Page 105 - CROSS CULTURE

and then guests “use the chopsticks”. People in China tend to over-

order food, for they will find it embarrassing if all the food is

consumed.

In western countries, everyone has their plate of food. Use

knives and forks. A knife should be held in the right hand, and a
fork should be held in the left hand. All other guests should be in

front of all on the menu, then the hostess hands before the start of

a meal. ? In the West, the host should wait until the guests finished

the dish, then replaced the dish．

Both of these countries have similarities in table manners. For

example, don’t rattle when you are eating food, especially when

you are drinking soup. Chewing should shut up. Do not blow your

nose or burp at the table. If you sneeze or cough, say sorry to the
humanitarians around. Do not pick your teeth at the dinner table.

If you have to pick your teeth, just use a handkerchief to conceal

them. When you are having meals, always maintaining silence is

rude and you should have conversations with people around you.

However, don’t talk while eating.

Meals are social events. The idea is not only to eat but to enjoy

others’ company. If your friend comes to the table with grease from

fixing his bicycle chain all over his hands, he chews with his mouth
wide open so you can see all his chewed food while you’re trying

to eat, and, finally, he coughs all over the table, what do you think?

99