Business Culture in Hong Kong: What You Need to Know
Business culture in Hong Kong is unique — it is a fusion of the Western business approach and Chinese tradition and culture.
If you are a business person in the area, understanding and adapting to the local customs is not only crucial for successful interactions, it is a sign of respect. This article will explain business etiquette in Hong Kong, along with tips on succeeding at a business lunch and navigating holiday customs.
General Business Culture and Etiquette
Let's go over a few different aspects to ensure you understand the cultural norms and expectations of Hongkongers.
Names and Greetings
In Chinese, the last name is written first. This means that when you are introduced to someone, they might first say their Chinese last name, which is typically only one syllable, followed by their Chinese first name, which is usually two syllables. It’s also very common for Hongkongers to have an English first name.
In the context of a business meeting, greet seniors first to show respect.
You might find that you don’t need to speak Cantonese, but learning a few words of a local language can be seen as a courtesy. If your accent isn’t good, it can also serve as an icebreaker!
Conduct and Communication
The same obvious rules of conduct apply in Hong Kong as in other cultures — be polite, respectful, and courteous.
You might find less outward emotion and less directness, especially in business settings. Subtle communication styles are often preferred. You should follow suit by:
Not raising your voice.
Not showing too much emotion, particularly avoiding negative expressions.
Establishing trust.
Understanding a situation from the person's perspective.
As with some other Asian cultures, it’s best not to embarrass someone in front of others. Show respect to everyone at all times, and if someone makes an error, maintain their dignity by not pointing it out.
You will not always hear an outright "yes" or "no" when discussing a proposal. You have to read between the lines to gauge interest. Avoid pushing too far if you sense disagreement.
Also, remember that while English is commonly used in Hong Kong, you should still keep your language clear and concise. Avoid using idioms, jargon, slang, or too much sarcasm.
Business Cards and Paperwork
Business cards and overall reliance on paperwork are still prevalent in Hong Kong. For instance, correspondence with the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) is usually done by fax or in person.
To ensure you blend in, prepare your own business card. It’s common to have one side in Cantonese and the other in English and account for colour symbolism when ordering your cards.
When giving or receiving business cards, do it using both hands to show respect to the person and yourself. Make sure that the card you are giving is in immaculate condition. If you receive a business card from someone, take a moment to look at it while holding it with both hands and do not write on it or quickly shove it in your back pocket or bag.
Business Lunch Etiquette in Hong Kong: Tips and Common Mistakes
Business lunches hold a central place in the Hong Kong business culture, and their significance extends far beyond mere sustenance. Lunches are an excellent opportunity to build relationships and meet new people.
How you carry yourself during these meals influences the outcome of your partnerships and contracts. In addition to following the etiquette laid out above, business lunches have a separate list of unspoken rules that you must adhere to.
First and foremost, never reject an invitation to lunch. If you cannot make it on the proposed date or time, provide an alternative time that better suits you.
Another important rule is not to discuss business during the lunch. While this might sound odd, it emphasizes building relationships and establishing trust with their colleagues before discussing business.
Moreover, meals are seen as a personal time to relax and enjoy food. Attempting to talk business might be perceived as rushed and impolite.
The only exception is if the person you are meeting initiates business discussions first. In that case, you can follow their lead and start discussing business while keeping the general rule in mind at all times.
In addition to avoiding business discussions, here are a few additional pointers to ensure your business lunch flows smoothly.
Do Not Give Gifts
Gifts can be legally seen as bribes. Avoid exchanging gifts completely, but if you do gift something, it must be a small souvenir with little monetary value or something seasonal, such as a mooncake during Chinese New Year.
Tips are optional, too. Most places charge a 10% service fee. A rule of thumb is to tip only if there is no service fee.
Water Bowls Are for Cleaning
Servers in high-end restaurants may bring you a bowl filled with water before they present you with a dish. If it's a smaller bowl, it's probably a finger bowl for washing your fingers.
Large bowls are for rinsing plates, bowls and utensils, which you can rinse off with the hot tea brought to you. You can also subtly follow the lead of the people at the table if you’re not sure.
Chopstick, Plate, and Bowl Manners
Many traditional restaurants that serve dim sum have two pairs of chopsticks—one is for eating your food, and the other are communal chopsticks that you use to grab food from shared plates.
In most cases, the chopsticks will be of a different colour. Make sure to use the same color chopsticks for shared plates as your local hosts.
