Table Manners
Table Manners and eating custom in China are different with west countries.
Normally, all the dishes are lay out at the same time and eat what you like in China. However, dishes are served in order in restaurants or in formal situations. It’s unlike the regular diner includes appetizer, soup, entree, salad, choice of dessert, tea or coffee in westerners.
Refer to eating habit, all the dishes are placed on the table and everybody shares them, which is quite different with western style of having own plate of food. Since Chinese people are willing to show their hospitality to guests, they are tending to prepare the excessive food to entertain everyone. Sometimes, the Chinese host uses their chopsticks to put food in your bowl or plate. This is a sign of politeness. The appropriate thing to do would be to eat the whatever-it-is and say how yummy it is. If you feel uncomfortable with this, you can just say a polite thank you and leave the food there.
Below are some tips for your reference if have a chance to be a guest in Chinese family.
Lay your chopsticks on your dish never put it upright in the rice bowl, as it is extremely impolite to the host. In China, people do that at worship to the decedent.
Please make sure the spout of the teapot is not facing anyone. The spout should always direct to the place where nobody sitting.
Pre-trip essentials