"Hero Seating" is the most important food ceremony in China. Since ancient times, because of the evolution of table furniture, the arrangement of seats has also changed. In ancient times, the person in charge of the family banquet was the elder with the highest seniority, and the last seat was the lowest. In a family dinner, the chief guest is the most respected guest, and the guest host is the last one. No one can sit down until the director sits down. Modernity is the principle of high right and low left. On the right is the top.
At the banquet, the specific ranking of each table is also divided into primary and secondary rankings. There are four basic methods of ranking, and they usually work at the same time.
The first method is that most hosts should sit facing the main entrance and at the main table.
The second method is to hold a multi-table banquet, and each table must be attended by the representative of the host.
The third method is the ranking of each table, which should be based on the distance from the table owner, with the nearest being the top and the far being the bottom.
The fourth method is that each table is in the same position from the host, and the right side is the respectful title, that is, the host of the table is the subject, the right side is the respectful title, and the left side is the respectful title.
In addition, the number of people dining at each table should be controlled at 10, preferably even. For example, six people, eight people and ten people. If there are too many people, it is not easy to take care of them, but they may not be able to sit down.
According to the arrangement of the above four rankings, the specific arrangement of the round table ranking can be divided into two specific situations. It's all about the theme.
The first case: each table has a topic arrangement. Its characteristic is that each table has only one host, the host and guest sit at the right head, and each table has only one dialogue center.
The second case: two themes for each table. It is characterized in that the host and wife sit at the same table, the male host is the first host, the female host is the second host, and the guest of honor and the lady of the guest of honor sit on the right side of the male and female hosts respectively. Therefore, each table objectively forms two dialogue centers. If the guest of honor is higher than the host, in order to show respect, you can also arrange to sit in the host's seat and ask the host to sit in the host's seat.
In order to facilitate the accurate seating of guests, in addition to the timely guidance and instructions of the host and the host, eye-catching personal name seat cards should be placed on the table in front of each guest's seat. When holding a foreign banquet, the seat card should be written in both Chinese and English. The convention in China is that Chinese comes first and English comes second. When necessary, the name of the dining car is written on both sides of the seat card When arranging seats for light meals, if you need to arrange a table, you can refer to the arrangement of the table at the banquet. The arrangement of ranks can follow four principles.
One is the principle of high right and low left. Two people sit side by side, usually the upper seat on the right and the lower seat on the left. This is because Chinese food is served clockwise, so the person sitting on the right has priority over the person sitting on the left.
Second, the middle seat is the principle of three people sitting together to eat, and the person sitting in the middle is higher than the people on both sides.
3. When dining on the principle of facing the front door, according to the etiquette convention, the person facing the front door is the upper seat and the person facing the front door is the lower seat.
Fourth, special principles In high-end restaurants, there are often beautiful scenery or elegant performances for diners to enjoy indoors and outdoors. At this time, the seat with the best viewing angle is the upper berth seat. When eating in some middle and low-end restaurants, people usually take the position near the wall as the upper seat and the position near the aisle as the lower seat.
Secondly, use chopsticks with China characteristics.
China's use of chopsticks is a scientific invention worthy of pride and admiration in the history of human civilization.
Eating with chopsticks makes people handy and can train the flexibility of the brain. Foreigners are amazed at the functions of clamping, picking, scooping and beeping of these two magical sticks, and they are also very happy to eat with them. In the long-term practice, people have also formed some etiquette taboos about using chopsticks: First, avoid knocking chopsticks. Even when waiting for a meal, you can't sit on the edge of the meal and knock with chopsticks in one hand, nor can you knock on a bowl lamp or a teacup with chopsticks. Second, avoid throwing chopsticks. When handing out chopsticks before meals, put them in pairs and then gently put them on everyone's table; When it's far away, you can ask someone to hand it over, not throw it on the table. Don't fork chopsticks. Chopsticks should not be placed horizontally and vertically, with a big head and a small head. Chopsticks should be placed next to the bowl, not on it. Four bogey chopsticks. When you need to leave temporarily during the meal, put chopsticks gently on the table or beside the plate, and don't put them in the rice bowl. Five taboos are waving chopsticks. When cutting vegetables, don't put chopsticks in the dish, turn them over. When others come to pick up food, you should avoid it intentionally, and beware of "chopsticks fighting". Six taboos dance chopsticks. When talking, don't use chopsticks as knives and dance around the table; Don't poke chopsticks in front of others when you invite them to dinner. It is impolite to do so.
