In Chinese food etiquette, "where to sit" is very important. The main seat must be the person who invites, i.e. the person who pays the bill. The main seat is the furthest seat from the door. Across from the main seat sits the assistant of the inviter. The guest of honor and second guest of honor sit to the right and left of the inviter, while the third and fourth guests sit to the right and left of the assistant. It is considered rude to have the inviter and the guests sit facing each other, or to have the guests sit in the main seat; the Chinese culture is not to make the guests feel nervous.

The inviter can designate the guests' seats. One's subordinates or juniors may also be assigned seats that are more important than one's own. By assigning seats, the Chinese imply who is most important to them. Seating arrangements are not simply about assigning seats, but are a microcosm of social relationships.