sweet treats, along with restaurants that offer European – Asian fusion dishes.

Although it straddles East and West, Chinese etiquette is very much alive in Hong Kong. Despite its status as a global financial hub and a melting pot of different cultures, Hong Kong retains a strong connection to traditional Chinese customs and manners. And that is what I was there for.

I was in Hong Kong to experience the culture it is so famous for — dim sum being just one of them. Fortunately, my sister's friend was available for an early morning experience and took us to Central Hong Kong, renowned for its traditional Chinese tea and authentic dim sum.

Lin Heung Tea House, which opened its doors in 1918. They were able to guide us in how to order dim sum because, without them, we would have appeared to be a pair of ‘stunned mullets’ trying to work out how to get food to our table!

Even before you get to your table, you will be waiting in a line that goes outside and possibly around the corner. Once you are inside, then you will have to find a table very quickly which may be shared with travellers or locals, which is a beautiful, enriching moment.

Tea is served first which ranges from Oolong tea, Pu’er tea, Jasmine tea to Shoumei tea. The waiter provides two teacups one large for steeping tea and the small tea sup for drinking. To request more tea, tap two fingers next to your cup on the table. This gesture originated from a historical legend involving Emperor Qian Long and his servant, signifying gratitude.

You may be given a white pair of chopsticks, which his for eating and another colour, which may be black, for serving from communal dishes. A traditional Chinese spoon called ‘tanggeng’ on your right side is for serving only. If both chopsticks are the same colour, use the closest one for eating and the farthest one for serving.

The dim sum is offered on traditional trolleys. You will need to follow the trolleys with the tally card. Once you have selected what you want to get stamped and get back to your table while your food is hot. Quite the dim sum experience.

After finishing your meal, place your chopsticks together on the right-hand side of your plate. At dim sum, avoid placing chopsticks on top of your bowl or plate; return them to the designated chopstick rest. Avoid stick chopsticks into food or cross them, as it's considered rude.

Discarded bones and food should not go inside the small bowls, but on the designated plates or on the table. Some places provide plastic sheets for disposing of bones after the meal.

Hong Kong offers a cinematic experience both on and off the screen. From exploring its hilly terrain to navigating its innovative transportation systems, one is provided a glimpse into the city's blend of tradition and modernity.

Amidst the action-packed adventures, my sister and I, found solace in the diverse culinary scene. I was so pleased to holiday in Hong Kong and felt it wasn’t enough to just stay there for one week.

For many years, Etiquipedia contributor, Elizabeth Soos, has had a keen interest in cultural customs. With her European background and extensive travel, Soos developed an interest in the many forms of respect and cultural expectations in the countries she has visited. With her 20 years’ experience in customer service within private international companies based in Australia, and her lifetime interest in manners and research, she decided to branch out into the field of etiquette and deportment. Through her self-directed studies and by completing the Train-The-Trainer’s course offered by Emma Dupont’s School of Etiquette in London and by Guillaume Rue de Bernadac at Academie de Bernadac based in Paris and Shanghai, she founded Auersmont School of Etiquette.

www.auersmont.com | +61 466 344 331 | auersmont@gmail.com

🍽️Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J. Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia

History, Food and Etiquette of Macau

My sister and I embarked on a ferry journey from Hong Kong to Macau, where upon submission of our passports, we were issued a paper insert akin to a train ticket before boarding. Upon arrival at the Macau ferry terminal, we effortlessly wheeled our suitcases to the complimentary bus services that transported us to our hotel-cum-casino. 

The luxurious accommodations and impeccable service at the hotel pleasantly surprised us, showcasing the advantages of staying in casino-affiliated establishments. After settling into our rooms, we donned our comfortable walking shoes and ventured down the main street to admire the charming Portuguese-inspired architecture that graced the cityscape.

Macau's story begins before explorers investigated new lands for trade, and colonisation. It belonged to the vast Ming Dynasty. It was in the mid-16th century. Portuguese traders arrived using it as a trading post in 1557, looking for new wares to take back to Europe and expand their empire.

