Special offer

How to impress your Chinese Clients (Buyers or Sellers)!

By
Real Estate Agent with Douglas Elliman Real Estate

Since I work with a large number of Chinese Asian buyers and investors. It is important to remember Chinese (Asian) holidays so I can greet during those holidays.  Here are a list of holidays for your record should you also have Asian buyers/sellers. They will be impressed with your awareness.

2009 Chinese Public Holidays

Key holidays (including both public holidays and "off" days) in the above image:

* New Year - Jan 1-3
* Chinese New Year - Jan 25-31
* Qingming Holiday - Apr 4-6
* Labor's Day - May 1-3
* Duanwu Holiday - May 28-30
* National Day - Oct 1-8

Public holidays in 2009 are "concentrated" into 3 months: Jan, May and Oct. There are two public holidays in each of these months. 2009 Chinese New Year (Spring festival) comes early on Jan 26 (年初一) and it is the Year of Ox. We have a special new year greeting mixing English with Chinese: Happy Niu (牛) Year this time as Ox (牛) is pronounced the same as "New" in Chinese.

Here is a list of Gift Giving Etiquettes that is appropriate in Chinese culture: 

  • Although it may seem straight forward, giving gifts is an art form
  • Choosing proper gifts will challenge your perceptions of what is and is not proper
  • Do not expect that a gift will be opened immediately; however, sometimes that may not be the case
  • Do not expect that the gift will be accepted right away. You may have to offer it a few times before it is accepted
  • Take a camera to take pictures during gift exchange
  • Even if your company color is green, or you travel to China over St. Patrick's Day and want to introduce people to the holiday, never give a Chinese gentleman a green hat. It is associated with adultery.
  • Because the number four in Chinese is a homonym for the word 'death' avoid giving things to people in groups of four.
  • Red is a color of good fortune. But never give someone something written in red ink as it implies the end of a relationship.
  • Do not give clocks. Clocks are associated with death. 
  • Do not give knives, scissors, letter openers, etc. It implies the severing of a relationship
  • Avoid white as it is associated with funerals
  • If you give gifts, give gifts to everyone in the room. If not, give the gift to the most important person in the room.

NOW GO IMPRESS YOUR CHINESE CLIENTS!

我们专为在纽约曼哈顿购买地产的华人提供重要地产信息和全线优质服务. 包括纽约地产大翁川普(Trump)在内的专家认为, 现在美元低价, 房屋贷款利息相对低廉, 卖方愿意协商房价, 房屋选择增加, 曼哈顿出租市场强硬, 曼哈顿房地产投资, 是进入的最佳时机. 今年以来, 身在海内外的华人, 购买纽约房地产日渐增加, 投资地产开始加速. 多数华人买房, 能付超过20%的首期款, 或者一次付清现金, 这样通常能避免次贷危机带来的问题, 能购买到最佳质量低价的地产. 越来越多的华人把子女送到纽约上大学. 为子女买房的需求, 日渐增加.

我们组织的金屋网曼哈顿看房团(Condo Tour), 有许多本地和外州买主参加. 我们有不少买主不需房屋贷款购买地产. 如果您在曼哈顿有地产想出售, 我们可以安排金屋网看房团去看您的公寓或House. 不论您的地产是300户的住家大楼,  还是单户住家的一房一厕,  我们都会提供全心服务和独特多方位快速销售.  请提前和我们联系.  联系电话: 许小姐(646-644-6929)

 

*SELLERS AND DEVELOPERS, WE SPECIALIZE IN FOREIGN NATIONALS PURCHASING MANHATTAN CONDOMINIUMS/REAL ESTATE INVESTMENTS. CONTACT US TODAY TO DISCUSS HOW YOU CAN BENEFIT FROM WORKING WITH OUR TEAM TO MAXIMIZE YOUR MARKETING EXPOSURE TO OVERSEA MARKET. (we work with highly financial qualified buyers that are seeking to purchase multiple investment condominium units* To browse more listing please visit here or CONTACT US AT (212)321-7122 Today!

Posted by

 ____________________________________________________________________________

 

Eileen Hsu 許雅嵐 (email: EHSU(@)elliman.com)

Our team specialize in Manhattan New York Condominiums, townhouses, and condops.

