Food of China

(Symbolism, Using Chopsticks & Tablemanners)

Part I: The Symbolism of Food in China

In China, the food that is served is very symbolic. In this activity, the varieties of food served in the different regions of China and what they represent are explored. Some of the key questions delt with are:

  • Why is food very important to a culture?
  • What does food culture tell us about the values, philosophy and the people of a specific culture?
  • Why are some food and dishes very symbolic in China?

Building a menu:

  • For this section, the students are now chefs in a fine Chinese restaurant. Divide the “chefs” into groups of 4-5, and give each group a task to accomplish. Some ideas of the tasks include:
    • Design the menu for a Chinese New Year banquet
    • Design the menu for a Chinese wedding banquet
    • Design the menu for a Chinese birthday banquet for a friend
    • Design the menu for a Chinese birthday banquet for grandma
  • Each group should take time to discuss among them selves, and present to the rest of the class what their menus are and why they come up with those dishes.

Part II: Using Chopsticks

Chinese simply choose chopsticks as their tableware rather than knife and fork since Chinese people, under cultivation of Confucianism, consider knife and fork bearing sort of violence, like cold weapons. However, chopsticks reflect gentleness and benevolence, the main moral teaching of Confucianism.

Chinese food seems to taste better eaten with chopsticks which are the special utensil Chinese use to dine. It will be an awkward experience for foreigners to use chopsticks to have a meal. Fortunately, learning to eat with chopsticks is not difficult.

Using the chopstick handout, read the following step-by-step instructions and you will effortlessly eating with chopsticks in no time.

The method of using chopsticks is to hold one chopstick in place while pivoting the other one to pick up a morsel. How to position the chopsticks is the hard part. First, place the first chopstick so that thicker part rests at the base of your thumb and the thinner part rests on the lower side of your middle fingertip. Then, bring your thumb forward so that the stick will be firmly trapped in place. At least two or three inches of chopstick of the thinner end should extend beyond your fingertip. Next, position the other chopstick so that it is held against the side of your index finger by the end of your thumb. Check whether the ends of the chopsticks are even. If not, then tap the thinner parts on the plate to make them be even.

Ok, now you are going to practice. Just place a little pressure on the upper chopstick, the one against your index finger, to make it pivot on the index finger while keep the bottom chopstick stationary. Isn't it easy? After a little practice, you can use them to enjoy your Chinese food. You’ll certainly need to take care in the first few attempts.

Using chopsticks to eat rice is a problem to most foreigners. Generally the tip to eat rice is to bring one's rice bowl close to one's mouth and quickly scoop the rice into it with one's chopsticks. Since this is difficult for foreigners, it is perfectly acceptable simply to lift portions of rice to the mouth from the bowl held in the other hand.

There are superstitions associated with chopsticks too. If you find an uneven pair at your table setting, it means you are going to miss a boat, plane or train. Dropping chopsticks will inevitably bring bad luck. Crossed chopsticks are, however, permissible in a dim sum restaurant. The waiter will cross them to show that your bill has been settled, or you can do the same to show the waiter that you have finished and are ready to pay the bill.

Part III: Table Manners

In China, since people eat together, usually the host will serve you some dishes with his or her own chopsticks as a show of hospitality. Since this is different than Western customs, you can leave the food alone if you feel too awkward.

There are some other rules you are suggested to follow to make your stay in China happier, though you will be forgiven if you have no idea what they are:

  • Never stick your chopsticks upright in the rice bowl, since that is usually done at a funeral and will be seen as an extremely impolite gesture to the host and seniors present.
  • Make sure the spout of the teapot is not pointing toward anyone.
  • Don't tap on your bowl with your chopsticks, since that will be deemed an insult to the host or the chef.
  • Never try to turn a fish over and debone it yourself, since the separation of the fish skeleton from the lower half of the flesh will usually be performed by the host or a waiter. Superstitious people will expect bad luck (a fishing boat will capsize).

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