Dining etiquette

In Chinese culture, proper dining manners are extremely important. A sumptuous meal was served as entertainment for guests during the Qing Dynasty, and when people ate and drank together, the descendants were expected to behave politely. People will host a supper to welcome guests when they arrive and a farewell dinner when they depart.

In Chinese culture, it is customary to serve alcohol to guests as they arrive and go. "No booze, no protocol," says an adage. When toasting at a banquet, proper protocol is also required. For instance, the rule that states, "drinking with others, never drink first," applies: the guest should wait until the host proposes a toast and instructs them to drink.

The guest may toast the host if they wish to thank him or her for their hospitality. It is also considered courteous to hold off on eating until the host takes a bite during a meal. The adage "eating with others, never to taste first" is used to describe this. There are a number of dining conventions, such as "never sigh at the table," "never use your hands during a meal," "never throw bones to the dog," and others. For a happy eating experience, the host and guest should respect one another.