Paying for meals
In China, it is not common to ‘go Dutch’ (or as they say here "AA") and share the cost of a meal. In fact, you’re almost certain to be invited out for meals in which case your host will pay for pretty much everything. Of course you should offer to pay, even insist, or promise that next time you meet, that you will pay for the meal back.
The usual form of repayment is simply, at the end of the evening, thank them (not too much though – as this is a sign of rudeness and that you may want to try and get out of returning the offer!) so say “next time it is my treat” or something along those lines.
They will smile modestly, or even refuse, but this is usually expected. Be sure that next time you invite them out personally as the Chinese often consider a direct invitation as the polite procedure. If you’re paying for the meal, you should do this away from the table and out of sight from your own guests. Hunt down the waiter, or cashier, pay, and return to the table for a final toast of friendship.
Do not broadcast that you’ve paid but modestly keep quiet and when someone asks for the bill and the waiter says that it has been paid, then you can just mention that you did it. Do not brag about it. Not cool.
