Table manners

Chinese ancient and modern table manners

The issue of dining etiquette can be said to have a long history. According to the literature, at least in the Zhou Dynasty, dining etiquette has formed a set of quite perfect system, especially by the praise and promotion of Confucius, who was once the priest of Lu, and became an important aspect of the successive dynasties to show the appearance of a great country, a state of etiquette, a place of civilization.

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 arrived, greetings, introduced into the living room to sit down, to tea. 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 delicate, 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 meal, and to eat a lot. 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 in 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, when finished 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 turn over the fish body, it means that the fishing boat will sink, this is due to the early days of the opening of Hong Kong as a fishing port, fishermen are very concerned about the safety of the ship navigation; In addition, the Chinese never served seven dishes of dishes for dinner, because after the funeral of the "libation" must have seven dishes of alcohol! 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, pancakes, ice cream, etc., equally sweet and tasty.

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 it to your lips, and use the chopsticks to push the rice into your mouth, which is one of the easiest ways of eating, and also indicates that you like to eat that 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 don't want to drink, you should make it clear at the beginning of the party to avoid an embarrassing scene.

The end of the banquet

When the guests have finished the last dish, the banquet is officially over, and the main character of the host family will stand up to indicate that the banquet is over, and will stand at the door to say "good night" to each guest, and then check out with the restaurant manager, while the rest of the host family sends the guests off to their cars, waving goodbye and seeing them off. The other members of the host family will escort the guests to the car, wave goodbye and watch the car drive away.

Cuisine

Most Chinese dishes do not consist of just one ingredient, but usually have other accompaniments or toppings to complement the main dish to create a dish that is full of color, flavor and aroma. For example, when cooking pork, crisp greens, such as celery or bell peppers, will be used to complement the pink, tender pork. For example, pork is cooked with crisp greens such as celery or peppers to complement the pink, tender pork. A meal will not be only one dish, usually at the same time on the two, or even four dishes, and each dish should be colorful and flavorful, the end of the order of the dishes on the collocation as the main theme, usually the same kind of dishes will be served at the same time, not before and after the end of the separate, in short, the whole meal should be coordinated with the collocation of the whole meal.

Drinks

Tea is the daily drink of the Chinese, soup is the best drink at meals, and on special days or occasions the Chinese will drink wine or spirits but not water, unlike Westerners. Chinese tea is the main drink in teahouses, and although there are other drinks available, they consider tea to be the most refreshing and invigorating drink, especially after eating greasy dim sum, which helps to wash away the grease. Each table is supplied with one or two teapots, and can be added to the drink, the guest only need to open the lid of the teapot and placed on the top of the pot, there will be a waiter to come to add boiling water; no matter how many tea cups with the same seat, one of them can be poured for the others, but remember to pour for others, and then finally pour for themselves, which is in line with the etiquette. The teahouse has different kinds of tea, guests can choose according to their personal preferences.

Differences in food culture between China and the West

There are differences in food culture between China and the West. The Chinese prefer to go to a teahouse in a large group to enjoy a wider variety of snacks and dishes, and although teahouses are equipped with a two-person table, most of them have a table for four or more diners. Teahouses are usually very noisy and the atmosphere is not as romantic as a Western restaurant, so if you're eating for two, you may want to consider not going to a teahouse.

Chinese table manners are summarized as follows:

I. The etiquette of being seated． First, invite the guests to take their seats. In order to invite the elders to take their seats next to the guests, to enter from the left side of the chair. Do not move chopsticks after being seated. Do not make any noise. Don't get up and walk around． If there is something to greet the host.

Second, when eating. The first to invite the guests. The first thing you need to do is to move your chopsticks. The first thing you should do is to take a small amount of food at a time. Eat less of the food that is far away from you. Don't make noise while eating. Don't make noise when drinking soup. Drink soup with a spoon in small sips. Don't hold the bowl to your mouth, and drink the soup when it's too hot or when it's cooled down. Don't drink while blowing. Some people like to chew their food. Especially if they chew crunchy food vigorously and make a clear sound. This is not a good etiquette. Especially when eating with a group of people, you should try to prevent this.