We are condominium residents ourselves so we understand the Manhattan New York condominium community. We also enjoy all Manhattan neighborhoods, especially Upper West Side, Lincoln Square, Midtown East, Murray Hill, Financial District, Chelsea, Fifth Avenue, Greenwich Village, Nolita and etc just to name a few. If you or you know someone that may be interested in selling, buying or leasing their Manhattan New York condo, call us today (917)837-8869 or (646)644-6929 and we can discuss your specific Real Estate goals.

Manhattan New York Condo Specialists or Chinese Speaking Real Estate Agent

 

Comments(11)

Vickie Nagy
Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate - Palm Springs, CA
Vickie Jean the Palm Springs Condo Queen

It's very thoughtful and timely for you to share these holiday periods. Thanks so much. I'm saving these tips and calendaring them.

Feb 08, 2009 01:02 PM
Eileen Hsu
Douglas Elliman Real Estate - Manhattan, NY
LICENSED REAL ESTATE SALESPERSON

Vickie - This is the beauty of Active Rain community. I have learn so many tips from this community, it is important for me to give back and share what I know...! Glad to know that you enjoy it.

Feb 08, 2009 01:16 PM
Fernando Herboso - Associate Broker MD, & VA
Maxus Realty Group of Samson Properties - Clarksburg, MD
301-246-0001 Serving Maryland, DC and Northern VA

OMG. . I'm hispanic. .give me a margarita. . and I'm good!

Feb 08, 2009 01:24 PM
Eileen Hsu
Douglas Elliman Real Estate - Manhattan, NY
LICENSED REAL ESTATE SALESPERSON

Hey Fernando - I could be pleased by a Margarita too!

Feb 08, 2009 01:32 PM
Steven Nickens
Hawaii Life Real Estate Brokers - Wailea, HI
R(S)GRI ABR, Maui Real Estate Hawaii

I have had some high end clients from China. Very nice people, I was actually invited to China, which I might go one day.  Let me know if you have any clients for Maui, I would love to work with you.

Steve

Feb 08, 2009 01:34 PM
Pat Laracy Baker
Realty Executives Boston West - Holliston, MA
Pat Baker Dream Home Maker

Thank you so much Eileen.  What a great help this is.  I also have a separate business and China market has been launched so I now know all the right things to do and the holidays that are important for real estate and my other business.

 

Feb 08, 2009 01:42 PM
Rita Fong
RE/MAX REAL ESTATE TODAY, Executive Broker 901-488-9590 - Marion, AR
Realtor - Marion Arkansas Homes for Sale

Hi, Eileen,

I agree with you that it is important to learn about other cultures, especially in a big market like New York.  It is very easy to come across a Chinese client, vs I am the only Chinese realtor in my market, I have 3 sets of Chinese clients (never expected it).  I always make them Chinese New Year cake for Chinese New Year, and they always have some goodies back for me.

Feb 08, 2009 02:01 PM
Loreena and Michael Yeo
3:16 team REALTY ~ Locally-owned Prosper TX Real Estate Co. - Prosper, TX
Real Estate Agents

I like your post about our Chinese culture. This will bring some eye-opening observations to our non-Chinese friends here on AR.

Feb 08, 2009 03:16 PM
Sonny Kwan
Quantum Group Commercial - Residential - Lease Seattle, WA - Mercer Island, WA
206-819-8228

So much culture and religious stuff to remember huh? AGENTS! dealing with chinese clients would be good to contact Eileen before meeting them for advice.

Feb 08, 2009 05:37 PM
Morgan Evans
Douglas Elliman Real Estate - Manhattan, NY
LICENSED REAL ESTATE SALESPERSON

So many rules! How do you remember them all!  Good tips, so much of this is the exact opposite of western culture that I would have no idea what to do.  I would probably say or do something very offensive!

Feb 08, 2009 10:54 PM
Eileen Begley
Coldwell Banker, DelMonte - Carmel, CA
Monterey Real Estate

Eileen; nice post on the nuances of Chinese culture. I especially like the gift giving tips. It's so easy to make a mistake.

Feb 17, 2009 03:55 PM