Chinese Table Manners:
Do's and Don'ts
In China, seating arrangements at meals are taken very seriously. At formal banquets, guests should follow the host's seating plan.
pái zuòcì
seating arrangement
The seat facing the entrance is the most important and is usually reserved for the host or the guest of honor. The seat opposite the entrance is reserved for the co-host to have direct communication with staff and to make sure the ordering of food goes smoothly. Other guests will be seated according to their status hierarchy outward from the seat of the highest level attendee.
NOTE.
Some restaurants now offer "black-and-white chopsticks", which refer to "public chopsticks and private chopsticks".
Here are some other chopstick taboos you should know 🥢
🙅Don't:
Stick chopsticks vertically into your food.
Bite or lick the tips of chopsticks.
Pick up food by stabbing it with chopsticks.
Drag plates around with chopsticks.
Use chopsticks to move the bowl or plate.
When Chinese people say "干杯" (gān bēi) while toasting, it's not just a formality — it's a genuine expectation to finish the drink in your glass 🥂
lit. "dry-cup"
PRO TIP.
If you do decide to deliver a toast to your host, do that while standing and holding a cup with both hands. At the same time make sure you lower your glass than the one of your host. It's another sign of showing your respect and gratitude.
Even though most Chinese people use WeChat for exchanging contact information nowadays, in formal business meetings, it's still common to exchange 名片 (míngpiàn), and business cards.
"Face Culture" is widely present in Chinese society, and it's a cultural aspect that foreigners find challenging to grasp. Whether you're talking with friends, at work, or even between countries, keeping face is a big deal.
Here are several situations where "face" holds significant importance:
要面子 (yào miànzi) · "to save face"
给面子 (gěi miànzi) · "to give face"
"Giving face" means considering others' feelings.
丢面子 (diū miànzi) · "to loose face"
Refers to losing one's dignity or image.
没面子 (méimiànzi) · "to be without face"
Means feeling extremely embarrassed.
From business meetings to online appearances, the concepts of "miànzi" are still very important today. Here are some tips for maintaining "miànzi" in social interactions:
Chinese hosts are incredible at making guests feel welcome. Attending one of their dinners is a fantastic way to experience Chinese culture and bond with Chinese friends. You should always try everything the hosts offer and compliment them on their hospitality.
NOTE.
It is also common for guests to refill each other's drinks. So, it is important to say "谢谢 xièxie" to anyone refilling your drinks. And if your mouth is full, a polite alternative is to gently tap twice with your index and middle finger to avoid interrupting ongoing conversations.
It's polite to offer to pay the bill in China, but usually, the host insists on covering it. If someone else ends up paying, make sure to express gratitude and offer to treat them to a meal next time.
When dining with friends, it's common to playfully argue over who will pay the bill. If you're eager to treat your colleagues or friends, you can say:
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