"Greetings: In the Western world, it is customary to shake hands when we meet someone for the first time - on the street, at an office, at home, at an event.  It’s also the custom to shake hands when departing.  In the Asian culture the time-honored tradition is to simply to bow.  In India, Thailand and other parts of the world, the custom is to place both hands together, fingers pointing up to the heavens, and say, “Namaste” or “Wai.”  Today, we are seeing a blending of all these practices.  I see people combining a slight bow, or the “Namaste” and “Wai,” followed by a handshake.  Learning how to greet someone properly is the best way to win friends quickly.

Receiving Gifts: I love how Chinese etiquette requires a person to refuse and decline a gift or invitation of any kind at least twice or three times before accepting.  In American culture, however, if the American offers the Asian a cup of tea, and the Asian refuses it, there will not usually be a second or third chance to say yes.  What I see most is: “Would you like a cup of tea?”  “Oh, no thank you.”   “Are you sure?” “Well, all right.  Thank you.”  Two rounds are all there will be.  Don’t hesitate for that cup of tea if you want it.

Touching: Asians who are new to the U.S. are often uncomfortable with how familiar and physical Americans are when meeting and conversing with one another.  I remember being at a dinner party where the guests of honor were this lovely couple, who were on their first trip to the U.S. and San Francisco.  I saw how uncomfortable the wife became when one of the American guests kept touching and poking at her arm as she was talking.  Another awkward moment occurred at the end of the evening when a male guest gave her a big hug and kiss on the cheek as he said good-bye. The wife smiled and received it graciously, but I could see she was totally lost in terms of how she was to handle or react to such physical contact." Link