Summary of Chinese Dining Etiquette - Decode China

Dining etiquette tips:

Serve Others First: Always serve the senior or elder guests first before helping yourself.
Wait Your Turn: Do not rush to grab food from the communal dishes; wait until everyone has had their turn.
Tea pouring etiquette: When someone pours you tea, a slight gesture (like tapping the table) is a sign of gratitude, originating from a historical practice involving an emperor.
Chopstick placement: Avoid sticking chopsticks upright in rice; instead, rest them on the table or use a Chopstick holder to show respect for ancestors.
Use Communal chopsticks: Use Communal chopsticks to serve food to avoid contamination from your own chopsticks.
Avoid Pointing with Food: Be cautious with how you present food, particularly chicken; pointing a chicken head at someone is considered very impolite.

Additional Notes:

The video emphasizes the importance of understanding and respecting Chinese Dining customs, especially in social and business settings. The speaker encourages viewers to share their own experiences and tips in the comments.

Notable Locations and Products:

The video does not mention specific locations but focuses on general Chinese dining practices.
Communal chopsticks and chopstick holders are highlighted as important dining tools.

Speakers:

The video features a speaker who shares insights into Chinese dining etiquette, but their name is not provided in the subtitles.

Notable Quotes

— 02:56 — « The Emperor wanted to go out into the village and live like a commoner, but his advisors said, 'We can't have that!' »

— 04:10 — « When someone pours your tea, you want to do something like this, and this is basically saying thank you. »

— 07:48 — « In a company, when the chicken head points to somebody, it means they're getting fired. »