Dining in a restaurant is a joy and a wonderment in China. In some aspects it isn’t any different than eating in Chicago, or San Francisco. Yet in many ways once you have experienced it you’ll certainly remember it. It is best experienced with friends - some Chinese friends, and the more the merrier.

In America although we’d truly like to get a private room,they generally are either not available or simply too expensive. The Chinese like to eat with their friends, their colleagues and their families. Which means that restaurants are specifically designed to accomodate these desires - lots of private rooms of all sizes. There is generally a ‘public area’, but the real action is in the private rooms.

The better the restaurant the more adorned these rooms become. Most all have their own heater/AC unit, a TV, and a big round table with a glass lazy-susan in the middle. The nicer ones have a couch and a little table, with magazines available for your reading pleasure while waiting for everyone to arrive. The best come with their own washroom/bathroom and a dumbwaiter room, so your hostess can receive your food from the kitchen without your privacy being interupted by outsiders. Hot tea is served immediately when you arrive, by your very own waitress - no double duty for this girl - she’s only assigned one room.

You will find there is a strict protocol on the seating. The VIP, or main guest sits directly opposite and facing the door. The remaining people sit according to their ranking (given the particular situation) around the main guest. With the least most important person sitting with their back to the door. Additionally, you don’t take your place at the table until all guests have arrived - even if the food has been (or is being) served on the table.
Once everyone has taken their place, a drink is served (I’ll discuss the drinks in a later entry), and a toast for the occasion is made. Then (and only then), you may begin eating - although generally the main guest is allowed the first bite.

It is generally considered good manners to toast the individual people or couples once during the dinner. While your toasts should be properly spread out during the dinner period, it is important not to forget anyone. As a foreigner, you should be aware of the ‘attack of the toasts’, which I will cover later.

The food is served in stages, just as in the US. First the appetizers, then the main course, and finally the watermellon (not really a dessert as you generally aren’t charged for this dish). I always know when the meal is over.... The watermellon is served.

I warned you that dining in China is a comprehensive subject, and that is proving to be correct. I will provide more in later entries....

Next up.... Some thoughts about shopping.