Here are a few other things not to do with your chopsticks:
Do not rub them together.
Do not stick them into a bowl with the handle side pointing up if you’re not using them.
Do not point with them.
Do not bite them.
Do not pass food from communal to eating chopsticks.
If you are taking a break, leave the chopsticks on the chopstick rest. Only leave the chopsticks on top of the bowl if you have finished your meal.
Remember not to use your hands to pick up food. Use your chopsticks instead. You can use your spoon to help with holding food if the item is large or difficult to pick up. However, if everyone else is eating with their hands, you can use your hands as well. Some restaurants even provide gloves for that purpose.
As for the bowl and plate, you should put the bowl on top of the plate. The plate is there to collect inedible bits, like bones or shells.
Tea Etiquette
As hinted at above, the tea you receive after being seated is intended for cleaning. This is fairly common in cha chaan tengs. While you could drink it, it is always best to observe what others are doing first.
Once the "real" tea is brought, it is customary that the youngest person takes the teapot and fills everyone else's cups first. You could use this as an opportunity to show respect to your business partners by taking charge, though it might be best to ask first.
On the other hand, if somebody pours you tea, thank them, or if you do not want to interrupt the conversation, curl your index and middle fingers and gently tap on the table, as you might if you were asking the dealer for another card in blackjack.
When you are out of tea and would like more, leave the teapot lid off or turn it upside down on top of the teapot, and a server will refill it.
Holiday Business Etiquette
Long work hours are common in Hong Kong, with 35% reportedly working 50-hour weeks. Despite the strong work ethic, citizens place a strong emphasis on enjoying holidays with their co-workers, friends, and family.
Therefore, to respect the local culture, avoid arranging business meetings during or around the holidays.
Hong Kong currently celebrates fourteen statutory holidays, with more to be added in the following years.
Employers are required to give the day off; if that is not possible, they must provide an alternative holiday or substitute day off within 30 days of the holiday.
Another fairly common practice when holidays are due is to allow employees to take half a day or a few hours off the day before the holiday to allow for preparations. For instance, if the Lunar New Year falls on a Tuesday, workers might only work for four to five hours on Monday.
In addition to embracing many global holidays, such as Christmas and Labour Day, Hong Kong celebrates several other holidays unique to the region. The most important ones include the following:
Dongzhi Festival
The festival takes place during the winter solstice, which is between December 21 and December 23. Some employers allow workers to leave early, while others may grant a day off in lieu of Christmas Day.
Embrace the Winter Solstice Festival's spirit by trying traditional foods, such as tangyuan, dumplings, and Ba Bao Zhou.
Lunar New Year and Lai See / Red Envelopes
Also called the Chinese New Year, the Lunar New Year is the most important holiday that falls on the second new moon after the winter solstice, ranging from January 21 to February 20. Although the celebrations span over two weeks, employees typically receive time off for the first three days.
To immerse yourself in the festive atmosphere and show respect to your colleagues, you can wish them a happy Lunar New Year in Cantonese by saying "gong hei fat choy."
If you are an employer or senior staff member, you are also responsible for handing out lai see (red packets/envelopes). It’s common to give them to those who are younger than you, as well as those in custodial positions, such as cleaners and security guards, or people who you encounter frequently but might not directly work with. Never hand out lai see to your superiors or business partners, as it could be seen as disrespectful.
When giving or receiving lai see, use both hands, just like with business cards. Refusing a lai see is not the norm, though you can politely decline it if the situation calls for it.
The envelope should contain a single bill, preferably a new one. If you want to include multiple bills, prepare multiple lai see. Also, never give money in fours, as the number is strongly associated with death.
Mid-Autumn Festival
This festival also follows the lunar calendar and falls between mid-to-late September to early October. The festival is best known for mooncakes, a type of pastry or pie.
If you find yourself in Hong Kong during any festival, including the Mid-Autumn Festival, you are welcome to participate and celebrate. For example, gifting a high-quality mooncake to your business partner would leave a positive impression.
Several other holidays you should remember include the Qingming Festival and Dragon Boat Festival.
Final Thoughts
We know that all of this information can be a lot to take in. The main takeaways are to be open to understanding a different culture and that it’s okay to follow the lead of those around you. The customs might not always make sense immediately, so if in doubt, observe first and then ask politely and without judgment.
Not sure how to navigate this in your business?
