WeChat etiquette

WeChat (微信) is the default channel for nearly everything in China — messaging, payments, official notices — so its etiquette carries real weight. Adding a new contact usually happens by scanning a QR code (扫码加我) right after meeting, sometimes replacing a business card exchange entirely in casual or younger settings.

朋友圈 (Moments, WeChat's feed) functions as ongoing relationship maintenance — liking and commenting on acquaintances' posts is a small, expected gesture of goodwill, and its absence over time can be read as fading interest. Because Moments can be segmented by audience, don't assume everyone sees the same version of someone's feed. A relationship that only exists through mutual likes is sometimes called 点赞之交 ('like-only acquaintance') — a mild joke about a shallow tie.

Red packets (微信红包) are a common way to say thanks, split a bill, or celebrate — including playful 拼手气红包, group packets randomly split among whoever taps fastest. In work group chats, acknowledge a boss's or group announcement with 收到 ('received') rather than staying silent, and try not to leave a voice message hanging without a reply — 已读不回 ('read but didn't reply') is a real, commonly cited social offense. Keep sensitive or political content out of group chats, and be mindful that forwarding chain messages or spam to group chats is generally unwelcome.