> I've heard other people say that Chinese are rude/impolite. In casual (especially informal) conversation I'd say there's a cultural norm of being more direct

> I've heard other people say that Chinese are rude/impolite. In casual (especially informal) conversation I'd say there's a cultural norm of being more direct than we are in the west. This isn't, I don't think, in an attempt to offend. That swings the other way in business (or so I have heard) where criticism is carefully constructed (at least within a business) to minimise any potential offence given. YMMV.