As is true in other cultures, giving the best to a guest of honor during a meal is also a common practice in China. Here we’ll take a closer look at some of the ways in which this is done before, during, and at the end of a meal.
Seating
When a Chinese dinner is arranged in a private dining room, the host usually sits in the seat nearest to the kitchen or service door. This is considered to be the least favorable position at the table as it is where the waiter will stand to place new dishes on the table and serve individual portions. The guest of honor, on the other hand, is traditionally invited to sit farthest from the door. This is considered to be the most favorable position as it allows them to enjoy their meal without interruption and avoid things like splashing that may occur while the food is being served.
During a Meal: Fish
It is tradition that the guest of honor be the first to sample each dish and that they receive the best of everything served during a meal. When fish is served, for example, the fish head should be left for the guest of honor (the head known as the most nutritious part of the fish. When the fish is first served, the plate will be laid on the table in such a way that the fish head points towards the guest of honor (at family meals, the head points towards the head of the family), indicating that they should sample it first. If the guest of honor would prefer not to accept this honor (usually out of modesty), they can delegate it to someone else or politely turn the plate so that the fish head faces the host, in which they should take the first bite.
Leaving at the End of a Meal
Traditionally, when the guest of honor feels that everyone is about finished and ready to leave, he will rise and thank the host. According to this tradition, it means that no other diner can rise before the guest of honor does. Nowadays, however, this tradition is not so strictly adhered to, though gratitude at the end of a meal should be expressed as always.
Tags:Dining Guest of Honor
