How to eat like a local in China?

I believe many of us know that the Chinese are not very touchy feely, this is obvious when come to greeting as the Chinese prefer handshakes over European style of cheek kissing, right?

Similarly, when come to eating at those places of interest in China there is also much difference when compared to other races. Instead of ordering individual main dishes, in China, it is usual for those around a table, whether 2, 3 or more people, they tend to order several dishes and eat together, for example, a half chicken, a fish dish, fried rice, a vegetable or so, all of which would be placed on the same table for everyone to share.

Well, the interesting part is noisily slurping up soup and noodles are considered a norm as is belching when you are done. Also don’t feel strange and uncommon when you see the locals covering the tablecloth with spat out bones, crumbs or even drips, in fact it is a sign show that they enjoyed their meal very much! However, you should never point or play with your chopsticks or to place the chopsticks on top of your rice bowl when you are finished eating, it is considered bad manners to Chinese.

The proper way to eat when traveling to interesting places in China is to:

• Hold the bowl close to your mouth and shovel in the contents without any qualms
• Always place the chopsticks horizontally on the table or plate
• Never leave your chopsticks standing up in a bowl of rice (the reason behind it is that they look like the two incense sticks burnt at funerals, sound interesting, right?)

Enjoy your traveling trip to interesting places in China, and I am sure you can eat like a local now!