A typical Chinese dining table is round or square,the dishes are placed in the center of the table and each person at the table finds him/herself with a bowl for fan,chopsticks,a saucer and a spoon.The dishes are shared by all and must be treated as a common property,whereas the fan bowl is considered private,as it comes in contact with the mouth.The chopsticks work in between the two.
The host usually signals when it is appropriate to start eating,after each person has taken rice and picked up chopsticks.The guests usually start eating by taking food from the common plates and placing it in one bowl and then raising the bowl up to the mouth and pushing in the food.A guest who does the opposite will be insults the hosts directly.Sucking or chewing on the chopsticks is also considered poor manners.
------------
Different countries have different eating habits.The Chinese have a saying “Good things for breakfast.Eating a big meal for lunch but eating less at dinner.” Many Americans agree that one should start the day with a good breakfast,but their ideas about lunch and dinner are different.
Most Americans only give themselves a short time for lunch.So they eat a small lunch.After work they will have more time to eat a big dinner.Also a quiet dinner at home with all family talking about their day is a way to take a good rest after a long,hard day of work.
Eating at restaurant is also different.In China,people like to talk and laugh while eating.Very often you can hear people talking and laughing loudly,and they are just having a good time.In America it is not like this.They want a quiet place where they can eat a good meal.If someone is talking too loudly,the manager of the restaurant may come out and ask them to be quiet.
