How do Chinese respond to a compliment？
2 min readChinese is unlikely to respond to a compliment with thanks or any other acknowledgement of its validity.One rather responds with a certain mood of self-depreciation.For instance，if a foreigner says to his or her interpreter，“Your English is very good，”a typical reply is bu hao，bu hao or na li na 1i，meaning“Oh，no！My English is poor.”
Chinese expressions of modesty can be seen everywhere.
When one is invited to a Chinese home for dinner，one finds the table overflowing with six to eight dishes，beautifully presented.But host or hostess is likely to say，”We hope you won’t mind joining our simple meal.We are not good at cooking，so we have only prepared a few dishes this evening.”Chinese habitually sa things to suggest that their creations，family members or themselves are of small value.This may lead you to conclude that you should offer no compliments to Chinese acquaintances.But that is not correct.Chinese like to receive compliments just like anyone else；they merely respond to them differently.
What are other behavioral features of Chinese modesty？
Traditional Chinese values require a person who wishes to make a favorable impression to avoid being self-assertive.Consequently it is wise to be modest about own personal ability and experience.When Chinese meet for the first time in a social situation，they tell each other their names and identify their work units，but they seldom reveal their titles or positions in their work units.It is unusualfor a Chinese to list his or her title or similar information below the signature.
Now，Chinese increasingly use business cards that include such information.Cards are exchanged at many social gatherings.
Being a good listener is considered good manners.Young Chinese listen to theirelders and speak little，thus showing modesty and good manners.In the same way，subordinates show respect to their supervisors.
During conversations，Chinese can keep silence for a much longer time than Westerners，and juniors wait for their seniors to finish speaking.Discomfort occurs if a junior speaks out of turn.
When a large number of Chinese prepare themselves for a group photograph，all understand that the front row，especially the center-front，is the place of honor.
Even senior persons try to be away from the front row in attempt to display proper modesty.After some good-natured scuffling and earnest appeals from juniors，the situation resolves itself properly.
