I saw in a documentary type show that stated that when even the poorest Chinese household recieves a guest; they don't ask how are you, they don't say, "well hi we havn't seen you in a while"; NO the first thing they say is: "HAVE YOU EATEN"; so I just wondered: if this is THE traditional greeting, why is it not the first thing you see up there on the wall in Chinese letters that I couldn't read anyway, ( but suredly the feeling of tradition would make the Chinese Owners proud ), in every Chinese Restaurant in the world ?
I sure can't copyright this one, but I am probaly going to make a bunch of money for several sign manufacturers with this one.
2007-06-05 16:17:03 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Dining Out ➔ Other - Dining Out
The current Chinese writing signs, I've been told are a blessing.
2007-06-06 19:04:05 · update #1
That really is a common greeting. Make those signs!
The first time a college friend from China greeted me like this, I was so confused.
Normally in English, that's the round-about way someone asks if you wanna have lunch!
Friend: Oh, hi! Have you eaten?
Me: Yeah, I'm sorry...
Friend: Why are you sorry?
Me: Oh.. I thought you wanted to go have lunch with me. I was saying sorry because I already ate!
Friend: No, I was just saying hello, because you're my friend! I care about your health!
2007-06-05 16:36:04 · answer #1 · answered by Adrienne<3 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Because americans would never understand the history behind that phrase or at least would ask until the restaurant owners exploded.
When china was still an agricultural nation, people often did not get enough nutrition. Food meant a lot back then. By asking have they eaten, they are implying, how is your health and in a larger sense, are things going well enough that you have enough to eat. They are also implying that if not, they will offer you food, a sign of prosperity for that household and that they are caring for you, even if you arent family.
2007-06-05 16:21:48 · answer #2 · answered by leikevy 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Rice or noodles? Like a nightmarish mantra, this word will plague you in case you ever stay in China. fairly chinese language foodstuff is slop, brewed over an open kettle (medieval varieties). it fairly is all moist and oily, with perverse mixing of tastes -- the culinary analogue of the annoying 80s mashups happening in song.
2016-10-06 23:10:28 · answer #3 · answered by fryback 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not very good idea. If you go to a restaurant, you go there to eat, therefore the question "Have you eaten?" would seem a little stupid. Picture this:
Chef/Manager/Whoever: Have you eaten, sir?
Me: Yes. I came here for the chairs!
Got it?
2007-06-05 17:08:27 · answer #4 · answered by mrquestion 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
That is a very traditional greeting in the Chinese culture. Clever idea, but in most Chinese restaurants that funny writing, I've been told, reads: "Welcome".
2007-06-06 01:18:35 · answer #5 · answered by HL 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sounds to me like it is a greeting in the HOME not in a restaurant.
2007-06-08 15:30:07 · answer #6 · answered by curious connie 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Putting up a sign in resaurants that say "Have you eaten?"
How novel. Kinda like "Got Milk?"
2007-06-05 16:20:08 · answer #7 · answered by tabulator32 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
it is also tradition in many countries around the world.
2007-06-05 16:21:54 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
i guess that is the way they make someone feel welcome
2007-06-07 13:13:11 · answer #9 · answered by donielle 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