Business Dining Etiquette in china cultural Expectations and Practices

Hi everyone, hope you are having a wonderful day today, welcome back to my channel! ​

I'm Yuri Ou, as in “Ohhhh kaaaay so where do I sit at the table”​

Yes, today we’re talking dining, in particular, what to expect and best practices when dining in China in a business setting. …… This is going to make me super hungry, I just know it!​

You cannot simply master your chopstick skills and assume that is the beginning and end of dining in China, though obviously good use of your chopsticks will make sure you don’t leave the restaurant hungry

While there may be slight variations across a country as large as China, there is common dining etiquette across the board, and though some details may not appear important, not adhering to these unwritten rules could ultimately cost you business and weaken relationships, so the more you know the better.

First and foremost, get there on time! That might sound universal, and there’s a fair chance the host, certainly depending on his or her status, may not arrive on time, but as a guest get there with time to spare and be prepared. ​

This is a sign of respect more than anything and demonstrates that dinner is important to you and not just another casual meal out. Typically, for a business dinner, a private room will be booked, so make sure if possible to get the room number before you arrive.​

Upon arrival, you’ll normally find a large round table that rotates, with its custom that the most senior member of the party sits furthest away from the door, and the most junior sitting nearest the door. This is to allow ease of calling for service if needed by the junior member of the party. ​

If you are the host, the two most senior members would sit either side of you as typically these would be the, well decision makers if you like, and the ones that you would likely be discussing business with. ​

And while, YES, there is nothing wrong with talking shop at the table, after all it’s why you’re there, it is also important to spend sufficient time throughout the meal sharing personal experiences and getting to know other guests, demonstrating you’re not only interested in others on a business level alone.​

In terms of ordering, the host will usually order or occasionally may delegate someone to organize this, though he or she may ask if you have any particular favourites too, in which case they pick something that they think you’ll enjoy.

The idea being that as a guest, you shouldn’t have to trouble yourself with ordering food and drinks, and normally the host will have a good knowledge of food and drinks as well as the restaurant.​

Before food is served, it is customary for guests to wash the small bowls, cups and chopsticks in their place with tea, so fill your bowl to rinse each item and then pour the tea back into the large bowl that will be on the table. ​

Once food is served, do not start until the host has started. If you add something to your plate, firstly ensure you eat it all, don’t leave anything on the plate as this may cause the host to feel as though they have made a mistake, and be sure to say thanks every time something is served. ​

If you see a dish that you like, don’t reach across the table to get it if it’s far away, rotate the table to get to it, but be sure when rotating to check and stop if anyone else is trying to add something to their plate. ​

If you are not eating for a moment, be sure to place your chopsticks back on the appropriate holder, and certainly do not stick them into some rice as this is incredibly poor etiquette and bad luck to boot.​

Generally, the host will order wine, whether that is red, white or the Chinese Baijiu, a strong-tasting rice wine. As a guest, be prepared to drink, as this is certainly an important custom for Chinese people. ​

If you simply cannot or do not drink alcohol, it is possible to bring a colleague with you who will do the drinking on your behalf. That said, in some areas of China, not drinking at all can be misconstrued as not giving the host ‘face’, although this is not always the case. ​

Of course, if you are drinking, then should the host ‘cheers’ you, often you will be expected to finish the glass, though it is advised that you check to see what the host does before slamming the whole glass down your neck. If you drink the whole glass, essentially that means the host now has to as well!​

For larger parties, you are expected to move around from table to table, not only staying where you were originally sat. Toast people on different tables with wine, making sure to observe their actions too, it is not guaranteed that each guest will insist you finish the entire glass.​

Drinks aside, should you be a smoker, and the host offers a cigarette, it would be very poor manners to turn it down and smoke your own. Naturally, if you do not smoke, there is no problem with politely declining, but be open to consenting to the host smoking if allowed.​

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Take care my friends, have a wonderful day, and I will see you soon!

Yuri O x