Chinese dining etiquette

Chinese food is different from western food, there are a lot of rules about seating. If you only know part of it, you may make a mistake. You need to know in detail. Seat arrangement

Feast, each table on the specific seat also has a primary and secondary inferiority and superiority respectively. There are four basic ways to do this, and they often work together.

Method one is that the host should mostly sit facing the front door and be seated at the main table.

Method two is that when holding a multi-table banquet, a representative of the host of the main table should be present at each table. The position is usually in the same direction as the host of the main table, or sometimes facing the host of the main table.

Method three, is the table of honor, should be based on the distance from the master of the table, close to the top, far for the bottom.

Method four, is the same distance from the table master of the table, the right is honored, that is, the master of the table facing prevail, the right is honored, the left is inferior.

Additionally, the number of people dining at each table should be limited to 10 people, preferably an even number. For example, six, eight, ten people. Not only is it not easy to take care of too many people, but they may not be able to sit down.

Based on the above four ways of arranging the place settings, the specific arrangement of the round table place settings can be divided into two specific cases. They are both related to the main seat.

The first case: the arrangement of one master seat per table. Characterized by only one master at each table, the guest of honor is seated at the right head, and there is only one conversation center at each table.

The second situation: the arrangement of two masters at each table. Characterized by the host couple seated at the same table, with the male host as the first host, the hostess as the second host, the guest of honor and the guest of honor Mrs. were seated on the right side of the male and female hosts. Each table thus objectively forms two centers of conversation, as in Figure 9-5 and as in Figure 9-6.

If the status of the guest of honor is higher than that of the host, as a sign of respect, it is also possible to arrange to be seated at the host's seat, while the host is invited to sit at the guest of honor's seat.

1. Chopsticks

Chopsticks are the most important tableware in Chinese cuisine. Chopsticks are usually used in pairs. When using chopsticks to pick up food and eat, you should pay attention to the following "small" issues:

First, do not lick the chopsticks, regardless of whether or not there is food left on the chopsticks. It's a good idea to use licked chopsticks to pick up food, isn't it?

Two, when you are talking to someone, put down your chopsticks for a while, and don't talk while dancing around with them like a baton.

Third, don't put your chopsticks on top of the food vertically. This is because this method of insertion is only used when honoring the dead.

Fourthly, the function of chopsticks is strict. Chopsticks are only used to hold food. It is rude to use them to pick your teeth, to scratch an itch or to use them for anything other than food.

2. Spoon

Its main function is to scoop up dishes and food. Sometimes, a spoon can be used to assist in taking food with chopsticks. Try not to use the spoon alone to pick up dishes. When using a spoon to get food, do not overfill it so that it does not overflow and dirty the table or your clothes. After scooping, "pause" for a few moments so that the soup doesn't run off, then move back to enjoy it.

When you're not using a spoon, put it on its own plate, not directly on the table, or let it "stand up" among the food. After taking food with a spoon, eat it immediately or put it on your own plate, don't put it back. If the food is too hot, don't scoop it up or blow it into your mouth, but put it in your own bowl and let it cool. Don't stick the spoon in your mouth or suck or lick it repeatedly.

3. Plates

Slightly smaller plates are saucers, which are mainly used to hold food, and are slightly the same as bowls in terms of usage. Plates should generally be kept in place at the table and not stacked together.

What needs to be emphasized is a special type of plate called a food dish. The main purpose of the plate is to hold dishes from the communal plate. When using a food dish, do not take too many dishes at one time, as it will look messy and like a hungry ghost. Don't put many kinds of dishes together, or they will "tamper" with each other's flavor, which is not good to look at and not good to eat. Don't spit the scraps, bones and thorns you don't want to eat on the floor or table, but gently put them on the front of the food dish, and when you put them on the food dish you can't spit them out directly from your mouth, but you should use chopsticks to put them on the side of the dish. If the plate is full, ask the waiter to change it.

4. Water cups are mainly used for soft drinks such as water, soft drinks, juice and cola. Don't use it to hold wine, and don't hold the water cup upside down. Also, what you drink into your mouth cannot be spit back into the water glass.

5. Before Chinese food, if you are more careful, you will have a wet towel for each diner. It can only be used to wipe hands. After wiping hands, it should be put back on the plate and taken away by the waiter. Sometimes, before the end of the formal banquet, another wet towel will be served. Unlike the former, it can only be used to wipe your mouth, but not your face or sweat.

