Chinese Table Manners & Etiquette: Key Dining Tips | That’s Mandarin

Feb 20, 2025

Chinese Table Manners and Etiquette: Essential Dining Tips for Respectful Dining

Chinese Table Manners and Etiquette: Essential Dining Tips for Respectful Dining

China is a country where elements of modern life are still strongly entangled with traditional elements. You may notice all the high skyscrapers and advanced technology, but you can’t avoid the traditional costumes that remain a vital part of many aspects of daily life, Chinese dining etiquette being one of them. Let’s take a look at Chinese table manners and etiquette.

Chinese table rules are strongly connected to courtesy. Chinese chopsticks etiquette, Chinese drinking etiquette, and other aspects of Chinese meal etiquette are crucial, including seating arrangements, who starts eating first, the correct way to use chopsticks, drinking customs, and how to express one’s impressions during a meal—all tied closely to Chinese hospitality etiquette and the broader context of Chinese culture and food.

Seating Arrangement Etiquette in Chinese Dining

When doing business in China or building relationship with Chinese friends, you will sooner or later have an opportunity to go for lunch or dinner at a typical Chinese restaurant. There are certain things you need to pay attention to when attending such an event, firstly to show your respect to your friends or partners, and secondly to demonstrate that you are committed to building a strong relationship.

The chair facing the entrance is reserved for the host or the highest-ranked guest of honor, as determined by age, social standing, or occupation. The second supporting host will usually take the seat directly facing the entrance doors, enabling direct communication with the staff and ensuring the smooth ordering of food. The rest of the guests will be seated according to their status hierarchy, with higher-ranking individuals sitting closer to the seat of honor. Guests of the lowest position sit furthest from the seat of honor.

Chinese Table Etiquette and Manners: Compliments in Chinese Dining Etiquette

We recommend you wait until you are told where to sit, as you don’t want to take the wrong seat and loose face. On top of that, wait for the rest of the hosts to sit down first before you do.

Elders or Higher in Status Ranking Eat First

As a general rule of thumb, it is recommended to always wait for your host, elder individuals, or the head of the table to set the pace. This applies to seating down, starting to eat, conversation, and more. Chinese dining etiquette dictates that eating commences with the main host’s signal, sometimes even following a welcoming speech. Make sure you allow the eldest or the highest-ranking person at the table to pick up their chopsticks first, no matter how tempting that cold dish of vegetables looks!

Chopsticks and What (Not) to Do with Them

It’s very simple: don’t point, stir, stab food, lick the tips of chopsticks, stick them vertically in food, play with them, drag plates around with chopsticks, dig around in food, pass a piece of food to someone with them, or snatching it from someone else. These actions violate Chinese chopsticks etiquette and should be avoided.

Did I say it’s easy? I guess it’s quite a lot to think about, but no worries. A couple of dinners and you’ll get used to these Chinese table manners and will dine like a laoban!

Rules for Drinking and Clinking Glasses in Chinese Dining

Drinking alcohol during formal dinners is another important aspect of Chinese dining etiquette that requires attention, or it can quickly get out of hand. Trust us, been there, done that. Drinking to build relationships has been an important part of history, and China is no exception. It’s a way to show respect and face. The highest-ranked host or director at a formal dinner will be the one to initiate drinking and toasting. Therefore, we recommend not drinking by yourself but rather waiting for others to give the toast.

If you do decide to deliver a toast to your host, do so while standing and holding a cup with both hands. At the same time, make sure you lower your glass below that of your host’s. This is another sign of showing respect and gratitude in Chinese hospitality etiquette.

Chinese Drinking Etiquette

Compliments in Chinese Dining Etiquette

Lastly, and equally important: Chinese people are amazing hosts, and they often go out of their way to make sure their guests are eating the best food, drinking the best rice wine, and explaining the history and background of each dish, all intertwined with interesting historical facts. Going to one of these dinners is definitely the best way to get to know Chinese culture and Chinese friends.

As much as you will appreciate their gesture, your hosts will also appreciate seeing you full and happy. Make sure you express your gratitude, give them all the compliments they deserve, and show your respect. Leaving some of your food on the plate as a sign that you are full and that the food was good will also go a long way. Guaranteed, this is the best way to build a strong relationship between two cultures.

Chinese Dining Etiquette | That's Mandarin Blog

We hope you enjoyed reading about Chinese table manners and etiquette! If you want to learn more about Chinese culture, considering having a look at the meaning of different colors in Chinese culture!

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