Hey, dude I don't celebrate boxing day, but good to see you're in the festive mood.

The statement you put into question is a solid piece of advice. There is no need to assume you have to act like you've been bitten by some wild animal and contracted the rabies virus, that's taking a way too simplified look at things, and may suggest you haven't been around too many places.

My response in support of Silverboy comes from personal experience as well. You cannot put on a smiling face. Think of yourself as being in a "tough" neighborhood back home where you can't look naive and you need to be more aware. In the USA we call this being "street smart". Indeed with all the fake good will, trickery, and flat out lying in china you need to protect yourself. Newbies have the disadvantage of not having enough experience dealing with local chinese people when they come to china. Depending on how smart they are they will adjust accordingly, lest they enjoy being stomped, walked all over, and treaded on like some cheap plastic floormat from a public bathhouse.