China is a country well known for courtesy(举止有礼) In traditional Chinese people's daily life, etiquette (礼节), can be seen everywhere like sitting and standing positions, the way of speaking to others, the polite behaviours when 1people, as well as table manners.
Eating is an important aspect of Chinese culture And eating out is one of the most common ways to honour guests, socialise, and deepen friendships. So it's 2to learn proper etiquette in formal dining, 3how to arrange seats, how to order dishes, and how to eat.
Seating arrangement is a very important part of Chinese dining etiquette, no matter at home or restaurant. 4, the seat of honour is usually the one facing the entrance and will be 5for the guest with highest status or the master of the banquet. Those of higher position sit closer to the seat of honour. The guests of lowest position sit furthest from the seat of the honour and it's normally where waiters 6the dishes. Attending a banquet with many tables, you should7that the most important table serving for guests of honour will be in the front or in the middle of the restaurant hall. It is better to 8after the elders have taken their seats.
Ordering dishes is another important part of Chinese table manners. If time 9, the menu will be passed round among the people10. If you are the host, make the final decision after asking for the others' 11. If you are one of the guests, you may order a(n)12and commonly-favourite dish. Chinese table manners encourage that we must not waste food and should consider the others' dietary restrictions. For example, vegetarians don't eat any kinds of meat.
Last but not least, you need to know how to eat at the table. 13you will be considered rude. Chinese are 14about food, as well as what they look like when eating food. After being seated, the waiter will give you a towel to 15the hands. When there are dishes about lobster, crab or fruit, a bowl of water may be served with some rose petals or lemon slices, which are not drinks 16 to wash your hands. At a formal Chinese banquet, the cold dishes will be served first, then the hot dishes, and dim sum and fruits at last. Here are some important 17 for the table manners in China.
Be graceful and polite when taking food with chopsticks
Don't make much noise when eating or drinking soup
Don't talk with mouth 18.
Don't point at someone with chopsticks or play with chopsticks.
Don't 19the teeth with a toothpick in public.
Don't insert chopsticks in the bowl with rice, 20it indicates ancestor worship.
