China Traditional Seating Etiquette

Usually, when the host invites you to dinner, you should arrange everyone's seats according to the angle of "right high and left low", which is generally considered to be the upper seat on the right and the lower seat on the left. The host should let the guests sit on the right, and then the host will sit on the left, because restaurants in China often serve food clockwise. In this case, when a dish is served, guests can taste delicious food first, and then the host can taste the food.

2. Use the middle seat as the upper seat:

When eating in a restaurant, if there are fewer people in the same company and everyone doesn't know how to sit, the middle seat is usually the upper seat, and then the others on both sides are the lower seats. For example, if you go out to eat with a leader, you can take the initiative to ask the boss to sit in the middle, and then it is more appropriate for subordinates to sit on both sides. Or go out for dinner with your family and let your elders sit in the middle.

3. Take the position near the main platform as the upper seat:

For example, we can attend a wedding reception or a birthday party. On this occasion, there is usually a concierge desk to hold the ceremony. Traditionally, we regard the seat near the concierge desk as an upper seat, which can highlight the status of the guest of honor and facilitate better viewing of the ceremony. The rest of the guests can sit in the back seat of the guest of honor. If there is no guest table at the scene, you can choose a seat backed by the main background wall as the upper seat.

Extended data:

First, the etiquette of sitting. Please take the guests to their seats first, and then ask the elderly to sit next to the guests in turn, and enter from the left side of the chair when seated. Don't move chopsticks after sitting, let alone make any noise, let alone get up and walk. If there is anything to say hello to the host (the person facing the door is seated, usually arranged according to the identity of the other party).

Second, when eating, please ask the old man to move chopsticks first. Eat less food every time, eat less food far away from you, eat quietly, and drink soup quietly. Sip the soup with a spoon. It is not advisable to drink a bowl to your mouth. Drink the soup when it is too hot and too cold, and don't blow it at the same time.

3. Don't burp and make other noises when eating. If there are involuntary noises such as sneezing and bowel sounds, you should apologize by saying "I'm sorry", "I'm sorry" and "Please forgive me".

4. If you want to serve food to guests or elders, you'd better use chopsticks, or you can send the food to them far away from the guests or elders. According to our Chinese custom, dishes are served one by one. If there are leaders, old people and guests at the same table, whenever a new dish is served, please ask them to move chopsticks first, or take turns asking them to move chopsticks first to show their attention.

5. When eating fish heads, fishbones, bones, etc. Don't spit everywhere and don't throw it on the ground. Slowly take it to your plate by hand, or put it next to your dining table, or put it on the paper prepared in advance.