Meeting and Greeting Etiquette
The eldest member in a group is always greeted first, and greetings are formal. The most popular way to greet foreigners is with a handshake. When welcoming someone, a lot of Taiwanese turn their heads to the ground as a symbol of respect. They understand that Westerners typically grin pleasantly when introduced, therefore you need not emulate them.
"Have you eaten?" is a common rhetorical inquiry used in greetings. Chinese people typically have three names. One or two personal names are placed after the surname, also known as the family name. When Chinese women marry other Chinese, they keep their original names, and the children's last names usually match their fathers. Asking about the meaning of their names is a wonderful way to start a conversation because many people's names have some sort of poetic or other deep significance.
When you first meet someone, use their last name and any academic, professional, or honorific titles they may have. They will let you know which name to use if the people you are meeting wish to start addressing you by your first name. Some Chinese may ask you to refer to them by their more Western names in business.
