1、The Diferences Between Chinese if so, toke it our and put it on your side plate.,The Soup CourseDinner usually begins with soup. The largest spoon at your place is the soup spoon. It will be beside your plate at the right-hand side.,The Fish Course If there is a fish course, it will probably follow

2、the soup. There may be a special fork for the fish, or it may be similar to the meat fork. Often it is smaller.,The Meat CourseThe main Course is usually served by the host himself, especially if it is a fowl or a roast which need to be carved. He will often ask each guest what piece he prefers, and

3、 it is quite proper to state your preference as to lean or fat, dark or light.,Helping Yourself and RefusingIf a servant passes food around, he will pass the dish in at your left hand so that you can conveniently serve yourself with your right hand. Never serve yourself while the dish is on your rig

4、ht; it is then the turn of your neighbor on the right. It is polite to take some of everything that is passed to you. But if there is something you may not like, you may quietly say: No thank you.,Various rules and SuggestionsSit up straight on your chair! Do not put much food in your mouth at a tim

5、e! Drink only when there is no food in your mouth! Do not make any nose when you eat! Do not clean your teeth at the table or anywhere in public!,Manners in China,Spitting Out the Bones In China it is common to spit things out on the table or the floor. Often food has small pieces of bone or other i

6、nedible parts that need to be removed from the mouth. Using chopsticks, a hand or a tissue is a polite way around the problem.,Touching Tables Though in the West it is sometimes considered rude to put ones elbows on the dining table, this is quite acceptable in China, particularly when eating noodle

7、s. You however may want to avoid this in some restaurants where the table is only wiped with an old cloth and there may be some unseen residue from the previous patrons meals.,Noise and Smoking Eating noisily and with ones mouth open may be considered rude in the West. However, slurping, smacking th

8、e lips and leaving the mouth open when eating can be viewed as demonstrating enjoyment of the food and a friendly atmosphere in China. Smoking is also permitted in most Chinese restaurants. A way round this, in larger restaurants, is to request a side room for your meal, which will have its own door

9、 to insulate you from the noise and smoke.,Dessert Eating something sweet for dessert is not a Chinese custom. Sweet things can be found hidden among everything else on a Chinese menu. Fruit salads and caramel covered apple are Chinese sweet dishes that are popular with Westerners.,Drinking Beer is

10、very popular in China, but it is all very similar with none of the stronger or darker varieties brewed in the West. The other popular alcoholic drink is rice wine. Beware, this can be very strong .In China, drinking alcohol is still mainly a male custom.Male guests are routinely offered alcohol and cigarettes at meal times. Just politely refuse if you dont want them. An empty glass is always refilled, no matter about protests that the gu