Shared meals are an important part of professional and social life in China. Knowing a few basic table manners helps you feel at ease and shows respect for local customs.

1. Seating – A Sign of Courtesy

• The host usually guides guests to their seats. If a specific seat is suggested for you, simply take it.

• In many cases, the seat facing the door is considered the main seat, often offered to a guest of honour or an older person. But don't worry if you are placed elsewhere – it is not a strict rule, just a polite gesture.

If you want to learn more useful Chinese phrases for daily interactions, check out our guide: Master Chinese Greetings Easily: For Foreign Teachers Living & Working in China.

2. Chopstick Basics – Simple Habits

Do's

• Hold chopsticks near the top, not too low.

• Rest them on a chopstick rest or on the edge of your bowl when not eating.

Don'ts

• Stick chopsticks upright into a bowl of rice.

• Point at people with chopsticks.

• Use your own chopsticks to pick food from shared dishes – use the serving chopsticks (公筷) if provided.

• Tap chopsticks on the bowl – it is considered rude.

3. Starting the Meal – Follow the Host

• It is common to wait until the host says something like “请慢用” (Please enjoy) or picks up their chopsticks first. In casual settings, everyone may simply start together.

• If you are unsure, just watch what others do and follow along.

4. Sharing Dishes – A Communal Style

• Most meals are served as several shared dishes. Take food from the side of the dish, not from the “front” facing others.

• Take only what you can eat – leaving a large amount of untouched food on your plate is considered wasteful.

• If a second serving is needed, use the serving utensil again.

5. Drinking and Toasting – Friendly Gestures

• When toasting, you may hold your glass slightly lower than someone older or more senior as a small sign of respect. In many casual meals, people do not pay close attention to this.

• Clink glasses gently and say “干杯” (gān bēi – bottoms up) only if you intend to finish your drink. Otherwise, just sip.

• A common custom is to pour drinks for others before pouring for yourself. Someone will likely pour for you in return.

6. What to Avoid at the Table

• Do not dig through shared dishes looking for a specific piece – take what is nearest to you on top.

• Do not suck on chopsticks or put them in your mouth for no reason.

• Do not pick your teeth without covering your mouth with your other hand.

• Avoid answering a phone call at the table unless it is urgent. If you must, step away briefly.

7. Ending the Meal – Polite Gestures

• There is no strict rule about leaving food on your plate. In the past, finishing everything might have implied the host did not provide enough, but today many people clear their plates to avoid waste. The best approach is to take only what you need and eat until you are comfortably full. If you are full, leaving a small amount is fine.

• Thank the host by saying “谢谢款待” (xièxie kuǎndài – thank you for the feast).

• Offering to help clear the table is a nice gesture – the host will usually decline, but the thought is appreciated.

Dining is just one part of cultural integration. Explore more in: Life in China: Practical Social Hacks for Foreign Teachers.

If you have other aspects of Chinese culture you would like to see covered in the Explore China column, feel free to suggest them.