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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