Vila was a sweet visiting student from humble village roots far from Jinan. It is a curious practice in the Chinese university system that invites students to take classes at another university somewhere in China (and sometimes Asia) for 1 or 2 semesters. Students bop all over the place. I had 3 incredible students from South Korea. The Korean students' English was always superior to their Chinese peers. Real home-sickness is not uncommon among freshmen students.
"As is know to all, nostalgia is a recurrent them in Chinese poetry. Most of us, especially the foreign readers of translated versions of Chinese poetry, may well be taken aback --or even put off-- by the frequency, as well as the sentimentality, of the lament for home. Actually, to understand the strength of the sentiment, we need to know that it has been deep-rooted and profound over the ages.
"To begin with, in ancient times, transportation and communication were largely limited and people were greatly isolated by mountains and rivers. Once separated, reunions seemed far from coming. Although they had thousands of words, few letters could be delivered. For this reason, even letters from homeland ere worth their weight in gold. Drifting on strong lands alone, poets were inclined to recall happy memories of their family members and hometowns at the sight of familiar scenes, especially when they were seriously ill and severely frustrated. And on holidays, they often found themselves drowned in great homesickness, In this case, nostalgic poetry seems the best embodiment of their loneliness and longing for home.
"In the second place, the Chinese desire for stability and rootedness in place is prompted by constant threat of war, exile, and the natural disasters of flood and drought. Compared with natural calamities and man-made misfortunes, human beings seemed so insignificant and powerless. Have you ever seen the movie 1942? Actually, I have seen it twice. From the hero's perspective, even dying closer to one's hometown is a kind of consolation. As a prevailing Chinese old saying puts it, if dead people can't be buried in their ancestry graves, their should will wander aimlessly all the time just like ghosts. In other words, it's the forcible removal that makes the Chinese keenly aware of their loss and the importance of their homeland.
"Finally, it is the feeling of relaxation, warmth and sincerity that makes our longing for home ever-lasting. Faced with fierce competitions, people are not isolated by distances by mistrust and jealousy. In this case, home is not a place to protect us from heavy rains and strong winds, but also a place to ease our minds and cure our wounds. That is the place where our beloved ones live in and our in exhaustive motivation comes from. That's the reason why so many people can endure all manner of difficulties and fight their way home. That's the reason for the emerging of the so called Chinese Spring Festival Travel Rush, the greatest temporary migration in human history.
"In a nutshell, Chinese nostalgia may be expressed in different shapes in different times, while the essence is the enduring."
Monday, July 28, 2014
Monday, July 21, 2014
Chinese-style
Cerina was by far one of our best female students with a sharp sense of humor. Her presentation gave us a peek inside Chinese culture known mostly to the natives. You see and learn a lot about a culture living within it for a good stretch of time. But there is a unique native perspective and that always surprises visitors, especially in China.
The term :Chinese style: became popular about eight years ago thanks to a television series called Chinese Style Divorce which depicted how couples were entangled in three kinds of betrayals: mental betrayal, physical betrayal or mental/physical betrayal.
Chinese-style Road Crossing: Whether the light is red or green, al long as a handful of people are gathered together, they'll cross the road as a "flock." One can only count on being safe crossing at a Chinese intersection if one is walking in the flock.
Chinese-style school pick-up: God to any primary or even secondary school when school breaks and witness the chaos created by the quantity of parents waiting at the gate. Listen to the noise generated by the crowd as well as the variety of bicycles, motorbikes, and tricycles used by the parents. Even the busiest bazaar an't beat it. Note: Parents carry one or two children on their bicycles or motorbikes in the most precarious, hazardous fashion, which would be illegal in any western country and probably deserving of jail time.
Chinese-style tricks for curbing traffic jams: Limiting the time period and the areas in which one is allowed to travel by car. Limiting the amount of cars sold. Limiting car use depending on whether one's license plate is odd or even. Auctioning license plate numbers.
