The main difference between Chinese and Western eating habits is that unlike the West, where everyone has their own plate of food, in China the dishes are placed on the table and
everybody shares.
What not to do...
Never stick your chopsticks upright in your bowl. When someone dies, a bowl of sand or rice with two incense sticks sticking up of it, so if your chopsticks are sticking out of your bowl,
it is equivalent to wishing death upon the people at your table.
Make sure the spout of the teapot is not acing anyone as it in impolite. You should turn the spout outwards to a spot where no one is sitting.
Do not tap on the edge of your bowl with your chopsticks. Beggars tap on their bowls so if you are dining in someone’s home, you are insulting the cook.
Never eat the last piece of food on the serving plate.
Do not eat or sit dow before the host sits down.
Do not use your own chopsticks to bring food to your plate as it is considered rude and unhygienic.
Never take the last piece of food on a communal plate without asking permission.
Never refuse the last piece of food when offered to you.
What to do…
Hold the rice bowl close to your mouth while eating
Wait for eldest person to start eating before you start
Always feel extremely honoured when invited to their home as they generally prefer to entertain in public places and will only invite you to their house when an adequate relationship is made.
Greet the eldest person first.
Traditions to be
observed…
Chinese people often belch or slurp whilst eating; it means that they are enjoying their
food
The youngest person at the table is generally served last as a gesture of respect for the elders.
everybody shares.
What not to do...
Never stick your chopsticks upright in your bowl. When someone dies, a bowl of sand or rice with two incense sticks sticking up of it, so if your chopsticks are sticking out of your bowl,
it is equivalent to wishing death upon the people at your table.
Make sure the spout of the teapot is not acing anyone as it in impolite. You should turn the spout outwards to a spot where no one is sitting.
Do not tap on the edge of your bowl with your chopsticks. Beggars tap on their bowls so if you are dining in someone’s home, you are insulting the cook.
Never eat the last piece of food on the serving plate.
Do not eat or sit dow before the host sits down.
Do not use your own chopsticks to bring food to your plate as it is considered rude and unhygienic.
Never take the last piece of food on a communal plate without asking permission.
Never refuse the last piece of food when offered to you.
What to do…
Hold the rice bowl close to your mouth while eating
Wait for eldest person to start eating before you start
Always feel extremely honoured when invited to their home as they generally prefer to entertain in public places and will only invite you to their house when an adequate relationship is made.
Greet the eldest person first.
Traditions to be
observed…
Chinese people often belch or slurp whilst eating; it means that they are enjoying their
food
The youngest person at the table is generally served last as a gesture of respect for the elders.