Cultural taboos in China

Every culture has its own taboos, and Chinese people are no exception. However, most people ignore them today– and many Chinese taboos are actually rather amusing. China Daily's forum readers have compiled a list of taboos they heard about during their stay in China.

1. Don't wear a green hat. In Chinese, the words for "wearing a green hat" sound similar to the word for "cuckold."

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2. Never lose your temper. Doing so represents a great loss of face and it is one of the major social taboos.

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3. When giving gifts always offer pairs. All good things are given in pairs and not as one piece.

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4. Never try to bite noodles or cut them on your birthday. This will lead to early death. A long noodle can be swallowed whole.

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5.Don't wash your hair on (Chinese) New Year Day because this will wash away your good luck.

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6. Never cry on New Year's Day - or you'll cry all year.

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7. Never cut anything during the Chinese New Year festivities - as doing so will cut your life short.

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8. Never sweep the floor on Lunar New Year's Day, for doing so will sweep away the whole year's good luck.

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9. Don't offer an umbrella to a friend. The word for umbrella (伞, sǎn) sounds similar to (散 sàn), to break up, and the gesture could be interpreted as meaning that you don't want to see your friend again.

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10. Never share a pear, especially with friends, family members or lovers. "分梨 fen li"(share a pear) sounds the same as "分离 fen li"(parting).

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(CHINA DAILY)