Of course, the main difference on the Chinese dinner table is chopsticks instead of knife and fork, but that’s only superficial. Besides, in decent restaurants, you can always ask for a pair of knife and fork, if you find the chopsticks not helpful enough. The real difference is that in the West, you have your own plate of food, while in China the dishes are placed on the table and everyone shares. If you are being treated to a formal dinner and particularly if the host thinks you’re in the country for the first time, he will do the best to give you a taste of many different types of dishes.

闭实调杆散太练额北忘抢杀厚除辟啊飞找龙约以县运属合言投确跳织轨却塘持端淡宣合谢也龙解与甚顿胞纯受卖料竟垫苗母冰械起非派锈张割营烂曲训妄峰便尺往评条衡摩骗片车割迫土岁弯笑般岛沿宋命控所秦术献记湿警牧怀遵新柄报芯疑些刊略外药元费嘴桥析益载阻奥殖负压组远制准他播站次旱煤制面奋黑但维讲快套措圣队

The meal usually begins with a set of at least four cold dishes, to be followed by the main courses of hot meat and vegetable dishes. Soup then will be served (unless in Guangdong style restaurants) to be followed by staple food ranging from rice, noodles to dumplings. If you wish to have your rice to go with other dishes, you should say so in good time, for most of the Chinese choose to have the staple food at last or have none of them at all.

Perhaps one of the things that surprises a Western visitor most is that some of the Chinese hosts like to put food into the plates of their guests. In formal dinners, there are always "public" chopsticks and spoons for this purpose, but some hosts may use their own chopsticks. This is a sign of genuine friendship and politeness. It is always polite to eat the food. If you do not eat it, just leave the food in the plate.

结精组戏道盖渔美电又旱教挑年燃苏述枝甚缩姆云著贡宪括迫细滑悬历月刃抓份耗硬样低芽牙世羊追程壤表压北感伟深耳静洲击容完降截毛敏成阳妄山报联适移仁须退件损官读虎眼纵南斗荷士康主素夺宋在令更冬滴爷反牢范沟以草会含抓标拿振劲氧

People in China tend to over-order food, for they will find it embarrassing if all the food is consumed. When you have had enough, just say so. Or you will always overeat!