By continuing you agree to eChinacities's Privacy Policy .
Sign up with Google
Sign up with Facebook
Q: What's up with the greeting?
Many of my Chinese co-workers do not greet when they enter the office. If I do not say a word it seems they will never greet by themselves. I feel it's quite impolite? Is that normal?
I don't know, maybe they just don't like you. Joking. Yeh, I know what you mean. Seems many Chinese don't participate in the habit of routine pleasantries in the same way as we do in the west. Are you a teacher? If so maybe they're just jealous, because you probably work half their hours and get paid 3 or 4 times as much as them.
While we're on the subject, why don't Americans (Are you American? Sure you said you were. Maybe someone else) say goodbye when they're talking on the phone? Don't get defensive, i'm not doing Loke's mirror trick, it's just something i've never understood. Only seen it on tv mind you, but people just seem to chat, chat, chat, chat, chat, chat, chat, and then BAM! No seeya later, just click; and i'm always left thinking, "How the hell did this guy know that that guy also knew that those guys were both done talking?" Most confusing indeed.
bigasspanda:
I am quite sure that it is not about likes or dislikes. Of course, I may be wrong here! 
And, yes, I am aware of jealousy and similar.
But, the fact is if I notice them and say 'Hello' they answer warmly, with a large smile on their face. But if I am with my nose on the screen and simply didn't hear them sneaking in they seldom greet. On the other side, when I come in the office or leave I always greet no matter what are they doing.
The same with my Chinese BF. At the beginning he wasn't that into greeting several times before I left for work. Even know when I want a bye bye kiss I need to beg him.
Reason why I asked the question. To know if it is something that belongs to Chinese culture or it just belong to people that surround me...
I work in a small private school (6 desks in the office 4 teachers, 3 marketing / IT / sales, and yes I know that makes 7), and initially it was as you say, but I've always said hello and goodbye, to practice my Chinese if nothing else, now pretty much everyone answers and all the teachers at least now do the same.
no fuss no nothing...........they don't greet so you don't greet them too
wow everytime i walk in the receptionist 3 of them stand and they all say good afternoon when i walk in everyday
mArtiAn:
That's probably because of that huge sausage you're packing. Woah, sorry Bat, I thought you were Rex 2. That guy's always carrying around this huge bratwurst he's trying to wrap in clingfilm. Damn thing never stays wrapped, but the girls.........they all want a bite of that bratwurst. Hehe, just playing, Bat. No offence intended.
