Dining in China: Essential Table Manners and Etiquette You Must Know

China pays great attention to courtesy, especially when it comes to food culture. Chinese dining etiquette is deeply rooted in the country’s history, and table manners and distinctive courtesies are essential elements of an enjoyable dining experience. In this article, we offer advice on what to pay attention to when dining in China or eating with Chinese people.

What is the table etiquette in China?

We’ll guide you through the basics of Chinese dining etiquette, Chinese food culture, and the key Chinese table manners that will help you navigate meals with Chinese people respectfully.

Dining in China Rules of Chinese Etiquette in a Restaurant

In China, Dining in China if you would like to invite your friend or business partner to have lunch together at a restaurant, you should let the other side go through the menu and choose what they would like to eat first, as you’re the initiator in this situation. Usually, Chinese people aren’t very particular about what they want to eat and may just order a couple of inexpensive dishes. However, it’s customary in Chinese dining etiquette to “persuade” your guests to order more dishes or something more expensive in order to demonstrate your hospitality and show your respect for them.

Chinese food culture is an important part of Chinese restaurant etiquette. Chinese dining involves respect and an understanding of cultural etiquette, making the experience both meaningful and respectful.

1. Let the elderly start first

Filial piety plays a tremendous role in Chinese culture, and showing respect for the elderly has always been highly valued in China. Therefore, giving up seats to the elderly on public transport, or helping the elderly cross the street is something young people should keep in mind all the time. Chinese table manners are no exception. In China, when eating with people who are older than you, it’s respectful to pass food to the elderly first. If a dish is particularly tasty, you’re expected to let the elders have more of it, demonstrating your respect for Chinese dining etiquette and cultural values.

2. Using Chopsticks Properly

The use of chopsticks is something delicate in Chinese culture, and there are taboos related to the use of chopsticks in Chinese table manners. One of the most disrespectful things that you should never do is to stab your chopsticks into a bowl of rice and leave them pointing upwards. This is considered extremely rude in Chinese dining etiquette. It’s said that in ancient China, a bowl of rice with chopsticks stabbed into it was the last meal served to death row prisoners. Probably that’s why Chinese people regard it as something ominous. It’s also inappropriate to point your chopsticks at other people, as it goes against traditional Chinese food culture and cultural values.

3. Avoid Making Unpleasant Sounds

In Chinese culture, Chinese table manners dictate that chewing loudly is viewed as indecent behavior, which is pretty similar to Western culture. In addition, slurping soup off a spoon is also considered discourteous, as it’s accompanied by an irritating noise.

4. Use of Toothpicks Discreetly

Many Chinese people like to use toothpicks to clean their mouths after eating. When you’re trying to remove food that gets stuck between your teeth, always remember to use one of your hands to cover your mouth when using toothpicks. Besides, it’s considered disrespectful if you have a toothpick dangling between your lips when talking to someone, as it goes against Chinese table manners and Chinese dining etiquette.