Sexism:

Men will show respect to a foreign woman through conversation and open friendliness but it is to an accompanying male that they prefer to communicate by offering cigarettes and ‘gam-bays’ (downing the drinks). Often, women in China don’t drink much alcohol as it’s seen to lower the woman’s public standing in some way. The company of a foreign lady is more than welcome however, as the typical Chinese individual is always keen to learn about different customs and habits, or simply wants to get to know you. Beijing and Shanghai are far more Westernised and so tend to treat both sexes with more equality.