Chinese-style blind dates: The girls show up with their mothers. THe mother's job is to make detailed inquiries into whether or not the candidate for marriage has some real savings in his bank account, a car, a house.
Chinese-style gift-giving: A peculiar "collective movement" one week before the Chinese New Year or during major events such as the Moon Festival or the Boat Festival. People are so busy delivering present to their relative, and of course also to government officials, that the roads are chock-a-block. Note: Chinese gifts are among the most elaborately packaged gifts on the planet. Yards of satin, bows, shiny paper and layers of boxes within boxes. Not being tea-drinkers or moon cake fans, we re-gifted a lot, much to the delight of our landlady, the cafeteria cooks and whoever else we could find.
Chinese-style food safety: Melamine-enriched infant milk. Poisonous rice. Clenbuterol-fed pork. Dyed buns. Recycle cooking oil that come from the gutter… This is all to blame on the economy, of course.
Chinese-style politico: The "three-must-haves" for any public official: a mistress, a secret bank account, and a getaway mansion. The more of each of these items, the better.
Chinese-style suicide: A prominent feature of the 'Chinese-style suicide' is the most of Chinese suicide victims did not kill themselves because they were mentally ill. Instead, they committed suicide mainly because of their families' economic problems and the traditional Chinese outlook on life: laying down one's life for justice.
China's government is determined to tackle these problems. If you come to China in ten years or so you ma find totally different Chinese-styles.
The term :Chinese style: became popular about eight years ago thanks to a television series called Chinese Style Divorce which depicted how couples were entangled in three kinds of betrayals: mental betrayal, physical betrayal or mental/physical betrayal.
Chinese-style Road Crossing: Whether the light is red or green, al long as a handful of people are gathered together, they'll cross the road as a "flock." One can only count on being safe crossing at a Chinese intersection if one is walking in the flock.
Chinese-style school pick-up: God to any primary or even secondary school when school breaks and witness the chaos created by the quantity of parents waiting at the gate. Listen to the noise generated by the crowd as well as the variety of bicycles, motorbikes, and tricycles used by the parents. Even the busiest bazaar an't beat it. Note: Parents carry one or two children on their bicycles or motorbikes in the most precarious, hazardous fashion, which would be illegal in any western country and probably deserving of jail time.
Chinese-style tricks for curbing traffic jams: Limiting the time period and the areas in which one is allowed to travel by car. Limiting the amount of cars sold. Limiting car use depending on whether one's license plate is odd or even. Auctioning license plate numbers.
Chinese-style blind dates: The girls show up with their mothers. THe mother's job is to make detailed inquiries into whether or not the candidate for marriage has some real savings in his bank account, a car, a house.
Chinese-style gift-giving: A peculiar "collective movement" one week before the Chinese New Year or during major events such as the Moon Festival or the Boat Festival. People are so busy delivering present to their relative, and of course also to government officials, that the roads are chock-a-block. Note: Chinese gifts are among the most elaborately packaged gifts on the planet. Yards of satin, bows, shiny paper and layers of boxes within boxes. Not being tea-drinkers or moon cake fans, we re-gifted a lot, much to the delight of our landlady, the cafeteria cooks and whoever else we could find.
Chinese-style food safety: Melamine-enriched infant milk. Poisonous rice. Clenbuterol-fed pork. Dyed buns. Recycle cooking oil that come from the gutter… This is all to blame on the economy, of course.
Chinese-style politico: The "three-must-haves" for any public official: a mistress, a secret bank account, and a getaway mansion. The more of each of these items, the better.
Chinese-style suicide: A prominent feature of the 'Chinese-style suicide' is the most of Chinese suicide victims did not kill themselves because they were mentally ill. Instead, they committed suicide mainly because of their families' economic problems and the traditional Chinese outlook on life: laying down one's life for justice.
China's government is determined to tackle these problems. If you come to China in ten years or so you ma find totally different Chinese-styles.
