Table manners are an extremely important part of traditional Chinese culture. Among them, the act of "knocking on the table" when pouring wine has its own unique meaning and background. This article will reveal the meaning of this behavior to help you better understand table manners and avoid embarrassing situations.
"Knock on the table" at the table
The act of "knocking on the table" is a common expression of gratitude or respect in Chinese table manners. When someone pours you a drink, tap your finger on the table to show your appreciation. This is widely used in many occasions, such as business dinners, gatherings of friends or family dinners.
The formation of this kind of table manners is closely related to ancient Chinese cultural traditions. In ancient China, rituals such as prostration, bowing, and bowing were important rituals in people's daily interactions. Over time, these rituals have been simplified, and "knocking on the table" has become an alternative form that continues to be passed down as an emotional expression of respect and gratitude.
Understand the culture behind "knocking on the table".
To understand the meaning of the act of "knocking on the table", we also need to pay attention to the cultural context behind it. In traditional Chinese culture, respect and humility are very important values. At the dinner table, people express their respect and gratitude to each other by "knocking on the table".
In addition, "knocking on the table" also reflects the subtlety and restraint in Chinese culture. There is no direct verbal expression, but it conveys a deep sense of gratitude and respect. This subtle way of expression also reflects the characteristics of Chinese culture that focus on emotional communication.
In practice, "knocking on the table" is usually done when the other person is pouring you a drink, and is a way of responding and expressing gratitude. Of course, if the other person doesn't "knock on the table" after pouring the drink for you, don't be too concerned or embarrassed. Because with the change of times, the etiquette of "knocking on the table" may have been gradually diluted or ignored on some occasions. The key is to show respect and gratitude to the other person through your words, actions and attitudes.
How to use "knock on the table" correctly
If you want to use the etiquette of "knocking on the table" at the dinner table, you can pay attention to the following:
1.Tap your fingers on the tabletop, generally with your index or middle fingers, with light force;
2.The tempo of the percussion can be slightly slower, leaving time for thought;
3.Do it when responding to the other person pouring you a drink, not too early or too late;
4.Pay attention to the reactions of those around you and avoid embarrassing situations due to misunderstandings.
In conclusion, "knocking on the table" is an important table etiquette in traditional Chinese culture, through which people can express respect and gratitude for each other. Understanding and mastering this etiquette will not only help you better integrate into traditional Chinese culture, but also make you more confident and decent at the table. At the same time, we should also respect the differences in table manners in different cultural backgrounds, and understand and accept different cultural traditions with an open and inclusive mind. Only in this way can we be more confident and calm in cross-cultural communication and jointly promote the prosperity and development of world culture.