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More note added 11/29/09 below

Notes added below 11/25/09

Some of my Chinese American friends here read my earlier blog article with the above title  http://www.sciencenet.cn/m/user_content.aspx?id=251481 . They in turn gave a few more pointers for me to post.

1. “RSVP” means please reply with your answer as to whether you are coming. “Regrets only” means you need to reply only if you cannot go. But don’t ignore the request. Invitation also usually are very specific if children are invited. Children usually are not invited unless the invitation says so (e.g. “you and your family”).
2. Although westerners hug when greeting each other socially. They otherwise generally maintain a personal space around their body which they don’t want others to invade. Thus, unless unavoidable such as on a crowded bus, do not stand very close to others. Also holding hands among friends while walking is not done except between lovers.
3. Telephone etiquette – It has also been my experience, especially among the older Chinese, that one never announces oneself when on a telephone. Somehow you expect the other side to know who you are just from your voice.  This habit often creates problems.
4. Similarly when introduced to others, Chinese usually don’t declare his/her name. Westerners by and large will clearly announce their names.
5. In China, many entertainment, meal, and other expenses can be considered as official expenses and thus reimbursable by the office. In the US, with the exception of commerce, government and academia has very strict limit on what can be considered as official expenses. For example if the program monitor  of your research contract visits you and you take him and other  people in your office out to dinner, the program officer in the US will insist on paying his share; nor can anyone in your office eat free and have the dinner cost paid for by your contract/grant. I have heard of at least one professor who was forced to resign his lifetime job for using grant money to pay for some expenses of his girl friend.  If your professor/adviser treats you to a meal during which technical things were discussed, the fund often comes out of his/her own pocket and not the grant on which you are being paid as a research assistant. Thus, remember to thank him/her and don’t take it for granted that this is your right.
6. A thank you note for any favor is always nice and never hurts.

7. (added 11/25/09)