Quick Guide to Hong Kong

In a travel guide called, “Quick Guide to the Ways of the World”, compiled by The Parker Pen Company, is ‘A Quick Guide to Hong Kong’.

The author writes:

“General Protocol
The people of Hong Kong are reserved and formal in almost all situations.
Blue and white are the Chinese colors for mourning and should be avoided.

Names/Greetings
When greeting and leaving, handshakes are common. After the initial handshake business cards are presented with both hands.

Hospitality/Gift Giving
A guest will take a gift of fruit, candy or cookies when invited to dinner and will present it to the hostess with both hands. Gifts to avoid: clicks, which symbolize death, and scissors or other sharp objects, which symbolize the severing of a relationship.
Never begin to eat or drink before your host does.
Gifts are exchanged at the time of the Chinese New Year.

Conversation
To thank someone for a gift, say “DOR-jay;” for a service rendered the word is “Ng-GOI” (with the “ng” pronounced something like the “m” in “hmm”).
Since the Chinese are delighted with Westerners who speak their language, a phrase is Cantonese will be greatly admired—but be very sure of your pronunciation.
Casual inquiries about health or business are considered polite conversation. One topic to avoid: the political situation in China.”