Introduction:? Chinese etiquette covers a wide range of topics, from the way of the ruler and ministers to dressing and eating, there is basically a whole set of procedures. In the course of its evolution, some of the corresponding rules and regulations of etiquette have also been condensed into easy-to-remember sayings or catchphrases.

Diet is the basis for survival, but also an important place for human interaction, especially for banquets and guests to pay more attention to dining etiquette, from the placement of chopsticks and bowls to the end of the meal, should be in line with the norms. There is also a saying about diet? The dish is not set three, chopsticks not five, seat not six? What kind of dining etiquette does it imply?

What is the meaning of the saying "No three dishes, no five chopsticks, no six seats"?

What is the meaning of the phrase "no three dishes, no five chopsticks, no six seats"

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The meaning of the phrase "don't put three dishes on the table" is literally that it is not appropriate to put three dishes on the table, so why is there such a saying? First of all, if you are a family member dining on your own, three dishes is perfectly fine, and there is not so much to say. But if it is a banquet guests, three dishes will seem shabby, and even not enough to eat. Secondly, ? three? The symbolism is not good. Three of the harmonic is? Scattered? The meaning of the word "three" is "three" and "three" is "three". Scattered? It is against the intention of reunion. Ancient norms are many, the feast certainly can not be unsuitable for the appearance of the word reunion.

Finally, ? three? The actual and ancient sacrificial rituals. Ancient rituals mainly use pigs, cows and goats three kinds of livestock, if the table set three dishes, it will let the guests mistakenly think that it is a sacrifice. Even if the host is unintentional, but it may lead to the gathering is not happy, and even affect the friendship of the two families.

The chopsticks are not five? The first thing you need to know is that the chopsticks should not be placed in an odd number. It is common sense for Chinese people not to use chopsticks in odd numbers, and the host will certainly pay attention to this. But beyond that, the meaning of ? Chopsticks should not be placed in odd numbers. also implies that chopsticks should be arranged in a neat and tidy manner, not in a disorganized manner. Five? It is not a specific value, but a symbolic statement.

The first thing you need to know is that you can't be a good person, and you can't be a bad person. That is, try not to eat a table sitting six people. Most of the ancient table for the square, the square is not good distribution of guests, if the rectangle is okay, the square is very bad distribution, how to distribute uneven. But this point is difficult, the number of guests is just six, how to do? Family just six people, how to do? After the advent of the round table, this problem basically does not exist, and now society does not care.

All in all, there is some truth in not having three dishes and five chopsticks, and it is worthwhile to learn from the current society. However, it is not practical to implement a six-seat meal, which is difficult to do, and is not in line with common sense. So, what other dining etiquette is there in ancient Chinese society?

Ancient Chinese dining etiquette

Ancient Chinese dining etiquette is a microcosm of society, and social norms are rooted in dining. In ancient times, men were superior to women, and hierarchical order was emphasized. So during meals, especially banquets, the women of the family were mainly responsible for cooking and a series of dining affairs. However, they were not allowed to eat at the table, but only after the guests had finished eating. When eating at the table, the elders of the family are seated at the top of the table, while the juniors and women are seated at the bottom of the table. This dining etiquette has gradually changed since modern times and has basically disappeared. However, it still needs to be observed and inherited that the elders are seated first and the juniors are seated second.

Chinese people emphasize that eating should not make any noise, and that stools should be placed as lightly as possible to avoid ear-splitting noises, and that chopsticks should not be inserted in the rice. In fact, these dining norms are relatively reasonable, and the elders in the family often ask the younger generation to abide by and implement them. But the hierarchical thinking in ancient diets runs counter to the concept of equality and is not worth advocating or promoting.

Often, knowing the eating habits of your guests in advance can minimize embarrassment and improve dining standards. This is especially true for major occasions, where it is important to plan ahead. There is also a big gap between the Chinese and foreign dining cultures, and even a bit of a backlash against them.

Contrast between Chinese and foreign dining etiquette

A very intuitive phenomenon, Westerners practiced separate meals, China since ancient times, but the same table to eat, unless the situation is special, for example, and ethnic minorities dining. Even compared with the same cultural circle of East Asia, there are similarities and differences. The Japanese make a lot of noise when they eat, and the louder the noise, the tastier the meal, whereas the Chinese consider it extremely rude to make noise when eating. But in many East Asian countries, the eldest eats first and sits in the upper seat, which is influenced by Confucianism.

In the same cultural circle of countries, dining etiquette have similarities, but there are also many differences, not to mention the different cultural circle of countries. There is no uniform standard of dining etiquette, and while inheriting the excellent achievements of our own people, we should also respect the etiquette of other countries, which cannot be measured and viewed by a uniform standard.

Conclusion: Chinese dining etiquette from its inception to the modern era, there have been thousands of years of development history, and has long been part of Chinese culture. In modern society, a lot of dining etiquette is gradually diluted or even forgotten, the fast-paced life makes people have no time to care. But etiquette is like a glass of wine, it is worth to be inherited and used. In fact, it is very simple, in the daily life a little bit to regulate themselves, for example, do not use chopsticks to eat without knocking the bowl, adults on the table before eating, this is the inheritance and development of etiquette. In short, etiquette has two sides, the normative should be inherited, and the dregs should be discarded.