An agreement allowed the Portuguese to settle on the Macau peninsula in exchange for rent and adherence to Chinese laws until 1887. This agreement laid the foundation for the world's first and longest-lasting European settlement in China until its handover in 1999. Today, it is a significant resort city and a top destination for gambling tourism and is more critical than Las Vegas.

The first known written record of the name "Macau", rendered as "A Ma Gang", is found in a historical material from 1555. It is a particular administrative region of the People's Republic of China.

Over the next 400 years, Macau flourished as a trade hub. European and Chinese cultures intermingled, creating a unique blend evident in its architecture, cuisine, and traditions. Now that it has become a major destination for economic thrill seekers, a new influence of Western luxury clientele etiquette has made its mark. What does this mean for locals and short- and long-haul travellers?

Etiquette plays a vital role across various facets of life in Macau, from business, dining, hospitality, and tourism. Visitors to Macau are encouraged to familiarise themselves with these etiquettes to ensure an enjoyable experience in Macau’s multicultural environment.

Respect for Elders: Confucian values heavily influence Macau's society, emphasising respect for elders. It's customary to address elders with deference and to offer them precedence in social situations.

Greetings: Traditional Chinese greetings involve a slight bow or nod of the head, often accompanied by a handshake. Addressing someone with their title or honorific, followed by their surname, is considered polite.

Gift Giving: Presenting gifts is a common practice in Macau, especially during festivals or social gatherings. Gifts are typically exchanged with both hands as a sign of respect. Avoid giving items in sets of four, as the number is associated with death in Chinese culture.

Language and Communication: While Portuguese is one of Macau's official languages, Cantonese and Mandarin Chinese are predominantly spoken. Learning a few basic phrases in either language can go a long way in showing respect and getting around faster.

Dress Code: Macau's dress code is generally conservative, particularly in formal settings and religious sites. Modest attire is expected, with women often opting for dresses or blouses and skirts, while men typically wear suits or dress shirts and trousers.

Tipping – You will find that restaurants will include a 10% service charge in the bill, while hotels may even levy a higher 15% charge. While tipping is not actively discouraged and won't be refused if offered.

Dining etiquette is particularly significant in Macau's rich culinary culture. A study by Jong-Hyeong Kim et al. (2023) emphasises the importance of understanding cultural factors such as customs, beliefs, and social norms that shape unique tourist dining experiences. These cultural intricacies contribute to the overall uniqueness of Macau's gastronomy scene, highlighting the need for tourists to be mindful of local dining customs to enhance their experiences.

One of these tips when ordering and earing Macanese food, you will need either implements which are chopsticks or a spoon and fork. Here is a list of mouthwatering gastronomic foods that you will find there:
• Porco Bafassa – Slow cooked stew with turmeric, pork and potatoes.
• Capela – minced meat with potatoes, chirozo, bacon, olives and tomatoes.
• Portuguese Chicken – Slow cooked with chicken, curry and potatoes, alternative toppings are eggs, sausage and olives, turmeric and coconut milk.
• Tacho – Casserole with cabbage mixed with pork skin, pork knuckles, chicken wings, roasted pork and Chinese sausages.
• Minchi - Minced beef or pork which could be served together with diced potatoes.
• Pork with Balichao and Tamarind – Casserole with cabbage, sausage, red beans, black beans, pig ear and pig knuckle.

Interestingly, Macau’s etiquette has been shaped by the many Westernised hotels and casinos that have slowly filtered through from places such as America and Australia. These hotels extend to conditional hospitality, as described by Luofu Ye (2018) and as noted by Yi-weiChang and M. Polonsky (2012); their study indicated the importance of polite and respectful interactions in maintaining a high standard of hospitality. Furthermore, the role of etiquette in shaping tourist behaviour and enhancing their experiences is critical in the multicultural context of Macau. You will find those in customer service in these hotels from China, Pakistan, Bangladesh, India and the Philippines.