Monday, July 14, 2014
Chinese Tea Culture
I don't drink classic tea, particularly caffeinated teas; but I'm imbibe an herbal tea now and then. But I learned from our students that hot water is also called tea. Boiling hot water dispensaries are everywhere on campus because one can not drink the water in China. Freshman student, Emma, gave a good information about Chinese tea culture even though she struggled with it. I prefer to see students give honest, personally prepared presentations rather than copy something perfectly scripted from the Internet just to save face.
Chinese people are believed to have enjoyed tea drinking for more than 4,000 years. Legend has it that tea was first discovered by Shennog, who was tasting hundreds of herbal medicines to fast their medicinal power. Since then, tea was originally used for detoxification and mean to be chewed in the mouth. Later, people began to eat it with water In Han dynasty, Chinese people gained a wealth of experience, including different tea species, baking skills, infusing, water selection, tea sets and so on; initially forming a set of tea drinking customs.
Tea as a drink prepared during the Tang Dynasty. In Song dynasty, tea became a popular drink. You can see tea houses everywhere. Someone worked in the house was called tea doctor. New skills created many different ways to enjoy tea. During Ming and Qing dynasty, drinking tea had been an elegant hobby so that many literati like drinking and talking tea to show off themselves. There is a saying that literati drink tea, warriors drink wine.
How does the teach make? First is withering. After people put off the leaves, they evenly place them in house to make leaves dry. The new leaves must be parched in tea cauldrons. Then is rolling and chopped. This step make the smell of tea out of the leaves and easily volatilize when people drinking it. The last step is ferment. It takes four pounds of fresh tea leaves to produce one pound of parched Chinese tea. Different steps decide different species of tea, including black tea, green tea, white tea, yellow tea and dark green tea. In addition, China has many kinds of tea, the most representative are the China top ten famous teas.
Tea is a healthy drink which has anti-aging, prolong life and physical effects. It can refresh you when you are tired. It is also good for eyes and teeth. Whats more, tea can prevent cancer and reduce radiation.
About how to drink tea, this formed tea arts. Different tea has different arts. For example, Oolong tea art has 36 steps. So, someone calls Chinese tea as Gongfu tea. If you have a chance, you really should see the tea show. You can see tea doctor use long spout of the teapot to pour. It is interesting and amazing. Chinese say tea drinks like life.
Tea Culture Photos
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g294211-i642-k4835748-Tea_Ceremony_Scam_Shanghai-China.htmlShanghai Tea Ceremony SCAM
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| Tea Garden in China |
Chinese people are believed to have enjoyed tea drinking for more than 4,000 years. Legend has it that tea was first discovered by Shennog, who was tasting hundreds of herbal medicines to fast their medicinal power. Since then, tea was originally used for detoxification and mean to be chewed in the mouth. Later, people began to eat it with water In Han dynasty, Chinese people gained a wealth of experience, including different tea species, baking skills, infusing, water selection, tea sets and so on; initially forming a set of tea drinking customs.
Tea as a drink prepared during the Tang Dynasty. In Song dynasty, tea became a popular drink. You can see tea houses everywhere. Someone worked in the house was called tea doctor. New skills created many different ways to enjoy tea. During Ming and Qing dynasty, drinking tea had been an elegant hobby so that many literati like drinking and talking tea to show off themselves. There is a saying that literati drink tea, warriors drink wine.
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| Tea plant |
How does the teach make? First is withering. After people put off the leaves, they evenly place them in house to make leaves dry. The new leaves must be parched in tea cauldrons. Then is rolling and chopped. This step make the smell of tea out of the leaves and easily volatilize when people drinking it. The last step is ferment. It takes four pounds of fresh tea leaves to produce one pound of parched Chinese tea. Different steps decide different species of tea, including black tea, green tea, white tea, yellow tea and dark green tea. In addition, China has many kinds of tea, the most representative are the China top ten famous teas.
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| Oolong tea being infused in a gaiwan |
Tea is a healthy drink which has anti-aging, prolong life and physical effects. It can refresh you when you are tired. It is also good for eyes and teeth. Whats more, tea can prevent cancer and reduce radiation.
