The Chinese food culture includes some typical table customs. We have selected two remarkable features of Chinese table customs; the usage of chopsticks and the background story on finger tapping. Included with the chopsticks story, you can find some illustrations which will help you in the practical use of chopsticks.

Chopsticks
Chopsticks, in Chinese called kuai-zi (quick little fellows), were developed about 5,000 years ago in China. People cooked their food in large pots which retained heat well. Food was chopped into small pieces so it could be cooked more rapidly. Inventive eaters then broke twigs off trees to retrieve the food.

Because food was chopped in small pieces, this led to the replacement of knives by chopsticks and chopsticks became the sole staple utensils. The famous Chinese philosopher Confucius (a vegetarian) has further stimulated the usage of chopsticks by advising people not to use knives at the table because knives would remind them of the slaughterhouse!

Finger Tapping

Finger tapping has a funny origin. If you observe Chinese people with Dim Sum, you might notice finger tapping (three times if you count the taps!) by the tea pouring. Finger tapping is a silent expression of gratitude to the member of the party who has refilled their cup.

The story tells of a Qing Dynasty emperor who used to go out on incognito inspection visits. While visiting South China, he once went into a teahouse with his companions. In order to preserve his anonymity, he poured tea to avoid revealing his special status. His shocked companions wanted to bow for the great honour he was doing them. Instead of letting them reveal his identity, the emperor told them to tap three times with a finger on the table. One tap represented their bowed head and the other two taps represented their prostrate arms.

Although this charming gesture of gratitude is no longer imperial, for Chinese it is still courteous to treat the host imperially.