You don’t need to be in Macau long to experience its fantastic history and note the difference in Asia. My sister and I loved being there; the cultural mix was unique. Macau is recommended for a one- to two-day stay that is easily accessible via Hong Kong.

For many years, Etiquipedia contributor, Elizabeth Soos, has had a keen interest in cultural customs. With her European background and extensive travel, Soos developed an interest in the many forms of respect and cultural expectations in the countries she has visited. With her 20 years’ experience in customer service within private international companies based in Australia, and her lifetime interest in manners and research, she decided to branch out into the field of etiquette and deportment. Through her self-directed studies and by completing the Train-The-Trainer’s course offered by Emma Dupont’s School of Etiquette in London and by Guillaume Rue de Bernadac at Academie de Bernadac based in Paris and Shanghai, she founded Auersmont School of Etiquette. Elizabeth is currently traveling throughout India and brushing up on her Hindi.

 🍽Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J. Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia

Disneyland and Disney Resort Etiquette

• Proper attire, including shoes and shirts, must be worn at all times. 
• Clothing that drags on the ground is prohibited in theme parks.
• Clothing with multiple layers is subject to search. 
• We reserve the right to deny admission to or remove any person wearing attire that we consider inappropriate or attire that could detract from the experience of other Guests. 
• Visible tattoos that could be considered inappropriate, such as those containing objectionable language or designs, are not permitted. 
• There are specific costume guidelines for special events such as Halloween parties; please refer to the additional policies applicable to those events.
• Costumes may not be worn in our theme parks by Guests ages 14 or older.
• Masks may not be worn by any Guests ages 14 or older (unless required for medical purposes). When worn by younger Guests, masks may not cover the entire face and must provide unobstructed peripheral vision at all times with openings that allow the eyes to be fully seen.
• Please show common courtesy to fellow Guests and our Cast Members by not using profanity or engaging in unsafe, illegal, disruptive or offensive behavior, jumping lines or saving places in lines for others. 
• For your safety and the safety of others, please refrain from running.
• Access to attractions depends on the safety rules for each attraction.
• Guests using the pools, spas, fitness centers or other Disney Resort hotel facilities must also adhere to the rules posted and applicable at those facilities.
• Quiet hours at the Hotels of the Disneyland Resort are from 11:00 PM to 7:00 AM.
• Guests must vacate their Disney Resort hotel rooms at the end of their stay, on the date and time set forth in their reservation confirmation. — From Disneyland.Disney Go.com

In 2016 Shanghai issued an etiquette guide for Disneyland visitors

As the opening date for the highly anticipated Shanghai Disneyland nears, fans of Mickey and the gang are being reminded to behave.

Shanghai's municipal government has issued an etiquette guide aimed at locals planning to visit the new park, due to open on June 16 in the city's Pudong district.

City officials announced they developed six rules after “uncivilized behaviors” were observed during the mega theme park's trial opening this month, according to China's official Xinhua news agency.

The new guide warns tourists against littering, being rowdy, vandalizing, cutting in line, damaging the landscape and other “uncouth behaviors" such as lying down on the ground.

Indeed, the park hasn't even opened and it's already experienced its fair share of drama — and we're not talking about the action on the Walt Disney Grand Theater stage.

First, scalpers jacked up ticket prices to obscene levels when tickets went on sale in late March.
Then, when the park's metro station opened in late April, curious visitors raced to the Disney grounds, reportedly causing damage to areas outside the park gates.

Thousands more crowded outside the gates when the park opened as part of a soft launch in early May for staffers, their relatives and a limited number of invited guests.

After selling out within hours for opening day, tickets for the first two weeks have since been fully booked.
Emergency crowd control drills will be held to address potential risks, according to a report in the China Daily.

One Twitter tweet read, “Over 20,000 people have stormed #ShanghaiDisneyland over the weekend. They are treating this park like trash.”