Third: Do not burp or make any other noises while eating, but if you sneeze or make any involuntary noises such as intestinal tinnitus, say "I'm sorry". I'm sorry," "I'm sorry. I'm sorry." or something like that. I'm sorry," he said, "I'm sorry.

Fourth; if you want to serve food to guests or elders. It is best to use the chopsticks. Can also be far from the guests or elders of the dishes sent to them in front, according to our Chinese custom. The dishes are served one by one. If there are leaders, elders or guests at the same table. Whenever a new dish comes up, ask them to move their chopsticks first. Or take turns asking them to move their chopsticks first. This is to show the importance of them.

Fifth: When you eat fish heads, fish spines, bones, etc., do not spit them out or throw them on the floor. Slowly take your hands to your own plate, or put it next to your own table or on a piece of paper that you have prepared in advance.

Sixth: Take the time to chat with the people around you about a few funny things to harmonize the atmosphere. Don't eat with your head bare, not caring about others, and don't gobble your food or drink too much.

Seventh: It is best not to pick your teeth at the table. If you want to pick your teeth, cover your mouth with a napkin or your hand.

Eighth: Make it clear that the main purpose of the meal is to talk business. Make it clear whether the main purpose of the meal is to discuss business. Or is it mainly to communicate with feelings. Or to eat mainly. If it is the former, in the arrangement of seating should pay attention to. The main negotiator's seat close to each other to facilitate the conversation or to ease the feelings. If it's the back. Just pay attention to common sense etiquette, focus on enjoying the food,

Ninth: when leaving the table. You must thank your host. Or invite the host to their home in the future, in return.

Chinese people are the help of etiquette, people eat for heaven, dining can not be no rules! Although it is said to speak or not to speak are three meals a day, but know better than not know it!

1. Invite guests to be informed early, 6:00 seating, the old man you 5:50 before calling guests to come, not right.

2. The host family can not be late; guests should be late 5-10 minutes, which is very considerate of the guests Oh, pay attention to master, natural guests and hosts are happy.

3. If you are sitting at a round table, the one facing the door is the main seat, or back * wall, counter; more sophisticated restaurants, will be distinguished by napkins, napkins, the highest position can not be randomly seated, unless you intend to invite you to go :D

4. The master of the right hand side of the main guest, the left hand side of the second most important guests; * the door facing the master of the side of the natural errand boy accompanied by guests to sit.

5.

5. guests can not be directly to the ordering staff to yell and point, should be good to sit down and wait for the host family to order; if the guests do have serious taboos or hobbies, should gently tell the host family, the host naturally want to do it for him to meet the guests small or large requirements.

6. The host family, do not point or less point need to use their hands to grab or hold to eat the dishes, such as crab, lobster legs, ribs and so on. There is no cure for three such dishes in one meal. What etiquette is left to speak of!

7. I don't force or oppose people to drink a small amount of alcohol, no alcohol is not a feast!

8. The wine is on the menu! Foreigners like to brag about their craft, the country can not make Xing brag about their own dishes, the host family carefully observed the cold dishes on all, each cup of wine, when immediately raised his glass, welcome to start. When the host carefully observes that the food has been served and the wine is in each glass, he or she should raise the glass and welcome the start of the meal, and so on. Don't hold back for too long, everyone is hungry and waiting for you to start eating! Don't forget to praise those who have eaten.

9. After each dish, although the waiter and the host will still move to the front of the host, but do not be too formal, if it is in front of me, and no one to turn the disk, I will also be the first to pinch a small chopstick taste!

10The host should always turn the plate to take care of most of the guests; the guests should be able to serve the guests without touching the plate; and if the guests can eat the whole meal without touching the plate, then both the host and the guests will be happy again.

11. If you don't have a waiter to distribute the food or if there are communal chopsticks and spoons, you need to watch what you are putting on the plate, and don't use your own chopsticks to pick and choose, or even to stir the food! Not everyone minds saliva on your chopsticks as much as your lover does! Usually pick the part closest to you.

12. It's a good idea to let the food on your chopsticks sit on your own plate for a while before you take it into your mouth. It makes the eating look less eager.

