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Chinese table manners are the traditional styles that are used for eating in the region of China. In most dishes in Chinese cuisine, food is cooked in bite-sized pieces and easy to grab and eat. Therefore, chopsticks are used at the table instead of forks and knives.

Eating in Chinese Culture

Eating is a dominant aspect of the Chinese culture. For instance, the Manchu Han Imperial Feast- a feast that consisted of at least 108 unique dishes from the Manchu and Han cultures- is one of the most notable Chinese cuisines since the Qing Dynasty. In China, eating out is one of the most accepted ways to treat guests. Similar to Westerners drinking in a bar with friends, eating together in China is a way to socialize and deepen friendship.

Table Manners

There are many traditions that govern table manners in China such as the correct treatment of guests and how to use chopsticks correctly. Although each Chinese household has its own set of table manners and rules, the foundational traditions used to welcome guests are the same.

Table Manners for Inviting Guests

There are common rules for inviting guests over. When the guest of honor enters into the room, the hosts stand until the guest of honor is seated.The host then orders the dishes brought, and the guest should be silent. When the dishes arrive, the meal begins with a toast from the host, and the guests then make a toast in turn in the honor of the host. The guest of honor should be the first one to start the meal. The best food in a dish should be left for the guest of honors. To show appreciation, guests are supposed to pay elaborate compliments to the food and tap index finger and middle finger on the table three times. 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 ever tasted. At the end of the meal, the guest of honor should make a speech about the host. Guests should never “split the bill” with the host. A guest who “split(s) the bill” is very ungracious and embarrassing to the host.

Chopstick usage

Since chopsticks are often used in many dishes in Chinese cuisine, knowing the correct chopsticks usage is essential.The most common chopsitics 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 people.
• Chopsticks are not used to move bowls or plates.
• Chopsticks are not used to toy with one's food or with dishes in common.
• When not in use, chopsticks must always be placed neatly on the table with two sticks lying tidily next to each other at both ends. Failure to do so is evocative of the way the dead would be placed in a coffin before the funeral.
• 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 pierce food with chopsticks. (They are not forks!)
• Do not point the chopsticks at another person. This amounts to insulting that person.
• Do not bang your chopsticks like drums. It implies you are a beggar.
• Do not stick chopsticks vertically in a bowl of rice. It implies the food is for the dead.

Importance of Table Manners

Chinese table etiquette is very important to Chinese people. Moreover, in Chinese culture, using correct table manners is believed to bring “luck” to the family while the incorrect will bring shame. Similarly, table etiquette indicates children’s educational status: holding chopsticks incorrectly leaves a bad impression on guests and shames the parents, who have the responsibility of teaching them.

See also

• Culture of China
• Chinese cuisine
• Chopsticks
• party
• Westerners
• Etiquette