Shanghai Disney Resort, a joint venture between Disney and China's Shanghai Shendi Group, has been designed to appeal to Chinese visitors. Located next to the main Disneyland amusement park, Disneytown incorporates Shanghai's traditional Shikumen-style architecture.

The massive Shanghai project is the first Disney theme park to open in the last 10 years and dwarfs its Asian counterparts in Hong Kong and Tokyo.— Elaine Yu, CNN, 2016

🍽Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J. Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia

The Chinese Man’s Coffin

“The rules around death are very important to all members of Chinese society. Special attention is paid to the care of the dead and very specific rules are followed. It is widely believed that bad luck will come to the family that does not honor the rules. In Chinese culture, traditions can vary depending on the deceased’s role in the family, their age, the manner of death, and their position in society. Care for one’s parents is complete and without question, so when a parent or elder dies, funeral planning falls to the eldest son and his children. A parent may not perform funeral planning for their child, so an unmarried person is taken to a funeral home upon death. Chinese rules also say that an older person must not show formal respect to a younger person. A child is therefore buried in silence and no funeral ceremonies are performed.Funeral traditions differ throughout China. Some Chinese people follow Christian beliefs and burial traditions. In Mainland China, there is land available for cemeteries, so Christian burials take place. Some Chinese people believe in the teachings of Buddha. In Hong Kong, the Buddhist practice of cremation is encouraged because the land there is needed for farming.” —Royal Palm Memorial 

The idea of the Chinese man is that when he dies he ought to be buried in the trunk of a tree, and so it comes about that all coffins are designed with a view to keep up the illusion. They consist of four outside tree boards, and are so fashioned together as to look very much like a tree at a little distance. They are, of cource, tremendously heavy; but then that is considered an excellent fault. If a son wishes to be very polite to his father, or one friend desires to obtain the good will of another, he makes him a present of a good, solid, heavy coffin. 

The gift is put in an honored place in the house, ready for use, and is shown for the admiration of any friends who may call. The owner would rather go into his coffin than part with it, and generally speaking, though a Chinaman may get into debt and be very harshly treated by his creditors, they will leave him his coffin, not wishing to prejudice his entry into the next world, which, according to the Celestials, depends very much upon the way in which a man is buried. I was told that half the Chinese living in Hong Kong were already in happy possession of their coffins, and ready to enter them when wanted.— The London Telegraph, 1884

🍽Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia

China's 1st Finishing School

‘You have to learn how to behave properly,’ says Rebecca Li, the president of Institute Sarita

Students learn deportment and the polite way to eat an orange, among other things.

In a secluded courtyard, a lesson in deportment is under way. Some female students, each one with a book balanced on her head, are attempting to walk a few steps without the book falling off.

One volume crashes to the ground, but most of the students make it to the other side of the space without mishap, to the approval of the smiling instructor.

But there's an unusual aspect to this class. It is not happening in Europe, home to many of the world's best-known finishing schools. Instead, it is taking place in Beijing. Welcome to Institute Sarita, which it claims is China's first finishing school.

It is the brainchild of Sara Jane Ho. A native of Hong Kong, she went to boarding school and university in the USA. After working in investment banking, and for a non-governmental organisation (NGO) in China, she spent some time studying at a Swiss finishing school.

Inspired by what she had learnt, on her return to China she decided to set up a school of her own.

‘Etiquette shouldn't be Chinese or French, it shouldn't be for the rich or for the poor, it should be for everybody,” she says.

‘The spirit of etiquette, no matter where in the world, is the same – it's about respect and consideration for other people, and how to put other people at ease around you.’

‘Behave properly’

The school targets an older age group than its European counterparts. It offers two main courses - one for debutantes, and another, offering instruction in how to be a hostess, for married women.

One of the most important subjects it teaches is deportment.

“It's about your character, and the feeling you give to others,” explains the institute's president, Rebecca Li, who has also attended a Swiss finishing school.

