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Chinese Drinking Etiquette
Wine is an important part of dietary culture, and its significance in Chinese culture should not be overlooked. "A thousand cups of wine is not too much when bosom friends meet," according to an old Chinese saying. In fact, drinking together is an essential part of socializing and camaraderie. Thus, like any code of social conduct, drinking adheres to strict rules:
1. One should never refuse to participate in a toast, as that could be interpreted as being impolite. All people sitting at the same table must stand up, upon the initiative of one of the guests, and toast in succession.
2. Elderly people and superiors should be served first. One should make sure not to raise his/her glass higher than those of the respected elders.
3. If “gan-bei” is called, the drinkers must drink all the contents of their glasses cup, and then show the other guests their glasses are empty.
4 . At a feast, if one wants to show his or her respect to elders or superiors, he or she should toast. Before drinking, they will touch their cups to express their affection. The cups of the younger or the person who toasts should be lower. Generally speaking, the one who toasts would empty the cup to show his or her sincerity.
5. Chinese people usually drink in a happy atmosphere involving talking and joking.
6. Sometimes, in order to increase liveliness, people set rules for drinking, almost like a game. The person who loses may be "punished" by drinking wine if he or she loses the game.
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