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The main difference on the Chinese dining table is chopsticks instead of
knife and fork, but that is only superficial. Besides, in decent
restaurants, you can always ask for a pair of knife and fork, if you
find the chopsticks not helpful enough. The real difference is that in
the West, you have your own plate of food, while in China the dishes are
placed on the table and everyone shares. If you are being treated to a
formal dinner and particularly if the host thinks you are in the country
for the first time, he will do the best to give you a taste of many
different types of dishes.
The meal usually begins with a set of at least four cold dishes, to be
followed by the main courses of hot meat and vegetable dishes. Soup then
will be served to be followed by staple food ranging from rice, noodles
to dumplings. If you wish to have your rice to go with other dishes, you
should say so in right time, for most of the Chinese choose to have the
staple food at last or have none of them at all.
Perhaps one of the things that surprises a Western visitor most is that
some of the Chinese hosts like to put food into the plates of their
guests. In formal dinners, there are always a pair of public chopsticks
and spoons for this purpose, but some hosts may use their own
chopsticks. This is a sign of genuine friendship and politeness. It is
always polite to eat the food. If you do not want to finish it, just
leave the food in the plate.
People in China tend to order food excessively as they consider it as
embarrassing if all the food is consumed. When you have had enough, just
say so. Or you will be feed continuously.
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