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Take the Hong Kong eating etiquette quiz
Hong Kong is considered the cuisine capital of Asia. Here are some more
interesting eating etiquette questions that you’ll want to know
the answer to before you visit Hong Kong.
1. Is it acceptable to slurp your soup?
2. Can you scoop rice right into your mouth from a bowl?
3. Should you leave your chop sticks sticking out of your bowl of rice
between bites?
4. Before drinking, should you toast to your companions?
5. Is “cleaning your plate” considered a sign of respect?
Answers are below.
1. Is it acceptable to slurp your soup?
Answer; Yes, it’s considered a good way to cool down hot soup!
2. Can you scoop rice right into your mouth from a bowl?
Answer; Yes, it’s okay to lift a bowl and scoop rice right into
your mouth. This makes sense, due to the difficulty of eating rice with
chop sticks.
3. Should you leave your chop sticks sticking out of your bowl of rice
between bites?
Answer; No! Never stick your chop sticks straight up in a bowl of rice.
This is considered an omen of bad luck since this resembles to the Chinese
the two sticks of incense that stand in a bowl of ashes which represents
death.
4. Before drinking, should you toast to your companions?
Answer; Yes. Much like in the United States, it’s common to toast
your friend’s before drinking wine. It is acceptable just to bring
the glass to your lips, if you do not want to drink. It’s also
common courtesy to refill an eating partner’s glass, even if it
is full, before filling your own. Tapping the table with three fingers
while someone is filling your glass is a sign of appreciation. The two
outer fingers represent arms while your middle finger represents a bowed
head.
5. Is “cleaning your plate” considered a sign of respect?
Answer; No, you should always leave a little left on your plate no matter
how great your food is. To finish every bite is to suggest that your
host did not serve enough, an insult of great magnitude.
Don’t let these rules cause you concern though. Even if you forget
one of these rules, you will surely be forgiven by the hospitable citizens
of Hong Kong. Knowledge of this etiquette will be a sign of your interest
in their culture that will undoubtedly be noticed and appreciated.
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