Chinese dining etiquette is an important part of Chinese food culture. Good dining etiquette and table manners can show good self-cultivation and leave a good impression on your Chinese host. I have prepared some basic dining etiquette for you below.

 

Table

In China, people share dishes. For ease of sharing, square and rectangular tables are typically used for small groups, while circular tables are used for large groups. If the round table is very large, it usually has a turntable for easy delivery or serving.

 

Placement settings

In the restaurant, the basic place setting includes a set of chopsticks, a spoon, a small teacup, a large plate and a rice bowl. On more formal occasions, chopstick holders, large water or wine glasses and small glasses of liquor are provided. The dining table is served on the table in the low-end restaurant, while the high-end restaurant offers cloth napkins as part of the venue setting.

 

Meal taboo

Do not rub the food attached to the chopsticks, and do not use them to move the bowl or plate.

Do not use a chopstick to beat a bowl or a teacup.

Since the Chinese are used to leaving these chopsticks to the deceased, do not put the chopsticks vertically into the food.

Don’t “dig” or “search for someone’s food, this is sometimes called “dig a person’s grave” and it’s a very bad behavior.

Don’t use chopsticks to point to other people or wave them.

Do not use chopsticks to pick up food.