Traditionally, at dinner, Chinese people sit in a circle at a round table while the dishes are placed in the middle of the table to be shared by all. In more health-conscious environments, only “public” chopsticks and spoons are used to remove food from the plates in the middle of the dining table, so as to prevent any possible spread of diseases. In China, a standard banquet usually consists of four to eight prepared cold dishes, eight hot dishes, two to four whole-size showpiece dishes (such as a whole fish, a whole chicken), as well as soup, steamed rice and pastries, and fresh fruit for dessert.
Often beer, yellow rice wine and strong white liquor are served at a Chinese banquet. During the meal, you can hear people saying “Gan Bei” when toasting each other, which means “cheers” or “bottom up”. People “Gan Bei” to communicate the message that they are sincere and joyful.
Quick Dining Etiquette Tips
While Eating
Like Chinese etiquette in other areas, if a foreign guest broke one or two of these rules it’s not likely that a Chinese person would be offended. Many Chinese people are even impressed if non-asian foreigners can use chopsticks.
- Do not play with your chopsticks.
- Do not leave your chopsticks sticking out of your food.
- Do slurp your soup. Chinese people don’t mind some noise while eating.
- If you are at a “feast” then you do not need to finish all the rice in your dish.
- If you are eating a small meal with family then do finish the rice that you take.
- Do leave bones, shells or other things you don’t want to eat on your plate or on the table.
- Do help yourself to the food.
- Do not be too quiet.
The Bill
By breaking these rules you could potentially offend someone. In China the bill is payed once by one person and then next time by the other person and this process continues. Leaving some personal debt between friends, family or business contacts keeps the relationship strong and ongoing.
- Do offer to pay the bill.
- DO NOT split the bill.
- You do not have to pay the bill. ;) Usually if you are a guest of a Chinese person they will insist on paying the bill.
- Do pay the bill the next time, or if you did pay the bill the first time then do let them pay the bill the next time.
- Do not tip any of the restaurant staff.
Rules for Drinking:
Rules for drinking are less clear cut. The rules can vary based on the situation and can also based on which part of China you are drinking in. In general, people in Northern China drink more than people in Southern China.
- If you are drinking beer and someone says “gānbēi” (干杯, dry the glass, cheers) to you, you should drink the whole glass. If you are not sure about that then just take their lead.
- If you are drinking white liquor (白酒, báijiǔ) then just take a sip of liquor from the glass when you “gan bei” with somebody.
- If you are with a group of people that you have just met you should “gan bei” to each of them individually.
- Sometimes Chinese people will get drunk during supper. They can get just as drunk during supper and Kareoke as “wàiguórén” (外国人, foreigners) can during parties and at bars.
- Having open liquor on the street is legal but it just doesn’t look good.