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| A tea plantation |
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| Leaves of tea plant |
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| Tea of different fermentation prepared, in cups: green tea, yellow tea, oolong and black |
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| Tea set |
Tea Culture Photos
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g294211-i642-k4835748-Tea_Ceremony_Scam_Shanghai-China.htmlShanghai Tea Ceremony SCAM
Tuesday, July 8, 2014
Chinese Table Manners
Now that you have your chopsticks well in hand, it's time to get the rest of your Chinese dining ettiqutte down pat. Food is huge in China. Our students list "delicious food" as their first delight. But in a culture that has favored delicious food for several thousand years, there's bound to be a few rules attached; especially in a society where appearances and decorum matter very much. I'll let Leslie, Olive and Cheris tell the rest of the story.
ROUND DINING TABLE
A round dining table is more popular in China than a rectangular or square one since many people can be seated comfortably facing each other. Seating arrangement is most important part of CHinese dining etiquette. In ancient times it was enacted according to a 4-tier social status: 1. imperial court, 2. local authorities, 3. trade associations, 4. farmers & workers. Respect in modern times is simplified to: 1.master of the banquet, 2. guests. Seat of honor is reserved for master of banquets or guest with highest status or most aged and that person is one who always faces east or facing entrance. In China, left is the sign of being respectable; so, the host can take the seat beside The Big, or sit opposite The Big, and next to the door. Why' that? Obviously it's convenient to pay the bill. Those with high social position sit closer to master of banquet and lower positions sit furthest from the seat of honor.
Guest of honor should be first one to start the meal. The best food in a dish should be left for the guest of honor.
LIE TO ME!
Unlike the West where everyone has their own play of food, in China the dishes are placed on the table and everybody shares. Sometimes the host will serve some dishes with his/her own chopsticks to guest to show hospitality. This is a sign of politeness.
If the dinner is held in the host's family and the meal is cooked by the beautiful hostess, then when she serves the dishes and told you she's very sorry that the soup today is not so tasty, or the beef is a little bit over-fried, and if you believe she really thinks that way, alright, you may be out of her list next time. The appropriate thing to do would be to eat whatever-it-is and say how yummy it is. If you feel uncomfortable with this, you can just say a polite "thank you" and leave the food there.
Never try to turn a fish over yourself, since the separation of the fish skeleton from the lower half of flesh will usually be performed by the host or waiter. Superstitious people deem bad luck with ensue and a fishing boat will capsize if you do so. This is especially true to southerners in China.
As Chinese food contains meat with bones, so it's OK to spit the bones on the plates or table.
THE TOAST
Eating is dominate aspect of Chinese culture, and eating out is a most common way to honor guests. Similar to westerners, eating together in China is way to socialize and deepen friendships. No matter at home or restaurant, there are many eating manners that one must pay attention to. There are rules for inviting guest over. When guest of honor enters into room, hosts stand until the guest of honor is seated. The host then orders dishes brought and the guest should be silent. When dishes arrive, the meal begins with a toast from host, and guests then make a toast in turn in honor or host.
ROUND DINING TABLE
A round dining table is more popular in China than a rectangular or square one since many people can be seated comfortably facing each other. Seating arrangement is most important part of CHinese dining etiquette. In ancient times it was enacted according to a 4-tier social status: 1. imperial court, 2. local authorities, 3. trade associations, 4. farmers & workers. Respect in modern times is simplified to: 1.master of the banquet, 2. guests. Seat of honor is reserved for master of banquets or guest with highest status or most aged and that person is one who always faces east or facing entrance. In China, left is the sign of being respectable; so, the host can take the seat beside The Big, or sit opposite The Big, and next to the door. Why' that? Obviously it's convenient to pay the bill. Those with high social position sit closer to master of banquet and lower positions sit furthest from the seat of honor.
Guest of honor should be first one to start the meal. The best food in a dish should be left for the guest of honor.
LIE TO ME!
