I've seen people open the cap of the teapot open and leave it at the end of the table when they want a refill of their hot tea. Is that how you ask for a refill of hot tea in Chinese culture? Also, why do the waitpersons/servers make so much noise when they are putting the dishes away, etc? Is it better to make more noise?
2006-12-28 14:24:19 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
I guess Chinese etiquettes are similar to the Japanese one...I've been to expensive(up-scale, whatever you like to call it), but I don't know...the noise just occurs a lot in a restaurants that I went to by coincidence.
Yes, it's true that American restaurants like Denny's and IHOP makes too. I didn't mean to offend anyone, and I'm sorry if I did!
2006-12-28 15:15:01 · update #1
Yes, leaving the teapot lid upside down on the pot, and leaving the pot at the end of the table is a silent gesture to tell the waiter/waitress to fill up the teapot again. It's better than say, yelling out "Oi you! Fill my tea up won't you?", don't you think? lol
And if you "just eat like you're not ashamed", that's considered very rude.
As for the noise, I don't actually know. Etiquette-speaking, the waiters/waitresses are meant to be as quiet as possible, so maybe they just happened to be in a bad mood that day...?
Although, since a lot of Chinese plates, bowls etc are made of porcelain, sometimes noise is just unavoidable, and the waitresses/waiters are usually hurrying to do their job as quickly as possible, thus unable to avoid the noise.
Another pointer: try putting as little of your arm on the table as possible. I know its a habit for Westerners to put their whole arms on the table while eating, but for Chinese it's the opposite. We understand you need to use your hands for eating, but try putting as little of your arm as possible.
2006-12-28 14:36:52 · answer #1 · answered by Unefemme 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I do not know about the refill part. I always decline the tea as I like plain water with chinese food.
With regard to the noise, even in IHOP, Denny's and many American's restaurant, there is this noise. If they have a noiseless kitchen (ie. the kitchen is sound proof) then the noise will not be there. Otherwise all the restaurants will have the noise.
I do not know if you have visited any upscale chinese place and they have very classy taste and they believe in Feng Shui and the place is always very cheerful and good.
2006-12-28 23:00:00 · answer #2 · answered by SP 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, by opening the teapot cap you ask for a refill. Regarding the noise, Chinese like to eat in groups of up to 10 people (one round table's worth). each one orders something and they have family style variety - usually they bring some Shiao Shing wine or Kaohliang white lightning and the whole crowd gets happy. You can be as quiet as you wish and nobody will mind.
Other suggestions... don't ever stick your chop sticks into a bowl to put them down. That's bad luck. Either put them across the top of the bowl or back on the table.
When using a toothpick, cover your mouth with your other hand.
It's ok to be noisy while eating soup with those Chinese soup spoons.
It's ok to burp while eating. It shows that you are enjoying the food - just don't overdo it :-)
2006-12-28 22:52:19 · answer #3 · answered by luosechi 駱士基 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
It's all a restaurant code, the tea cap not completely on the kettle. I frequent Chinese restaurants (that's because I am Chinese). The waiters don't mind the noises of the dishes just as long as they can get their jobs finished faster. *Beware of some of the free appetizers that they present you. There may be loud chewing and conversations as well in these restaurants. That's just how we do it.
2006-12-28 22:31:03 · answer #4 · answered by m_0hi 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, opened teapot mean asking for refill.
Chinese people are by nature noisy.
2006-12-29 02:30:06 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it's a sign, at least in new york chinatown, that you need more tea.
As for the dishes, that's just them putting the dishes away in a giant bin. That's not really them trying to have etiquette, it's more like a... side effect, or something.
Someone should tell them not to do that, since it's kind of tacky to see that giant bin of dishes.
2006-12-29 00:05:21 · answer #6 · answered by ♥perishedmemories♥ 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am a chinese.In chinese culture,we seldom do that in order to get my cup refilled.Usually,a good waiter always knows when u need a refill of hot tea.
2006-12-28 23:03:50 · answer #7 · answered by ruikunliu 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Chinese restaurants don't permit farting and belching in their restaurants as is the usual custom in American restaurants.
2006-12-28 22:34:16 · answer #8 · answered by robert m 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
just eat like you're not ashamed and you'll be fine
2006-12-28 22:26:48 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