“You should make people feel you are confident – a person you can trust.”

How you stand, how you sit, how you walk, how you enter a room, how you shake hands - all these things can have an impact on how you are perceived and how others around you feel, according to Ms. Li, “so you have to learn how to behave properly.”

The ‘polite’ way to eat an orange is with a knife and fork, according to Institute Sarita

Other lessons include the polite way to eat an orange (which involves using a knife and fork), table setting, and dinner party seating arrangements.

The vast majority of those who attend the school are women. Men occasionally take part in classes aimed at more mature students, such as lessons in dating etiquette, and managing personal relationships.


Ms. Ho believes the fact that there is demand for courses offered by schools like hers is partly a result of the rapid changes happening in Chinese society.


She says that women in particular can find it hard to adjust.

“In the last century Mao said, ‘women hold up half the sky’; he liberated women by letting them enter the workforce, and now in the career world, you do see women advancing,” she explains.

“But there's [also] 2,000 years of Confucian values which say ‘the woman should be the noble protector of the home, and her place is the home, and to bear children.’”

The majority of the school's attendees are women

She also believes that globalisation is having a big impact, particularly on the wealthy.

“Elite Chinese are starting to send their children to boarding school, they're buying property abroad, they're emigrating abroad,” she says.

“They are learning very quickly, and they're becoming a lot more cosmopolitan, which is why etiquette, now more than ever, is very relevant.”

‘An investment’


Her students agree. Candice Li runs her own business, which conducts research into the luxury market. She often travels internationally, and says that she has become more confident in dealing with foreigners after attending the Institute's classes.

Studying at the school is far from cheap, with a 10-day debutante course costing around £8,500 (€11,000; $12,200).

But for another student, Chelsea Chen, “how much you pay is not important, it's how much you can get from the course.” 

Ms Chen says she regards her attendance as an “investment… for my family… and for everyone surrounding me”. She also hopes that, if in the future, she has children, she will be able to pass on what she has learnt to them.

 

‘I always think about how can I make this into something bigger?’ says Sara Jane Ho

Institute Sarita is no longer the only player in the market for etiquette training in China, and it is facing increasing competition. How does Ms. Ho see the future of her enterprise?

“In some ways it's kind of a silly little business,” she says. “We charge high prices, but the volume is very low… our classes are very small… and our costs are high… but I went to Harvard Business School, and I always think about how can I make this into something bigger?”

Ms Ho says her role model is Martha Stewart, the American author, TV host and entrepreneur, who “provided a guide for the suburban housewife” on how to cook, decorate, and entertain.

“I want to provide the same to the modern day Chinese woman,” she says. “I want to help her be the best mother that she can be, be the best wife that she can be, …make the home a place where she can invite loved ones and friends; and also [to learn] how to live, in this modern day world.” — By Neil Koenig, Producer, Life of Luxury, BBC News Business, 2016

Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J. Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia

Early 20th C. Chinese Dinner Invitations

“You will receive a red envelope containing a red card, red being the colour associated with festivity, on which it is stated that by noon on a given day the floor will be swept, the wine-cups washed, and your host in waiting to meet your chariot.” –The bustle of the city: Hong Kong's Queen's Road on Chinese New Year's Day 1902
  – Library of Congress

A Chinese invitation to dinner differs somewhat from a similar compliment in the West. You will receive a red envelope containing a red card, red being the colour associated with festivity, on which it is stated that by noon on a given day the floor will be swept, the wine-cups washed, and your host in waiting to meet your chariot. Later on, a second invitation will arrive, couched in the same terms; and again another on the day of the banquet, asking you to be punctual to the minute. To this you pay no attention, but make preparations to arrive about 4 P.M., previous to which another and more urgent summons may very possibly have been sent. All this is conventional, and the guests assemble at the same hour, to separate about 9 P.M. — From China and the Chinese by LL.D. Herbert Allen Giles, 1902

Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J. Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia