Why is it rude in Asian cultures to point the spout of a tea pot at a guest?

Question

I wasn't attempting to judge another culture. I am well traveled and embrace other cultures as well as diverse customs, I as a "westerner" just did not know the significance of the rudeness of this act.

Answer 1

it is the symbol of bad luck
in the old days when the boss decides to fire or layoff his workers.. he will invite them all for a dinner at a round table.
when he orders a chicken he will point the head of the chicken to the person he intends to fire

The workers sees they will know who gets fired...without the boss being embarrassed to make the announcement

this is called the silent chicken,....it has been practised in asian chinese culture for centuries ....

perhaps the symbol of the teapot rhymes with the same symbol of the chicken


next time ask the person...they will tell you

Answer 2

Well first of all, you have to understand that there are a lot of differences in various cultures.

These cultures have been around for thousands of years and just because they might not make sense to you , doesnt make them any less valid.

I am glad however that you are curious, it shows that you think outside of the box.

Most Asian cultures are considered High Context cultures as opposed to the US , which is a low Context culture.

Basically what that means that in a low context culture, verbal communication(speaking) is the most common way to get information. In order to express yourself you speak speak speak and the more you speak the more you think the other person will understand. also in low context cultures people value spacial distance when talking and dont interpret much from gestures or mymik.

In High context cultures the exact opposite is true, The main mean of communication is thru non verbal communication eg gestures, posture, facial expression , eye contact etc. Also spacial distance is much less in high context cultures. This might be due to the long history, rituals and traditions accumulated over centuries

with asian cultures being so high context, you have to pay attentention to so many little things that you would never think of in the US culture.

Pointing the tea spot to a guest is considered rude , just like putting someone else's business card in your back pocket.

Actually in the japanese culture there is a whole ritual that accompanies drinking tea.

wow this ended up being quite long , but HEY

dont judge what is different just because you dont understand ....

its not better or worse than what you are used to , it is just DIFFERENT ;)

CELEBRATE Diversity ;)

Answer 3

Teapot Spout

Answer 4

From what little I know of feng shui, pointed objects are supposed to direct harmful energy in the direction of the point. So pointing a tea spout at someone could be, metaphorically, a threat or at least a careless hazard to their health.

In practical terms, if someone bumps the teapot it could spurt hot tea and burn your guest; and that wouldn't be nice, even if it's an accident.

Answer 5

well, it's true. More so for Cantonese people. Well, I guess the superstituos believe is that the "flow force" rushes towards the person who's being pointed at. I can't exactly understand this too but anyway just to prevent dispute, I just keep the spout away from everyone at the table.

Answer 6

I think the reason you don't want to point the spout of a tea pot or coffee pot for that matter at someone is because if it spills you don't have to worry about burning your guest with hot liquids.

Answer 7

uhhh, i'm Asian and I never heard of that.

Answer 8

I've never heard that.

Answer 9

It might be loaded.