(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.
