Chinese food culture: respect to guests and elder people
China is known as a country that pays great attention to courtesy, and its cuisine culture has deep roots in the China’s history. Being a visitor or just a guest in either a Chinese home or any restaurant you will discover the peculiar courtesies.
It is really an outstanding custom to respect others at the table, and first of all, aged, teachers and guests while taking good care of children.
Chinese people pay great attention to filial piety all the time. For many generations people used to present the best or fine food first to the senior members of the family. Even in ancient times the common poor people still dud their best to help the elder mother or father who took it for granted.
Hosts in this country are all friendly and hospitable, but the guest should also show respect. Guests should not start eating until the host says, something like ‘Please enjoy yourself’, or it may be a sign of disrespect and causes displeasure.
The culture of laying the table assumes that the main courses will be at the center with the supporting dishes evenly placed around them. When the main dishes are cooked in a decorative manner either by cut or other means they will be placed facing the main guests and elder people at the table.