6. Toothpicks. Try not to pick your teeth in public. Not picking can not be, with the other hand to cover the mouth, pick out of things, do not public viewing or re-entry, and do not play with the hands, spit with the mouth. After picking teeth, do not hold a toothpick for a long time, and do not use it to pick up food.

People always think that the home speaks only about the elements of the home such as decoration and furniture. In fact, our home is our life, home includes all aspects of life, home changes due to changes in attitudes and concepts of life, reflecting the quality of the people. Similarly, table manners can also reflect the quality and taste of individuals. And Chinese people must be on the Chinese complicated table manners to understand one or two, in order not to be ashamed of our thousands of years of history and civilization, in order not to make a fool of ourselves. Table manners occupy a very important place in the complete order of life of the Chinese, who believe that eating is not only a way to satisfy basic physiological needs - it is also a social experience of the highest importance. For this reason, it is especially important to have knowledge of certain Chinese dining rules, whether you are the host or just a guest. ● Round dining tables are quite popular. Because more people can be seated, and because everyone can sit facing each other, the head of the family is not as clearly recognized by his seat as he would be at a long Western table. Guests should wait for the host's invitation before sitting down. The host must be careful not to ask the guest to sit near the seat where the food is served. This is a major taboo. One must wait until everyone is present before beginning any kind of meal - even if someone is late. Once everyone is seated, the host family can make the opening remarks. During the meal, the host must assume a proactive role - it is perfectly reasonable to urge guests to eat and drink to their heart's content. ● A typical Chinese table looks rather empty, especially to Western eyes. A bowl on a tray is visible in front of each seat; to the right is a set of chopsticks and spoons on their respective seats. On formal occasions, napkins are present, mainly in the lap.

Chinese Table Etiquette in Ancient and Modern Times

The issue of dining etiquette has a long history. According to the literature, it is known that at least in the Zhou Dynasty, dining etiquette has formed a set of quite a perfect system, especially by the praise and esteem of Confucius, who was once a priest of the State of Lu, and has become an important aspect of the performance of the appearance of a great country, a state of etiquette and civilization throughout the dynasties.

As the Han tradition of ancient banquet etiquette, has its own set of procedures: the host folded invitations to invite, temporary welcome guests at the door. Guests arrive, greet each other, introduced to the living room to sit down, to the refreshments. Guests Qi guide guests into the seat, to the left as the upper, as the chief, relative to the first seat for the second seat, the first seat under the third seat, the second seat under the fourth seat. Guests are seated, by the host of the toast to let the food, the guests to thank the courtesy. There are certain rules for pouring wine and serving food: the elders and the guest of honor should be honored first, and then the host. The end of the banquet, guiding the guests into the living room to sit, tea, until the farewell. This traditional banquet etiquette in most parts of China to retain intact, such as Shandong, Hong Kong and Taiwan, many film and television productions are reflected.

The Qing Dynasty was influenced by the introduction of Western food, some Western etiquette was also introduced. Such as sharing dishes, serving soup, into the wine and other ways were also introduced into Chinese etiquette because of reasonable and hygienic food. The exchange of Chinese and Western food culture makes dining etiquette more scientific and reasonable.

Modern popular Chinese banquet etiquette is to continue the tradition and reference to foreign etiquette on the basis of the development. The seating order borrowed from the Western banquet to the right on the law, the first guest of honor is seated on the right side of the host, the second guest of honor on the left side of the host or the right side of the first guest of honor, alternative treatment, pouring wine and serving food by the guests on the right side of the first guest of honor, after the host, after the first female guest of honor, after the male guest of honor. The wine is poured into eight points, not too full. The order of serving remains traditional, first cold and then hot. Hot dishes should be from the left side of the seat opposite the guest of honor; on a single dish or side dishes and snacks on the first guest after the host, on the whole chicken, duck, fish and other plastic surgery dishes, can not be the head and tail toward the main seat. These procedures not only can make the whole process of banquets and drinks in a harmonious and orderly manner, but also to make the host and guest identity and emotions can be reflected and exchanges. Therefore, the etiquette on the table can make the banquet activities complete and thorough, so that the hosts and guests of the two sides of the cultivation to be fully demonstrated.