Unlike the West where everyone has their own play of food, in China the dishes are placed on the table and everybody shares. Sometimes the host will serve some dishes with his/her own chopsticks to guest to show hospitality. This is a sign of politeness.
If the dinner is held in the host's family and the meal is cooked by the beautiful hostess, then when she serves the dishes and told you she's very sorry that the soup today is not so tasty, or the beef is a little bit over-fried, and if you believe she really thinks that way, alright, you may be out of her list next time. The appropriate thing to do would be to eat whatever-it-is and say how yummy it is. If you feel uncomfortable with this, you can just say a polite "thank you" and leave the food there.
Never try to turn a fish over yourself, since the separation of the fish skeleton from the lower half of flesh will usually be performed by the host or waiter. Superstitious people deem bad luck with ensue and a fishing boat will capsize if you do so. This is especially true to southerners in China.
As Chinese food contains meat with bones, so it's OK to spit the bones on the plates or table.
THE TOAST
Men, women and children participate in the custom of toasting. During the 1st toast of the night, all stand. The toaster may say "gan bei" (dry glass) which is like the western "bottoms up" and all are expected to finish the entire drink. If the beverage is not baijiu then gan bei is not said; rather, "thank you for coming" or something similar is said. All are expected to clink their glasses with other guest within reach. Women & children do not normally drink alcohol but still participate in the toast with what they have. Anyone can propose a toast. If you are too far from the person you want toast, then tap your cup or glass to get attention; don't raise your voice. And when you toast someone superior to you like a teacher or elder, you are supposed to let the rime of your glass tap lower than the rim of their glass to show respect.
TOOTHPICK ETIQUETTE
Unlike the many western nations, a hand must be placed over the mouth while using toothpick to conceal the action. Not doing so is considered rude. Used toothpicks should be placed on your bowl or plate that you do not intend to use again. Never should be left on tablecloth for a waitress to have to pick up, nor thrown on the floor. Such throwing is rude on floor is rude to restaurant or host and putting on tablecloth is inconsiderate to servers.
TEAPOT TABOOS
…One should not point teapot spout directly at others as this is same as using the finger to point at somebody, which is very impute and also means that this person is not welcome in the house. Obviously, at circular table, the teapot mouth must point at someone, but it is not supposed to point directly to the person on the left or right of the teapot. Across a table does not count, so it is fine.
… When pouring tea for other, hold teapot with right hand and press lid with other hand to show honor and sedateness. If you are getting teach for yourself, make sure to ask other first if they would like some more tea. Then serve yourself after you have served them. Using teach to force the visitor out, there was a rule in Qing Dynasty's officialdom as "the tea that given by the boss shouldn't be taken." So if the boss give tea to his subordinate by his own hand, which is given by a servant, that means he is impatient to the subordinate, and the subordinate should leave immediately. If the boss is visiting the subordinate house, the subordinate must not give the tea to the boss by his own hands, either because that's very impolite and means to force the visitor out.
… If you are not pouring your own tea, but at a restaurant where the service is attentive, in the region of south CHina (especially Canton and Hong Kong) the one who gets the tea uses the knuckles of first and middle fingers to tap the table 2 or 3 times to show thankfulness. This looks similar to knocking on a door, but don't knock as heavily as if it were a door. It is a tap, not a knock; the motion resembles a knock.
… When the teach runs out and requires more hot water, you may leave the life ajar but still on the teapot -- this is a signal for attendant to refill it. Do not entirely remove the lid and place it on table. The lid touching the table is allowing good luck to escape, and also the table might be dirty. Do not leave a teapot with lid ajar in middle of table. It should be toward the side of table so that the attendant may refill it without rehang across patrons in an invasive/taking manner.