Let's talk about the way to eat. This paper mainly introduces the etiquette norms of banquets, family banquets, simple meals and working meals (including buffets).
banquet
Usually refers to a social gathering in the form of a dinner party. It can be divided into formal banquet and informal banquet. A formal banquet is a grand and formal banquet. It is often a large-scale dinner event with elaborate banquet, held in high-end hotels or other specific places, and paying attention to ostentation and extravagance and atmosphere. For attendance, dress, seating arrangement, number of dishes, music performance, guest and guest speeches, etc. , often have very strict requirements and attention. Informal banquet, also known as informal banquet, is also suitable for formal interpersonal communication, but it is more common in daily communication. Its form is simple, focusing on interpersonal communication, not on scale and grade. Generally, only relevant personnel are arranged to attend, and spouses are not invited. Often, there are no excessive demands on dress, seating arrangement and the number of dishes, and music performances and speeches by guests and hosts will not be arranged.
family feast
That is, a banquet held at home. Compared with a formal banquet, the most important thing for a family banquet is to create a cordial, friendly and natural atmosphere, so that the host and guests attending the banquet can be relaxed, natural and casual, enhance mutual communication, deepen understanding and enhance trust.
Usually, family banquets often have no special requirements in etiquette. In order to let the guests feel the attention and friendliness of the host, basically the hostess cooks in person and the host acts as a waiter; Or the host cooks, and the hostess serves as a waitress to entertain the guests together, making them feel at home.
If you want to attend a banquet, then you need to pay attention to it. First of all, you should dress yourself neatly and generously, which is a respect for others and for yourself.
And go to dinner on time at the time invited by the host. In addition to the reception, the general banquet will invite guests to arrive half an hour in advance. It is not impolite to arrive a few minutes before the party for some reason. But being late is disrespectful to the host and very impolite.
When entering the host's house or banquet hall, you should say hello to the host first. Meanwhile. You should smile, nod or shake hands with other guests, whether you know them or not. Take the initiative to stand up and give up your seat to the old man; Be solemn and polite to female guests.
When seated, your seat should be arranged by the host or waiter, because some banquet hosts have already arranged it. If the seat is not fixed, it should be noted that the seat facing the door is the upper seat and the seat facing the door is the lower seat. Old people, old people and women should sit down first, and then find suitable seats for themselves.
Sit up straight after taking a seat, put your feet under the seat, don't straighten or shake your legs all the time, don't lean your elbows on the edge of the table, and don't put your hands on the back of the chair next to you. After taking a seat, don't look like no one is watching, and don't stare at the dishes on your plate with impatience. You can have a simple conversation with your partner.
Dress formally when eating, don't take off your coat, and don't take off your coat halfway. Generally speaking, it will be done after the host gives the start signal. Eat gently, and pick vegetables lightly. And put the food in your own small plate first, then pick it up with chopsticks and put it in your mouth. When putting food into your mouth, take a sip, tilt your elbows outward, and don't open them to the sides to avoid touching your neighbor. Don't make any noise when eating, drinking or drinking soup. When eating, if you want to use condiments placed in front of other guests at the same table, you should say hello to others before taking them; If it's too far, please politely ask someone to help you. If you must pick your teeth when eating, cover it with your left hand or handkerchief, and gently pick your teeth with a toothpick in your right hand.
When drinking, it is impolite to persuade others to drink, especially for those who can't drink well.
