Etiquette Travel tips in Asia ; China, Japan, Korea, Singapore

Flag of China.

China
You eat with chopsticks.
Surnames or clan names are first, then given names.

In restaurants you do not tip. to offer a tip suggests that you are jumping the queue, trying to get served ahead of other customers, and can be seen as offering a bribe. If the waiter accepted, they could lose their job. (A bit like handing money to a government official in a government office anywhere in the world.)

Singapore flag.

SINGAPORE
Chinese family names or clan names are first. For example, Lee Kuan Yew, the first name, Lee, is the family name.

Wave down a taxi with your hand palm down.

Hold business cards with both hands to give or receive a card.

Remove your shoes before entering a house or flat.

Don't eat with your left hand.

Don't point your finger or your feet at anybody else.

Don't touch anybody else's head.

Table Reservation
You reserve a table in a food court (hawker centre) by placing a small pack of tissues on the table. Westerners should not take the tissues, mistakenly assuming the tissues are a free gift from the management.

Japanese Flag.

You do not tip taxi drivers or government employees. This is seen as attempting to jump the queue for taxis, and as bribery.

Taxi drivers often do not help with luggage.

JAPAN
You wash before getting into the hot bath in a home. The cover must be replaced after bathing to keep the water hot. The guest gets the first bath and the hottest and cleanest water.

KOREA
You bow rather than shaking hands. (Bow twice at a funeral.)

INDIA
Remove shoes when entering temples.

You frequently eat with your hands.

If you are not getting keen service, you are expected to tip a hotel or restaurant staff member or other employee in advance - otherwise you won't get your table or room reservation. (The same might apply in other Asian countries. Check local rules.)

Author
Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer, author and speaker.