DINNER IN THE EAST!!

(CHINESE DINNING ETIQUETTE – HISTORY, PHILOSOPHY AND ART.)

What a great leap it may be for many people, especially many Africans when they ought to sit on the Asian table. Being used to the natural SPOON method, as in the rapidity of using the fingers for almost everything in one`s bowl...banku, rice balls, plantain and beans... it may be cumbersome to observe the rigid and somewhat careful dexterity demanded in transporting a morsel of food from plate to mouth by means of chopsticks... But even then, the use of chopsticks is just an aspect of Chinese dining. Thus, as more and more Chinese restaurants spring up in African countries, there is the need to know more about Chinese Dinning Etiquette and to learn what it entails to have a meal with the Chinese or in China or simply in a Chinese restaurant, since it embodies more than meets the eye...its HISTORY, PHILOSOPHY AND ART !!

DINNER IN THE EAST!!

Dining, in China, has always been regarded as a matter of importance. The vast choice of Chinese cuisines has compelled people to pay more attention to the finer details of dining, upholding customs, and  building social ties, which bring about such distinctive etiquettes of Chinese dining. Dating back to the Zhou dynasty, a set of well established etiquette system for dining came into being. After its propagation and exaltation by Confucius, it became one of the most important ways for Chinese Imperial Courts to show the greatness of the Chinese. These Dining etiquettes have in the course of time been perfected, forming part of the Chinese way of life.

In China, dining is more than just a way of satisfying one`s appetite but the most important means of social interactions. So, the things that are worth noting include,

·        THE ROUND DINING TABLE, which is notably different from Dining tables in the West which are mostly square. Square tables are not suited to Chinese Cuisine with its soups and sauces. Thus, when you walk into Chinese restaurants, you`ll find most of 

      the tables are round. Round tables allow all of the diners to focus at the center of the table, which makes it more convenient for  friends to chat with each other. Moreover, all the diners could share the food easily from the same distances, which makes a more lively atmosphere.

·         PRINCIPLES OF HOST AND GUEST:  The ancient Chinese proverb " Without a pair of compasses and a T-square, you can`t draw a circle and a square properly" gave rise to the phrase "rules and regulations", which governs the procedure for hosting and attending a Chinese banquet or dinner. Since Ancient times and even up to date, it is almost imperative (depending also on the nature of the banquet) for a host to invite his guests with a written invitation. He then waits for their arrival at the door on the day. When the guests arrive, both sides exchange greetings before the host leads the guests to the table. When the guests are seated, the host proposes a toast to the guests to start the dinner; the guests then thank the host in the same manner.

 Again, do keep in mind the seating arrangement of the host and guests. The most venerable person or the host is usually seated at the place of honor which is central seat farthest from the door. The seat facing the honor place of the table is reserved for the second host. Others will take their seat in turn. However be patient and observant as the host may assign each guest to a seat. By allocating seats, the seating arrangements may be of a sort which shows the status of those present.

ATTENTION!  In a formal dinner, it is customary for the host to pick up Chopsticks first to start the dinner. Also, a pair of serving chopsticks should always be used for giving out food at a meal.

·        MEALS HAVE MEANING.   On a Chinese dining table, the delicious dishes exceed your expectations: What is true of etiquette is no less true of how dishes are served in China- cold dishes are served as appetizers at the beginning, then a few vegetarian or meat dishes are served with plain rice, after that a delicious soup is served. Finally, some refreshing desserts. The courses are arranged and served logically: They are also well balanced, with sweet and savory tastes all catered for.

The five thousand years of Chinese history can be appreciated at the dining table. For instance, there are dishes called "Braised Dongpo Pork hock", "Kung Pao chicken" and "Lamp shadow beef" and all these names have their respective historical meanings. There is even a soup called "Pearl, Jadeite and White jade soup" a name given by Zhu Yuanzhang, the first Emperor of the Ming Dynasty to a soup made of leftover rice, green vegetables and Tofu. Such traditional and poetic names of the dishes give you a sense of history at a dining table. So, the next time you taste a traditional Chinese meal, you may want to ask for the name and the history behind the meal if there is any.

·        RESPECT THE CUSTOMS!   There are also interesting dining customs that are observed. For instance Chinese people do not start a meal when there are only three or seven dishes served, because in ancient times, the condemned criminals usually had three dishes before their execution, and similarly a funeral banquet usually had seven dishes.

Even today, some traditional coastal people still believe that when one side of a fish has been finished, the other side must not be damaged while it is turned over. Otherwise, it has the connotation that their boats will capsize.

On the whole, some of these table demands and 

etiquette may seem strict and unfamiliar to any foreigner but with time we learn, we adjust and we appreciate, for these are the tiny bits that makes dining in China or with Chinese people interesting. The presence of traditional customs on the Chinese dinner table is in fact more important "seasoning" than ginger, garlic or scallion, and you only need a little to bring out the true flavor of Chinese dining!!!

AfriqAsia Merge....

                              .......Bridging the gap,  embracing the difference.