The Importance of Living by Dr. Lin Yutang was once the best-selling book in America in 1938. In this book, he explains why Chinese don’t think it is a big deal to make noises when eating. Read it with a sense of humor:
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Tag Archives: Table Manners
The Chinese Table Manners
April 11, 2008 – 5:55 pm
When you eat with Chinese people, the general rule of thumb is: just enjoy your food and don’t worry too much about the table manners. Still, the following tips may prove helpful when you are in China:
- It is quite alright to smack the lips or make “noises” when eating.
- Use two hands when passing things to other people (such as dishes or cups).
- Nobody licks the fingers. Chinese never lick their fingers.
- Don’t stick the chopsticks upright inside the bowl of rice (it is a funeral ritual).
- You can lift the bowl up and eat from it. This avoids dropping the rice on the table.
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