Table culture is table manners, which refers to common sense of etiquette on the table when eating.
Table etiquette occupies a very important position in the complete life order of the Chinese people. They believe that dining is not only a way to meet basic physiological needs, but also a first-class social experience.
Chinese people are a little different from Westerners in the way they eat. Westerners like to taste the food placed in front of them individually, while Chinese people have certain eating rules.
They like to order several dishes of delicacies and place them in the center of the dining table. Everyone has a bowl of rice and eats these dishes together. After the meal is finished, more dishes can be added; the dishes are usually placed first It is impolite to put the dishes in your own rice bowl and put the dishes directly into your mouth; according to convention, guests attending formal or traditional dinners will not eat all the dishes on the table, so as not to make the host mistakenly think that the dishes are not prepared enough. Feel embarrassed.
There are differences in food culture between China and the West. Chinese people prefer to go to teahouses as a group because they can taste more kinds of snacks and dishes. Although teahouses are equipped with dining tables for two, most people Most are dining tables for four or more diners. Teahouses are usually noisy and the atmosphere is not as romantic as a Western restaurant. If you are dining with two people, you may consider not going to a teahouse.
Extended information
Etiquette instructions
1. Tips for making an appointment. The more upscale hotels require reservations in advance. When making a reservation, not only specify the number of people and time, but also indicate whether you want a smoking area or a seat with a good view. If it's a birthday or other special occasion, you can tell us the purpose and budget of the party. It is basic courtesy to arrive within the scheduled time.
2. No matter how expensive your casual clothes are, you cannot wear them casually to restaurants.
3. Dressing appropriately when eating is common sense among Europeans and Americans. When going to high-end restaurants, men should wear neat tops and leather shoes; women should wear suits and heeled shoes. If formal attire is specified, men must wear a tie.
4. Sit from the left side of the chair. The most appropriate way to sit is from the left side. When the chair is pulled away, stand up straight at a distance that is almost touching the table. The leader will push the chair in, and you can sit down when your legs touch the chair behind you.
5. When dining, your upper arms and back should lean against the back of the chair, and your abdomen should be kept about a fist away from the table. It is best to avoid sitting with your feet crossed.
6. The formal order of serving the full meal is: ① vegetables and soup ② cod liver oil ③ fruit ④ meat ⑤ cheese ⑥ dessert and coffee ⑦ fruit, as well as pre-dinner wine and table wine. There is no need to order everything. It would be rude to order too much and not be able to finish it all. No decent restaurant welcomes people who only order appetizers. Appetizer, main course and dessert are the perfect combination. When ordering, you don’t start with the appetizers. Instead, you choose the main dish you want to eat the most, and then pair it with the soup that suits the main dish.
7. Don’t pretend to be an expert when ordering wine. In high-end restaurants, there will be a bartender who is good at wine tasting and will bring you a wine list. For those who don’t know much about wine, it is best to tell them the dishes you have chosen, your budget, and your favorite wine flavors, and ask the bartender to help you choose. .
8. If the main course is meat, it should be paired with red wine, and fish should be paired with white wine. Before serving, try a glass of lighter wine such as champagne, sherry or gills.
9. The napkin can be opened before eating. After ordering, open the napkin during the period before the appetizer is served, fold it inward by one-third, and let the two-thirds lie flat on your legs, covering the part of your legs above the knees. It is best not to tuck the napkin into the neckline.
10. How to place the knife and fork when taking a short break. If you want to put down your knife and fork to take a break while eating, you should place the knife and fork in a figure-eight shape in the center of the plate. If the knife and fork protrude from the plate, it is unsafe and unsightly. It is impolite to wave a knife and fork while talking. After eating, place the knife and fork at four o'clock.
Reference source: Baidu Encyclopedia-Table Etiquette