DINING CUSTOMS
The big difference between Chinese and America is everyone has their own plate of food, while in China people share the dishes placed on the table. A typical Chinese meal starts with cold dishes. These are followed by the main courses, hot meat and vegetable dishes. Finally a soup is brought out, which is followed by principal food, usually including rice or noodles or sometimes dumplings.
One thing to be kept in mind is that when eating with a Chinese host, you may find that the host is using her or his chopsticks to take food in your bowl or plate. This is a sign of politeness. The proper thing to do would be to eat the whatever-it-is and say how yummy it is. If you feel uncomfortable with this, you can just say a polite thank you and leave the food there
3 Things to Remember
1) Don't put your chopsticks upright in your rice bowl. Instead, put them on your plate. The reason for this is that when somebody dies, the shrine contains a bowl of rice with two sticks put upright. So if you put your chopsticks in the rice bowl, it reminds people of the death upon a person at the table!
2) Make sure the mouth of the teapot is not directed at anyone on the table. The teapot mouth should always be pointed to where nobody is sitting,
3) Don't tap on your bowl with your chopsticks. Beggars tap on their bowls, so this is not polite.
CULTURAL NORMS
In China tipping is not part of the culture – it is a society where everything is fiercely negotiated and haggling is the norm.
People greet each other by bowing or nodding in China. Wait for the other person to offer their hand in a handshake. When meeting new people, formal introductions are the norm. When addressing people use their title and surname. Wait for them to suggest that you call them by their first name. Acknowledge the oldest person first. In the US we frequently pat a friend on the shoulder or hug. In China you should avoid physical contact and especially avoid touching a woman in public. Keep your gestures small and avoid pointing at anyone.
In most settings in China people are expected to dress relatively soberly. Women dressed in revealing clothes or with a lot of bare skin draw negative attention. When in a business setting avoid jeans and casual clothing. Women should dress conservatively. Large urban centers like Beijing are more western in their clothing styles than smaller rural areas.
The big difference between Chinese and America is everyone has their own plate of food, while in China people share the dishes placed on the table. A typical Chinese meal starts with cold dishes. These are followed by the main courses, hot meat and vegetable dishes. Finally a soup is brought out, which is followed by principal food, usually including rice or noodles or sometimes dumplings.
One thing to be kept in mind is that when eating with a Chinese host, you may find that the host is using her or his chopsticks to take food in your bowl or plate. This is a sign of politeness. The proper thing to do would be to eat the whatever-it-is and say how yummy it is. If you feel uncomfortable with this, you can just say a polite thank you and leave the food there
3 Things to Remember
1) Don't put your chopsticks upright in your rice bowl. Instead, put them on your plate. The reason for this is that when somebody dies, the shrine contains a bowl of rice with two sticks put upright. So if you put your chopsticks in the rice bowl, it reminds people of the death upon a person at the table!
2) Make sure the mouth of the teapot is not directed at anyone on the table. The teapot mouth should always be pointed to where nobody is sitting,
3) Don't tap on your bowl with your chopsticks. Beggars tap on their bowls, so this is not polite.
CULTURAL NORMS
In China tipping is not part of the culture – it is a society where everything is fiercely negotiated and haggling is the norm.
People greet each other by bowing or nodding in China. Wait for the other person to offer their hand in a handshake. When meeting new people, formal introductions are the norm. When addressing people use their title and surname. Wait for them to suggest that you call them by their first name. Acknowledge the oldest person first. In the US we frequently pat a friend on the shoulder or hug. In China you should avoid physical contact and especially avoid touching a woman in public. Keep your gestures small and avoid pointing at anyone.
In most settings in China people are expected to dress relatively soberly. Women dressed in revealing clothes or with a lot of bare skin draw negative attention. When in a business setting avoid jeans and casual clothing. Women should dress conservatively. Large urban centers like Beijing are more western in their clothing styles than smaller rural areas.