The advice, on top of campaigns to cut out public spitting and promote orderly lining up, was handed out in booklets to four million households, an official said yesterday.

The deputy director of the Office of Capital Spiritual Civilisation Construction Commission, Zheng Mojie, said the etiquette book gave advice on everything from shaking hands to how to stand. ''The level of civility of the whole city has improved and a sound cultural and social environment has been assured for the success of the Beijing Olympic Games,'' she said.

There should be no more than three colour groups in your clothing, the book published by Ms Zheng's committee advises, and wearing pyjamas and slippers to visit neighbours, as some older Beijing residents like to do, is also out. It recommends dark socks, and says white socks should never be worn with black leather shoes.

In the last few years the Government has educated people on how to prepare for the Olympics under the slogan, ''I participate, I contribute, I enjoy''.

Measures such as a spitting ban in the capital, which started in 2006, and the introduction of a day to show a little more patience in queues the 11th of each month had paid off, Ms Zheng said.

Campaigns involving nearly a million volunteers had been launched to give etiquette tips at schools, universities and government offices. ''Such campaigns and educational activities are now gradually improving the lives of Beijingers, for example now you'll find more smiling faces and people are more properly and elegantly dressed,'' she said.

The book advises there should be no public displays of affection and a handshake should not last more than three seconds. Don't ask foreigners their age, marital status, income, address, personal life, religious belief or political belief, it says. AP