THE BILL
In most restaurants in Chinese countries, there is not tip required unless it is posted, and will already be on the bill. Guests should not truly 'split the bill' with the host. A gust who splits the bill is very ungracious and embarrassing to the host. If you do not accept the host paying for the bill, it is implying that the host cannot afford it or you do not accept the friendship or hospitality of host. However, it is expected for the guest to offer to pay for the meal multiple times, but ultimately allow the host to pay. It is also unacceptable to not make any attempt to "fight for" the bill. Not fighting for the bill means you think that the host owes that meal to you somehow. Therefore, if you are the guest, always fight for the bill but never win it on the first meal in your host's hometown. After the first meal at your host's hometown, and sometime before you leave, it is customary to bring the host's family to a meal out to thank them for your stay if you did not bring initial small present for them when you arrived. For that meal, you may pay but you must request your host's attendance and cooperation with allowing you to cover that particular meal.
If you and an acquaintance are on a business trip, it is acceptable to split the bill, but more common to rotate who pays for the meal, with meals of similar cost. Though it is a rotation, here is still the same mock-fight for the bill. The difference is that you may say, "Fine fine, since you are my elder, this is fine this time, but the next meal, I cover." Or something to that effect and pay for the next meal. This rotation does not have to be a meal necessarily. For example, you may rotate a meal and a game of golf. The key to the rotation being viewed as acceptable or not, is the enjoyment both parties actually get from the activity and the approximate cost. Golf would not be an acceptable oration of the other person does not enjoy golf, is rather bad at it while you are excellent at it, etc.
TOOTHPICK ETIQUETTE
Unlike the many western nations, a hand must be placed over the mouth while using toothpick to conceal the action. Not doing so is considered rude. Used toothpicks should be placed on your bowl or plate that you do not intend to use again. Never should be left on tablecloth for a waitress to have to pick up, nor thrown on the floor. Such throwing is rude on floor is rude to restaurant or host and putting on tablecloth is inconsiderate to servers.
TEAPOT TABOOS
…One should not point teapot spout directly at others as this is same as using the finger to point at somebody, which is very impute and also means that this person is not welcome in the house. Obviously, at circular table, the teapot mouth must point at someone, but it is not supposed to point directly to the person on the left or right of the teapot. Across a table does not count, so it is fine.
… When pouring tea for other, hold teapot with right hand and press lid with other hand to show honor and sedateness. If you are getting teach for yourself, make sure to ask other first if they would like some more tea. Then serve yourself after you have served them. Using teach to force the visitor out, there was a rule in Qing Dynasty's officialdom as "the tea that given by the boss shouldn't be taken." So if the boss give tea to his subordinate by his own hand, which is given by a servant, that means he is impatient to the subordinate, and the subordinate should leave immediately. If the boss is visiting the subordinate house, the subordinate must not give the tea to the boss by his own hands, either because that's very impolite and means to force the visitor out.
… If you are not pouring your own tea, but at a restaurant where the service is attentive, in the region of south CHina (especially Canton and Hong Kong) the one who gets the tea uses the knuckles of first and middle fingers to tap the table 2 or 3 times to show thankfulness. This looks similar to knocking on a door, but don't knock as heavily as if it were a door. It is a tap, not a knock; the motion resembles a knock.
… When the teach runs out and requires more hot water, you may leave the life ajar but still on the teapot -- this is a signal for attendant to refill it. Do not entirely remove the lid and place it on table. The lid touching the table is allowing good luck to escape, and also the table might be dirty. Do not leave a teapot with lid ajar in middle of table. It should be toward the side of table so that the attendant may refill it without rehang across patrons in an invasive/taking manner.
THE BILL
In most restaurants in Chinese countries, there is not tip required unless it is posted, and will already be on the bill. Guests should not truly 'split the bill' with the host. A gust who splits the bill is very ungracious and embarrassing to the host. If you do not accept the host paying for the bill, it is implying that the host cannot afford it or you do not accept the friendship or hospitality of host. However, it is expected for the guest to offer to pay for the meal multiple times, but ultimately allow the host to pay. It is also unacceptable to not make any attempt to "fight for" the bill. Not fighting for the bill means you think that the host owes that meal to you somehow. Therefore, if you are the guest, always fight for the bill but never win it on the first meal in your host's hometown. After the first meal at your host's hometown, and sometime before you leave, it is customary to bring the host's family to a meal out to thank them for your stay if you did not bring initial small present for them when you arrived. For that meal, you may pay but you must request your host's attendance and cooperation with allowing you to cover that particular meal.
