Eating Etiquette
By Filomena Mitchell
XPI China Correspondent

Food is a very important part of Chinese life, so it's easy to understand why there are so many rituals associated with eating. Here are a few:

Chinese tea is normally served throughout the meal. As a courtesy, the polite host or guest will be always top up the cups of those around him before topping up his own. And to thank each other for the courtesy, you will often see them tap the first two fingers of the right hand on the table. This little gesture apparently dates back to the time of Qing dynasty, when a certain emperor was fond of wandering incognito among his people. Since his companions could not bow to the emperor without revealing his identity, they devised the finger tapping as a sign of respect. Nowadays, it's also quite practical because one can continue to talk and tap his fingers at the same time.

Of course, you should use chopsticks to eat Chinese food. However, one thing you must not do is to stick your chopsticks upright in a bowl of rice. This has too much of a resemblance to incense burning in a bowl of sand, as in ceremonies to the dead. And you must not wave your chopsticks or use them to point at people, for fear that you can easily poke someone in the eye. It is also impolite to crossover someone else's chopsticks when reaching for food.

It is customary for the host to put down the quality of the food that is being served. However, do not agree with him or her, even if it's true. The proper etiquette is to complement your host profusely instead.

As in other Asian cultures, burping enthusiastically is a sign of appreciation, as opposed to that of rudeness in the western culture. At banquets, where you may be served up to twelve courses, try to pace yourself because you're expected to eat something from every dish. Again, the ritual is to refuse the first offer of food from your host, for fear of appearing to be greedy.

Turning a fish over on its plate is considered a bad omen, since it represents the capsizing of a boat. Instead, the fish bone should be removed from the top to get at the flesh underneath. You can always leave this to the host or the server.

Be sure to leave some of the noodles or rice behind that is served at the end of a banquet. If you finish it all, it implies that you're still hungry and that the host has not provided you with enough food.

Once the meal is over, you will notice that all the guests will leave promptly. This is contrary to the western custom of lingering over a cup of coffee. In fact, most Chinese restaurants will not even serve coffee, so be on your way!