If the banquet is not over yet, but you have finished your meal, don't leave at will. Wait until the host and guests have finished eating, and the other guests can leave in turn.
light meal
In other words, this is the practice. The places where you eat light meals are often different, with the least manners. As long as diners pay attention to public morality and hygiene, pay attention to the environment and order, other aspects don't have to mind too much.
working luncheon
It is a business gathering held by partners who have business relations in business communication, with the purpose of getting in touch, keeping in touch, exchanging information or negotiating business. It is different from formal working meals, formal banquets and dinners with relatives and friends. It pays attention to an atmosphere, aiming at creating a relaxed, happy and harmonious atmosphere, which is conducive to further contact with friends through dinner. It is a business activity that continues in the form of dining, and the dining table is used as a conference table or negotiating table. Working meals are generally small in scale and usually held at noon. The host does not need to send a formal invitation, and the guests do not need to give a formal reply to the host in advance. The time and place can be temporarily selected. For the sake of hygiene, it is best to eat together or use public chopsticks.
We will continue our business conversation while having a working meal. But at this time, it should be noted that in this case, you should not record or video, or arrange a special person to record, just like in the conference room. If you don't need to take notes, you should get the consent of the other party first. Never go your own way as if you don't trust each other. When you find that the other party is dissatisfied with this, you can't insist on doing so.
Working lunch is a "business negotiation meal" between the host and the guest, and it is not suitable for people outside the theme to join. If you happen to meet an acquaintance, you can say hello or give a brief introduction to the person at the same table. But don't be presumptuous and leave your friends behind. In case someone who doesn't know enough "lingers", you can politely order the guests to leave "You are busy, so I won't take up your precious time any more" or "We'll contact you tomorrow. I will call you on my own initiative. "
buffet
It is a modern way of dining that draws lessons from the West in recent years. It does not arrange seats, nor does it arrange a unified menu. It displays all the staple foods, dishes and drinks that can be served together, and selects, processes and enjoys them according to the personal hobbies of diners.
This can save money, not much etiquette, and is convenient for both the host and the guest; Everyone can do whatever they want when eating. It is also the wisest choice to arrange meals in this way when holding large-scale activities and entertaining a large number of guests.
The choice of dishes is also very important.
The first category, China specialties. Pay more attention to this rule when entertaining foreign guests. Such as fried spring rolls, dumplings, steamed dumplings, lion heads, etc. It is not delicious, but it is highly praised by many foreigners because of its distinctive China characteristics.
The second category, dishes with local characteristics. For example, soup mutton in Xi 'an, braised pork in Maojia, Hunan, stewed lion's head in Shanghai, and instant-boiled mutton in Beijing, I'm afraid these specialties will be more praised than the same raw seafood when entertaining foreign guests there.
The third category is the specialty of this restaurant. Many restaurants have their own specialties. The last special dish of this restaurant can best reflect the host's care and respect for the invited guests.
The fourth category, master's major. When holding a family dinner, the host must shine in public and cook more special dishes. In fact, the so-called major is not necessarily perfect. As long as the host does it himself, this alone is enough to make the other party feel your respect and friendliness. When arranging the menu, we should also consider the dietary taboos of the guests, especially the dietary taboos of the guests. There are four main dietary taboos: religious dietary taboos, which cannot be ignored at all. For example, Muslims usually don't eat pork or drink alcohol. Buddhists in China don't eat meat, which not only means not eating meat, but also includes stimulating foods such as onions, garlic, leeks and mustard greens. Some foods are also taboo for health reasons. For example, people with cerebrovascular diseases, arteriosclerosis, hypertension and sequelae of stroke are not suitable for eating dog meat, people with hepatitis avoid eating mutton and soft-shelled turtle, people with digestive diseases such as gastroenteritis and gastric ulcer soup are not suitable for eating soft-shelled turtle, and patients with hypertension and high cholesterol drink less chicken soup. People in different regions often have different dietary preferences. For this reason, we should take this into account when arranging the menu. For example, people in Hunan generally like to eat spicy food and eat less sweets. British and American people usually don't eat pets, rare animals, animal viscera, animal heads and claws. Some professions, for some reasons, often have their own special taboos in catering. For example, national civil servants are not allowed to eat, invite guests, eat and drink at official banquets, eat beyond the standards stipulated by the state, and drink alcoholic beverages. For another example, drivers are not allowed to drink alcohol during work. If you ignore this point, you may make the other party make mistakes.