If you and an acquaintance are on a business trip, it is acceptable to split the bill, but more common to rotate who pays for the meal, with meals of similar cost. Though it is a rotation, here is still the same mock-fight for the bill. The difference is that you may say, "Fine fine, since you are my elder, this is fine this time, but the next meal, I cover." Or something to that effect and pay for the next meal. This rotation does not have to be a meal necessarily. For example, you may rotate a meal and a game of golf. The key to the rotation being viewed as acceptable or not, is the enjoyment both parties actually get from the activity and the approximate cost. Golf would not be an acceptable oration of the other person does not enjoy golf, is rather bad at it while you are excellent at it, etc.
Wednesday, July 2, 2014
Chopsticks
It is our custom in a school canteen/cafeteria to look for someone to eat with; anyone, stranger or friend. Quite often our lunch partner would ask me, "How long have you been in China?" There would always be a look of surprise to learn the short time we'd been in China because my command of chopsticks seemed so natural and skilled. Even John, who struggled at first, got the hang of it and looks comfortable using chopsticks. It's one thing to know how to use chopsticks and quite another to use them properly in public. One is judged on one's chopstick etiquette, even though uninformed foreigners are given a small measure of forgiveness. I have to admit, I was guilty of a few chopstick faux pas before I got educated. It's natural for people like me who speak with their hands, to 'speak' with their chopsticks during dinner conversation….oops.
Both Cheris and Olive gave presentations about chopsticks. They set us straight and made us better Chinese guests.
In Chinese cuisine, food is cooked in bite-sized pieces and easy to hold and eat. Therefore, chopsticks are used at the table instead of forks and knives. There are some rules for correct use of chopsticks that are suggested you follow to make your stay in China happier, though you will be forgiven if you have no idea of what they are:
Both Cheris and Olive gave presentations about chopsticks. They set us straight and made us better Chinese guests.
In Chinese cuisine, food is cooked in bite-sized pieces and easy to hold and eat. Therefore, chopsticks are used at the table instead of forks and knives. There are some rules for correct use of chopsticks that are suggested you follow to make your stay in China happier, though you will be forgiven if you have no idea of what they are:
- Never stick or leave your chopsticks upright in the bowl of rice. This resembles ritual incense burning and implies feeding the dead and death in general. Thus, it is deemed extremely impolite to the host and seniors present.
- Do not tap on your bowl. Beggars tap on their bowls to attract attention, and also, when the food is coming too slow in a restaurant, people will tap their bowls which insults the host or the cook.
- Treat chopsticks as extension of your fingers. It is impolite to use them to point at other people or wave them around.
- Do not impale food with chopsticks.
- It doesn't matter if you hold chopsticks in the middle or at the end, but you should make sure the ends are even.
- Do not chew the ends of chopsticks or pick teeth. They are likely going to be washed and reused.
- Chopsticks are not used to move bowls or plates.
- One should not 'dig' or 'search' through one's food for something in particular. This is sometimes known as "digging one's grave" or "grave-digging" and is extremely poor manners.
- When eating rice from a bowl, it is normal to hold the rice bowl up to one's mouth and use chopsticks to push or shovel the rice directly into the mouth.
- It is considered poor etiquette to point rested chopsticks towards others seated the table.
- Resting chopsticks at the top of the bowl means "I'm finished." Resting chopsticks on the side of one's bowl or on a chopstick stand signifies one is merely taking a break from eating.
- Chopsticks should not be used upside-down. However, it is acceptable to use them backwards to stir or transfer the food to another plate if the person does not intend to eat it and there are no serving chopsticks.
- Holding chopsticks incorrectly will reflect badly on a child's parent, who have the responsibility to teaching their children.
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