A primer on Chinese table manners

Table manners occupy a very important place in the complete order of life of the Chinese, who believe that eating is not only a way to satisfy basic physiological needs - it is also a social experience of the highest importance. For this reason, it is especially important to have knowledge of certain Chinese dining rules, whether you are the host or just a guest.

● Round tables are quite popular. Because more people can be seated and everyone can sit facing each other, the head of the family is not as clearly recognized by his seat as he is at a long Western table. Guests should wait for the host's invitation before sitting down. The host must be careful not to ask the guest to sit *near* the seat where the food is served. This is a big no-no.

It is important to wait until everyone is present before starting any kind of meal - even if someone is late. Once everyone is seated, the host family can make the opening remarks. During the meal, the host must assume a proactive role - it is perfectly reasonable to urge guests to eat and drink to their heart's content.

●A typical Chinese dining table looks rather empty, especially to Western eyes. A bowl resting on a plate is visible in front of each seat; to the right is a set of chopsticks and spoons on their respective seats. On formal occasions, napkins appear, mainly in the lap.

At formal banquets, dishes are eaten much like a slide show, one dish at a time. Surprisingly, rice is not served with the dishes, although there is an option to eat with them. Since the dishes are each unique, they should be tasted individually, and only one at a time from the bowl, not a mixture. It may not be eaten from a plate, only from a bowl. Bones and shells are served on individual plates. Unclean plates must always be replaced with clean ones.

●Chopsticks are used for everything on the table except soup. Knives* may be provided, but as a Chinese, it is best to use chopsticks. Chopsticks are a tool for eating, so never play with them - it's very rude to use them as drumsticks, and it's not acceptable to point or gesture at people with them. Of course, one should never suck on the chopsticks or stick them in the rice, which is a big no-no - this is just like incense and candles at a funeral, which is considered unlucky. Also, you should not use chopsticks to flick through a dish, but should first use your eyes to see what you want to eat. When you use chopsticks to pick up a piece of food, try to avoid touching other food. If possible, use the chopsticks and spoon next to you. Put your chopsticks back in their holders when you are finished eating or picking up food.

●A Chinese meal is not formal without tea. For this reason, it is wise to store as many different varieties of tea as possible, to ensure that the most astute tastes are taken care of. There are a few key things to keep in mind when it comes to tea. The person seated nearest the teapot should be responsible for pouring the tea for the others as well as for themselves - the order of pouring should be according to age, from the oldest to the youngest, and finally for themselves. When someone pours tea for you, it is etiquette to tap the table with your finger as a sign of gratitude and respect to the person who poured the tea.

Dining for home life is a top priority, reflecting personal qualities and tastes

Eyes on the food to move chopsticks

The order of pouring tea is very careful, the first long after the young, the first female after the male

The reasons for the feast are both joyful and sad

Chinese people have always been "food first", in addition to food to meet the basic needs of the human being, but also adhering to the traditional customs, the gathering at the dinner table to eat a meal, and to eat a good meal. The reason for having a banquet can be to celebrate a good day or a bad day. The reason for having a feast can be for celebration or for mourning. Whenever there is a Lunar New Year, a wedding, or a Chinese festival such as the Mid-Autumn Festival, Chinese people will gather all the family members together at the dinner table to celebrate the festivities; but on the other hand, if someone passes away, the bereaved family will set up a "relief wine" after the funeral, and invite relatives and friends who have attended the funeral to express their gratitude to them, which shows the importance that Chinese people attach to sharing joys and sorrows at the dinner table. The Chinese attach great importance to sharing joys and sorrows at the dinner table.

Zaojun

The Chinese not only respect the art and etiquette of eating, but also worship Zaojun, which is derived from the god of fire. They believe that "Zaojun" can protect the kitchen from fires and all kinds of unfortunate events. On the 24th day of the 12th month of the lunar calendar every year, every family prepares a delicious meal to honor "Zaojun", including a whole chicken, roasted pig, a variety of vegetables, rice, etc., in order to thank "Zaojun to thank "Zaojun" for his blessings over the past year. They usually place the dining table in front of Zaojun, put the food on the left side of the table and offer it for several hours before taking it away.

What do eating rituals have to do with superstition?

