Wining, dining prompts lessons in etiquette

By Lisa Riley Roche
Deseret Morning News
Published: Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2006 8:18 p.m. MDT
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BEIJING — Nobody wants to make a bad impression when meeting potential customers, especially in a country with more than 1.3 billion of them.

So participants in Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr.'s weeklong trade mission to China have been getting some tips during daily briefings by state economic development officials.

Tuesday, the topic was tea and other beverages routinely offered to visitors. Some of the drinks are off-limits to members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which proscribes coffee, tea or alcohol.

But that shouldn't stop any of the representatives of Utah-based businesses and institutions of higher learning from graciously accepting their host's hospitality, said Brett Heimburger, Asia director for the Governor's Office of Economic Development.

"Please don't reject it as it's a bit offensive to the Chinese," Heimburger urged the group. "You can put it up to your lips and put it back down."

Tuesday evening, during a formal reception held at the headquarters of the China Council for Promotion of International Trade, hostesses circulated through the crowd with a variety of refreshments, including juice, tea, wine and a yogurt-like drink.

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At the head table, however, the places were already set with glasses of red wine. Huntsman, a former diplomat, discreetly asked a hostess for his drink of choice — a can of Diet Coke, here called Coca-Cola Light.

And House Speaker Greg Curtis, R-Sandy, who finally joined the delegation after he and his wife caused a stir at the airport by arriving without a visa, opted for bottled water.

E-mail: lisa@desnews.com

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