There are several variations of the Chinese language in China.  However, the most popular is ‘Mandarin,’ which they also call ‘putonghua’ that actually means ‘ordinary language.’ Different ethnic groups may have variations in their dialects, but Mandarin is understood all across the country. It is advised that you study Mandarin if you desire to land a job for more or less a year, so you’ll be able to communicate properly at work.

Language Skills
English does not count as the country’s second language, nor the third, so you can expect that their proficiency in the English language is only moderate with an EPI score of 54.44. Although English is widely studied in the country, still there is only less than 1% of mainland Chinese people that are able to speak conversational English. If you are deciding about visiting this country, make sure you already know the basics of communicating in Mandarin. However, should it be impossible for you to learn it right away, try installing mobile apps that could translate sentences for you immediately such as Baidu Translate or English Chinese Translator.

Surprise your local counterparts by greeting them in Mandarin. When greeting a Chinese person, you can start by saying ‘ni hao,’ which means ‘hello’ or ‘zao shang hao,’  which means ‘good morning.’ Learn how to speak these greetings and get to hear more other variations through this link. To be ready to jumpstart your career in China, learn how to speak Mandarin in the comforts of your home through websites such as Rocket Languages and China Edu Center.

Body Language
Indirect and non-verbal communication in China is heavily relied on to maintain harmonious relationships amongst people. They are indirect in terms of their communication and would often imply things through the tone of their voice, their posture, and facial expression. Be sure to take note of their body language as it may speak of many things concerning your local counterpart. Direct eye contact when communicating to a Chinese person is a sign of respect and politeness, however when talking to an elder or someone in position, you may try to lower your gaze first with a slight nod before engaging in a conversation.

Should you find yourself in a dining setting, don’t be surprised if locals get too loud over a meal. A great meal experience for them doesn’t just involve good food but also a loud meaningful conversation with the people they are with. Go ahead and join them if you’ve practiced your Mandarin skills well.

The locals are comfortable when you stay at arms length distance, this is farther when you are a stranger to the local you are talking to. It is not appropriate to touch someone you don’t know even if it is just on the shoulders. Make sure that you approach locals nicely and at a proper distance. When in public, refrain from whistling for it is considered rude. Exposing the soles of your feet by putting them on furniture is also rude. When using your own body language to a local, take note that they never understood the meaning of shrugging one’s shoulders or winking.

Topics for Discussion
Be generous when flattering your counterpart about their country for they will surely love it. Chinese take pride in the nation they belong to and would happily accept conversations that would compliment their home. You may also want to compliment the tourist attraction you’ve visited in China and tell them the beauty of it. You'll appreciate how they are very willing to tell stories of its history and background.

Chinese cuisine is one of the best topics you would want to open up to your local friend. You can start by mentioning the variety of noodle dishes they are able to create. There are around 100 plus types of noodles and spices in China, and your local counterpart will never run out of anything to say about this conversation.

When conversing with a Chinese person, avoid boasting or even mentioning your achievements with the agenda to impress them. Chinese expect modesty from their visitors and would appreciate not hearing about your qualifications unless you are asked. The similarities of China to Japan, as with other Asian countries, is a topic you should avoid. Locals do not want any form of comparison with its neighboring nations. Also avoid any topics that are political in nature such as opinions about the Chinese government or the political status between China and Taiwan.