2, round tables are quite popular. Because you can sit more people, and everyone can sit face to face, the identity of the head of the family is not like the western long dining table is very clear through his seat and recognized. 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.
3. You must wait until everyone is present to begin 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, and it is perfectly reasonable to urge guests to eat and drink to their heart's content.
4. A typical Chinese table looks quite empty, especially to Western eyes. In front of each seat is a bowl on a plate; to the right is a set of chopsticks and spoons on their respective seats. On formal occasions, napkins are present, mainly in the lap.
5. At a formal banquet, the 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 each dish has its own characteristics, it should be tasted individually and only one at a time from the bowl, not a mixture of tastes. 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.
6. Except for soup, chopsticks are used for all food on the table. Chopsticks are a tool for eating, so do not play with them, it is very rude to use them as drumsticks, and you can not use chopsticks to point or gesture to people. Of course, one should never suck on the chopsticks or stick them in the rice. This is a big no-no and is considered unlucky, just like joss sticks at a funeral. Also, you should not use your chopsticks to flick through a dish; you should first look at the food you want to eat with your eyes. 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 have finished eating or picking up food.
7. 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. A few key things should be noted about tea. The person seated nearest the teapot should be responsible for pouring the tea for the others as well as for themselves, in order of age, from the oldest to the youngest, and finally for themselves. When people pour tea for you, etiquette should be tapped on the table with a finger, which is to express gratitude and respect for the tea pourer.