At a grand and formal banquet, the menu selected by the host can also be carefully written and distributed to everyone, so that diners can not only know it before the meal, but also keep it as a souvenir after the meal.
Scoop
Its main function is to scoop dishes and food. Sometimes eating with chopsticks can also be assisted by spoons. Try not to take food with a spoon. When taking food with a spoon, don't fill it too full, so as not to spill it and dirty the table or clothes. After scooping up the food, you can "pause" in the same place for a while, and then move back to enjoy it when the soup won't flow down again. When you don't use the spoon for a while, you should put it on your own plate. Don't put it directly on the table or let it stand at attention in food. After taking food with a spoon, eat it immediately or put it on your own plate, and don't put it back. And if the food you take is too hot, you can't spoon it or blow it with your mouth. You can put it in your own bowl and eat it when it is cold. Don't put the spoon in your mouth, nor suck or lick it repeatedly.
plate
Smaller plates are vegetables, which are mainly used to hold food, and are similar to bowls in use. Plates should generally be placed in the right place on the dining table and should not be piled together. What needs to be emphasized is a dish with special purpose called dish. The main function of dishes is to temporarily place dishes taken from public dishes for enjoyment. When using vegetables, don't take too many dishes at a time. It looks like a mess, like a hungry ghost reborn. Don't pile all kinds of dishes together, or they will "cross-taste" each other, which is not good-looking or delicious. Don't spit leftovers, bones and thorns on the floor and table, but gently pick them up and put them at the front of the plate. When you put it, you can't spit it directly from your mouth on the dish. You should put it next to the dish with chopsticks. If the plate is full, you can ask the waiter to change it.
cup
Mainly used for filling soft drinks such as water, soda, fruit juice and cola. Don't use it to hold wine, and don't turn the cup upside down. Besides, what you drink in your mouth can't be spit back into the cup.
Before Chinese food
If you are more picky, you will give each diner a wet towel. Can only be used to wipe hands. After wiping your hands, put them back on the plate and take them away by the waiter. Sometimes, a wet towel is put on before the formal banquet is over. Different from the former, it can only be used to wipe your mouth, not your face or sweat.
toothpick
Try not to pick your teeth in public. Cover your mouth with your other hand when you have to pick it up. Don't watch or re-enter in public, and don't throw it around or spit it out casually. After picking your teeth, don't hold a toothpick for a long time, let alone use it to get food.
Pay attention to your diet. Catering in any country has its own traditional habits and implications, and Chinese food is no exception. For example, if you can't fish when you are young, it means that you still have more than a year. When eating fish with fishermen and sailors, it is forbidden to turn the fish over, because it means "capsizing".
When eating, don't eat too much, take off your clothes, sweat and make noise. Not only is it impolite, but it will also spoil others' appetite. You can persuade others to use more, or try a dish, but don't take the initiative to help others with food. Don't say that hygiene is unsanitary, which will make people reluctant.
When choosing vegetables, don't look around, toss and turn, and pick and choose among popular dishes. It would be impolite if you clip it up and put it back. When dining at the same table, people should pay attention to mutual courtesy when taking food, walk in turn and take the right amount. Don't eat too much, fight for it, whether others have used it or not. If you can't reach the food, you can ask for help. Don't get up or even leave your seat to get it.
When eating, don't beat, but draw with lively gesticulations. And consciously don't smoke. When eating, if you need to clear your throat, blow your nose and spit, go to the bathroom as soon as possible.
When eating, don't decorate in public. For example, don't comb your hair, don't make up, don't take off your clothes, don't take off your socks, and don't take off your shoes. You can go to the locker room or bathroom if necessary. Don't leave your seat when eating. If you have something to leave, you should also say hello to the people next to you first, such as "Excuse me" and "I have something to do first".