1. Watch out for cars and bikes, they won't stop for you. Seriously, they won't stop.
2. Always carry napkins. Seriously, you may wish you had if you don't.
3. If you see people arguing or fighting in the street, don't get involved. Seriously, this can get you killed. No matter what, don't get involved. Chinese people will not understand that you are trying to be a gentleman.
4. If you are at a restaurant, and your food falls on the table, don't eat it. No surfaces in China are truly clean. Tables are wiped clean with a dirty rag.
That is really it as far as the important stuff. The rest of the stuff is minor. As you stay in China, you begin to learn things to watch for. However, the things that I find irritating now, were not things that were irritating when I first arrived. If I had avoided those early experiences, I would have shortchanged myself in my China experience. If I think of anything else, I will add it later.
For large cities like Beijing, let me add two more;
5. Watch your belongings.
6. Don't trust anyone.
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Here is another tip;
7. Some Chinese people know more English than you think, please be careful of what you say. Seriously, some Chinese people spend years studying English, and they are very good.
