User:Mingduodun/Chinese table manner

A Chinese table manner is a term for the style and manner that are used for eating in the region of China, and it has become widespread in other parts of the world as Chinese immigrated to other countries. In most dishes in Chinese cuisine, food is cooked in bite-sized pieces. Therefore, chopsticks are used at the table instead of forks and knives. The Chinese loves to eat. Moreover, eating is part of Chinese culture. In fact, in China, eating out is one of the most common ways to treat guests. Similar to the Westerns drinking in a bar with friends, in China, eating together is a way to socialize. Although each Chinese household has its own customized table manners and rules, the manners that are used to welcome guests are the same. The following are common rules of eating out: • Sit down after the guest of honor is seated. • The meal begins with a toast by the host, and the guests are also supposed to make a toast in turn in the honor of the host. • Dishes are ordered by the host. • The guest of honor should be the fist one to start meal. • The best food in a dish should be left for the guest of honors. • When the hostess says her food is not good enough, the guest must disagree with her, and tell her it is the best food he has tasted. • Guests are supposed to pay elaborate compliments to the food. • Tap index finger and middle finger on the table three times to express appreciation. • Guest should not “split the bill” with the host. “Splitting the bill” is very ungracious and embarrassing to the host.

Because chopsticks are used in most of the dishes in Chinese cuisine, knowing the correct chopsticks usage is also very important. Sometimes, the incorrect chopstick usage could bring embarrassment to one’s family. The most know chopsticks usages are the following: • Always grab the chopsticks in the middle, making sure that the ends are even. • Chopsticks are held in right hand only, even for left-handed. • Treat chopsticks as extension of your fingers, and do not point at other people or wave chopsticks around. • Do not suck the tips of chopsticks. • Do not use chopsticks to move dishes. • Do not poke or poke through food with chopsticks. (They are not forks!) • Do not bang chopsticks like drums. It implies you are a beggar. • Do not stick chopsticks vertically on a bowl of rice. It implies the food is for the dead. Chinese table etiquette is very important to the Chinese people. In China, for Children, table etiquette indicates their educational status, and for adults, it indicates their social status.