Guests dining with a traditional Chinese family must respect their culture, etiquette and customs, and take care not to violate various taboos when eating, as the Chinese believe that food and drink are almost closely related to one's destiny, and that violating taboos when eating will bring bad luck. For example, when eating fish, after eating one side of the fish body, do not use chopsticks to turn the whole fish to the other side, they believe that if the fish body broken when turning the fish, it means that the fishing boat will capsize and sink, which is because Hong Kong in the early days of the opening of the port is a fishing port, the fishermen are very concerned about the safety of the boat navigation; In addition, the Chinese never serve seven dishes with the meal, because after the funeral of the "libation wine" must be seven dishes of dishes. In addition, the Chinese never serve seven plates of food with their meal, because after a funeral, the "libation wine" must contain seven plates of food; one should not insert chopsticks vertically into the center of the bowl of rice, because it is a bit like paying homage to the ancestors; one should not say, "I have finished my meal", which implies that he or she has already died and will not have the chance to eat again, and should rather say, "I am full"; and one should avoid saying, "I am full! "Instead, one should say, "I am full"; avoid making noise when touching the rice bowl with the chopsticks during meals, as this is not only impolite, but also implies that one has no food to eat; cultivate the habit of eating all the rice in the bowl, and do not leave a single grain of rice left in the bowl, or else one's future wife or husband will be a "pimple-faced" person who will have no respect for the hard-working farmer. These superstitious dietary practices have been passed down to the present day and are still more or less part of the Chinese dietary rituals.

Examples of dining customs

In terms of the way of meals, the Chinese and Westerners are a bit different, Westerners like to taste the food placed in front of their own, the Chinese have a certain dining regulations, they like to call a number of plates of delicacies, placed in the center of the dinner table, each with a bowl of rice **** with the matching? These several plates of dishes, rice can be added after eating; pinch up the dishes usually have to be placed in their own rice bowls first, directly into the mouth of the dishes is not polite; in accordance with customary practice, the guests to attend a formal or traditional dinner, is not eaten on the table of the dishes, so as not to make the host family mistakenly think that the dishes are not enough to prepare, and therefore feel embarrassed.

Table setting

The daily meal is served with a rice bowl, chopsticks, a spoon, and a dish of sauce at each table, and a hot towel is usually given to the guest in place of a paper napkin to wipe his hands and mouth after the meal. All dishes are brought to the center of the table at the same time, and each person uses his or her own chopsticks to take food directly from the dishes on each plate; soup is served in a large pot, and everyone drinks from the same pot. Guests can also use their chopsticks to take food from the dishes directly at the center of the table, while the soup is served in a big pot and everyone drinks the soup together. Since the Chinese like to enjoy their food with the whole family, most of their tables are round or square, rather than the long ones used in the West.

How to call a Chinese meal

First call a cold dish to stimulate the appetite, then call a pot of soup, hot soup helps to increase body temperature, after drinking hot soup, then begin to taste the main course, usually in accordance with their own tastes called the main course, but it is necessary to call a dish of full of spicy dishes, to be considered as a suitable Chinese meal, spicy dishes with? Light white rice, so that the dishes spicy and mild, white rice light and flavorful; a meal of the finale is the dessert, usually sweet soup, such as red bean paste, sesame paste, etc., but also other types, such as pudding, pancake, ice cream, etc., equally sweet and delicious.

The way of eating

To wait for the hot soup to cool down a little bit and not lose the flavor of the soup in the mouth, you should sip the soup with a spoon; as for eating, you should lift up the bowl of rice and stick to your lips, and use the chopsticks to push the rice grains into your mouth, which is one of the easiest ways of eating, and also indicates that you like to eat the meal; if you don't lift up the bowl of rice during the meal, it means you are not satisfied with the dishes on the dinner table.

Feasts

The Chinese seldom drink at their daily meals, but wine plays an important role in their feasts. At the beginning of a banquet, the host family must first toast to the guests, and then the guests' interest in drinking will come to life. Beer or soda can be used to toast to the guests, and it is only polite to add wine or soda to others first, and then add it to yourself, and to add it until it is almost full to show respect for the other party and friendship, and the host family has to get drunk on the guests as much as possible to make the toast polite. If you do not want to drink, you should indicate at the beginning of the party to avoid embarrassing scenes.