Dining etiquette in China: how to behave during a meal.

How much do you know about Chinese cultural traditions and dining etiquette? Would you greet someone by asking: “have you eaten” instead of “how are you”? Well, Chinese people do, and this explains the primary importance of food in Chinese culture. An invitation for a meal is the expression of Chinese traditional care for the guest, but it also helps strengthen the Guanxi (关系) or “relationship”.

If you don’t want to be caught unprepared for a business meal or a dinner with your Chinese partner read these 4 tips on dining etiquette:

1. Never sit on a random spot!

Especially if you are invited for a business meal you will most probably be taken to a restaurant and led to a private room with a big round turning table. Just wait until someone tells you where to sit.

The traditional sitting arrangement follows the class division of ancient imperial China, when first came the emperor and his family, then the court, followed by merchants and finally the farmers. This spot is reserved for the guest with the highest status. Those with high positions sit next to him. On his left side will sit the second, fourth, sixth…and on the right the third, fifth, seventh, and so on in importance. The seat of honor is always located opposite the entrance door to be seen and be able to watch who is coming in. You will have a clue on how important you are considered depending on how close your place is from “the emperor”.

2. Be respectful while eating with chopsticks.

Even if you can’t hold them like a Chinese, no one will laugh at you. Just remember that there is a dining etiquette and also a chopsticks etiquette. Some things shouldn’t absolutely be done while handling chopsticks:

Never point at people, as it is seen as a sign of accusation.
Don’t stick them vertically in your bowl of rice, because it recalls a funeral ceremony.
Don’t cross them. The Emperor used to do so when he sentenced someone to death.
And generally, don’t play with them.

For more tips on chopsticks, etiquette read the article Chinese table manners: chopsticks rules and etiquette.

3. Eat at least a bite of all local dishes.

The host will order the dishes and the amount of food you will see coming in will be huge. This is because there must be leftovers, meaning that all the guests have eaten enough, and everybody is satisfied. Food will be served in big dishes and placed in the middle of a rotating table.

Start eating only after the host gives a sign to start. Don’t pick up too much food at once and make sure to try and enjoy all the local specialties on the table. Don’t expect to find fresh or cold water and don’t be surprised if you will be served only hot water and tea also in summer and while eating super spicy food!

It can also happen that a pot of tea on the table is used by your dining companions to sterilize plates, bowls, and chopsticks. So, if you see them rinsing their utensils, just follow them.

4. Cheer in the sign of a good relationship.

Sometimes also your ability to handle alcohol may condition your business relationships. You can’t decline a toast unless you have an extremely valid excuse (even if you are a woman). Refusing a toast, especially if it is called by the boss will make him will lose face. In the case of Ganbei (干杯), literally “dry glass” somebody will raise a toast and you will be expected to drink your glass. If you toast someone older or with higher status, hold your glass slightly lower than his. Hold your glass with the right hand. If you want you can place the left hand under your glass in a sign of respect.

Perhaps, with this little advice, you will feel more confident when invited to dinner in China!

Anyway, don’t forget that the most important things are always to be polite, appreciate and enjoy the food!