Chinese Dininq Etikette – do’s and don’ts

Eating is the major pleasure of Chinese people (next comes Karaoke) and is a group event where people share the food sitting at a round table with a Lazy Susan in the middle. The European style of eating where everybody eats a personal dish from his plate is considered very unpolite! When travelling Chinese groups prefer restaurants where they can eat “Chinese Style” with a round table. For Chinese guests I have a special arrangement with an old style restaurant in Tübingen near the castle where typical Swabian sausages, kidney and liver ragout, pigs tail, sauerkraut and home made Spätzle were served at a Lazy Susan table. Typically it is accepted that Dining is less formal in Germany. However, when doing business in China, you should adhere to the basics of Chinese Dining Étiquette. Before asking for a fork you should try to use chopsticks. It’s OK to fail!

Recommended for training: CHOPSTICK MATCHBOX TABLE TENNIS

Use a matchbox instead of a ball. Throw and catch with chopsticks!

A good starter story: one boy asked me to make a photo with his camera. (Not recommended for smalltalk: When I asked why he chose me and not a Chinese visitor to take the photo he said that he was afraid that a Chinese comrade would take the camera and run away.)