Chinese Dining Customs and Etiquette

culture · manners · food · traditions

Seating matters. The most important guest sits facing the door and gets the best seat at the table. The host usually sits with their back to the door to keep watch over their guests.

Chopsticks have rules. You should never stick chopsticks straight up in rice because it looks like a funeral ritual in Chinese culture. When you're not using them, rest them on the table or a chopstick holder.

Lazy Susan etiquette. When food is on a rotating turntable in the center of the table, you wait for the host to start turning it. Never reach across someone else, and always turn it toward you.

Toast traditions. When someone raises their glass for a toast, you should raise yours too and make eye contact. It's polite to drink a little bit after each toast to show respect.

Paying the bill. The host almost always pays for the meal as a sign of hospitality. It's considered rude to split the bill or insist on paying when you're a guest.