《中国人行为.docVIP

Chinese table manners Generally, Chinese table manners are more informal than the West, although there are more rules concerning interactions with other guests due to high levels of social interaction as a result of the communal style of serving. Chopstick usage Chopsticks should always be held correctly, i.e. between the thumb and first two fingers of the right hand. When not in use, chopsticks must always be placed neatly on the table with two sticks lying tidily next to each other at both ends. Never point the chopsticks at another person. This amounts to insulting that person and is a major faux pas. Never wave your chopsticks around as if they were an extension of your hand gestures. Never bang chopsticks like drumsticks. This is akin to telling others at the table you are a beggar. Never suck the chopsticks. Decide what to pick up before reaching with chopsticks, instead of hovering them over or rummaging through dishes. To keep chopsticks off the table, they can be rested horizontally on ones plate or bowl; a chopstick rest (commonly found in restaurants) can also be used. When picking up a piece of food, never use the tips of your chopsticks to penetrate the food as with a fork; exceptions include tearing apart larger items such as vegetables. In more informal settings, smaller items or those more difficult to pick up such as cherry tomatoes or fishballs may be stabbed, but this is frowned upon by traditionalists. Never stab chopsticks vertically into a bowl of rice, as this resembles incense sticks used at temples to pay respects to the deceased. This is considered the ultimate dinner table faux pas. Communal chopsticks When there are communal chopsticks, it is considered impolite to use your own chopsticks to pick up the food from the shared plate, or to eat using the communal chopsticks. It is considered impolite to use the blunt end of ones own chopsticks to transfer food from a common dish to ones own plate or bowl; use the communal chops