13. When chewing food in the mouth, the big thing to remember is to close your lips tightly to avoid talking, falling objects, spilling juices, and avoid making the appetizing sound of "Piyiyiyiyiyiyiyiyi.

14. Whether during the meal or before or after the meal, you should keep your back straight and try to sit back in the chair without *. Basically, keep your hands above the table during the meal.

15. A host with too good an appetite, and a guest who is on a diet, is not suitable for such a meal.

There are many etiquettes to be observed at the table that are often overlooked.

(A) seating and leaving the table

1, should wait for the elders to be seated, before taking a seat.

2. If there is a woman at the table, she should wait until she is seated before taking her seat. If a woman's seat is next door, you should call out to her.

3. After the meal, the host and hostess must leave the table before the other guests can leave the table.

4. Sit upright and keep a proper distance from the table.

5, dining in the restaurant, should be led to the table by the waiter.

6. When you leave the table, you should help the elders or women in the next seat to drag the seat.

(2) the use of scented napkins

1, napkins are mainly to prevent soiling of clothes, but also to do to wipe the mouth and hands of oil stains.

2. You must wait until everyone is seated before using the napkin.

3, the napkin should be spread out, placed on the upper thighs of the knees, do not tie the belt, or hanging in the suit collar.

4, do not use the napkin to wipe the tableware.

(C) general etiquette at the table

1, after taking a seat in a proper posture, feet under my seat, do not arbitrarily straighten, elbows should not lean on the edge of the table, or put their hands on the back of the neighboring chairs.

2, the meal must be gentle and elegant, calm and quiet, not impatient.

3, at the table can not only care about themselves, but also care about others, especially to greet the female guests on both sides.

4, there is food in the mouth, you should avoid talking.

5, self-use cutlery may not reach into the communal plate to clip the dishes.

6, must be small mouth to eat, not big mouth stuffing, food end of swallowing, can not be stuffed into the mouth.

7. When taking food and scooping up soup, you should use communal chopsticks and spoons.

8. You can't spit out what you've eaten. If the food is hot, you can drink water or juice to cool it down.

9. When sending food in, both elbows should be leaning inward, not spreading out straight to the sides and touching the neighboring seats.

10, their hands holding knives and forks, or other people chewing food, should be avoided to talk to people or toast.

11, good eating is food on the mouth, not the mouth on the food. Food with meter, can not be sent to the mouth in a hurry, otherwise the soup drops on the tablecloth, extremely indecent.

12, do not use your fingers to pull out the teeth, should be a toothpick, and hand or handkerchief to cover.

13, avoid coughing, sneezing, sulking at the table. In case you can't help it, you should say "sorry".

14, drinking should be casual, toast to the gift to the end, do not persuade, guessing, yelling.

15, such as tableware fell to the ground, you can ask the waiter to pick up.

16, in the event of accidents, such as accidentally splashing wine, water, soup to the clothes of others, to apologize, do not panic to make amends, but make each other embarrassed.

17. If you want to use the condiments in front of other guests at the same table, you should ask the neighboring guests to help you pass them on, and not to reach across and take them.

18. If the host cooks the food himself, don't forget to give him appreciation.

19. If you eat something unclean or smelly, do not swallow it, but remove it gently from your mouth with your thumb and forefinger and put it on the plate. If you find that there are insects or stones in the dish that you have not eaten yet, do not be alarmed, but wait for the waiter to approach and tell him gently to replace the dish.

20. After eating, the tableware must be neatly arranged and not placed in a messy manner. The napkin should also be folded and placed on the table.

21. Smoking is not recommended during the main course of the meal; if you need to smoke, you must first ask your neighbor for permission.

22, eating in the restaurant, can not rush to pay the bill, push and pull to pay, to be indecent. If you are a guest, you should not rush to pay the bill. Without the consent of friends, it is also not appropriate to pay the bill on behalf of friends.

23. The speed of eating should be synchronized with that of the host and hostess, not too fast, not too slow.

24, the table can not talk about sad things, otherwise it will destroy the happy atmosphere.