Chinese Social Rules
Body Language
In China we don't look our teachers in the eye. That is considered rude, so we look at the board or the floor instead. To make eye contact with someone in a position of authority would make us feel embarrassed. When our American teachers touch our hands or our shoulders, it often makes us feel uncomfortable because we're not used to it, especially when it's a teacher of the opposite gender. Chinese people don't stand too close together, especially when they don't know each other well. While Americans might think that all Chinese bow, most people in China actually shake hands instead, since bowing is considered old-fashioned among people of our generation.
Age
In our opinion, Chinese respect older people more than Americans do. In America, children move out when they're 18, but in China young people stay at home until they are married. We show respect by listening to our elders and not talking back to them; even if they are wrong, we can't say anything. We have a saying, "Respect the old and love the young." Adult children take care of their parents by giving them money and even letting them live with them. In general, the oldest male child bears the most responsibility for providing for the parents as they get older.
Gender
There are not really any overt gender restrictions on socialization, but due to modesty many boys and girls are uncomfortable being seen together by adults. Of course, this depends on the school and the family. China is more modernized now, so the old rules about gender are not as prevalent. Most Chinese believe that girls and boys are equal, but sometimes the older generations favor boys over girls, since males were the traditional providers for the family.
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