Is Your Chinese Hospitality... Hospitable?

I see culture through many lenses—born in a small town in Fujian, raised in Hong Kong from the age of twelve, educated in Mexico, shaped by a career in international organisations, and married to a Luxembourger.

As a Chinese, I’ve always felt deeply proud of our heritage of hospitality - rooted in family traditions and a rich value system.

We’re warm hosts. We gift generously. We go above and beyond to make our guests feel special.

But over the years—through countless work trips, holidays, and family visits across China—I’ve noticed moments that made me pause.

A recent trip back to my hometown, Yong Chun, for the Tomb-Sweeping Festival brought these reflections into sharper focus.

Here are a few recurring patterns I’ve observed:

There’s a deep-rooted desire to show off the best of our cities to guests—famous sights, special local dishes, proud traditions. But sometimes, that enthusiasm turns into insistence:

In my recent trip to Xiamen, my husband and I had one night planned for downtime—just us, the sea breeze, and a quiet hotel view.
But my mum’s well-meaning friend had a full agenda: the famous island, the mountaintop tea house, a ten-course dinner. Despite our gentle declines, she insisted—"You can’t come here and not do these!"

💭 Is hospitality about showcasing what we think our guests should see? Or about discovering how they wish to experience the place?

In many Chinese households, seniors naturally take the lead: choosing restaurants, planning the day, steering conversations.

But when multiple generations or cultures come together, this well-meaning hierarchy can unintentionally exclude voices—especially younger ones or international guests.

💭 How can we honour tradition while empowering everyone at the table to be heard and enjoy the experience?

We show care through extravagance. Lavish meals like abalone and sea cucumber—it’s how we show we care. A full table from start to finish.

But do our guests actually enjoy these dishes?

Are we considering allergies, dietary needs—or even simpler preferences like comfort food or casual local eats?

💭 Sometimes, the most memorable meals are humble, heartfelt, and shared with curiosity.

Drinking culture can be a beautiful part of bonding. But endless toasts, forced shots, and pressured refills can turn joy into discomfort—especially for first-timers or international guests.

💭 Wouldn’t it be more thoughtful to let people savour that $100 bottle of red at their own pace?

From snacks on the train to souvenir samples, there’s an unspoken belief: if you say no, we’ll just offer again (and again). It comes from kindness—but can cross into intrusion.

💭 What if true generosity meant respecting someone’s “No,” without needing to force it?

Because the most meaningful hospitality meets people where they are - not where we expect them to be.

Whenever you are ready, here are the ways we can support you (or your business) to thrive in your industry:

• Review your customer loyalty strategy

• Audit luxury Customer Journey & Experience

• Master The Art and Science of Clienteling

• Design your VIC Event & Experience

• Deliver an Inspiring Keynote

• Support your leadership and communication development