I’ve been teaching my Chinese clients in Hong Kong about Western dining etiquette and to my surprise I’m actually learning a lot too… about Chinese dining etiquette!

Discussing the do’s and don’ts of Western dining with various cultures means that I also learn the different etiquette rules and traditions that are important to others from their cultural perspectives. I thought I knew quite a lot about Chinese dining etiquette, but there are always new wonderful things to discover. As I’m temporarily living in Asia it’s a great opportunity to really embrace these differences first hand! I love learning about the customs of other cultures and I feel so privileged to share them with you!

When it comes to Chinese dining, it’s all about hospitality, being a good host and sharing good food. As with many cultures there is typically an abundance of food, served in one way or another that may be perhaps different to your expectations, understandings or own cultural norms. This is similar around the world but in China, the Lazy Susan is a very popular and useful way of enjoying everything that is offered at the dining table. It’s an alternative way of passing food dishes around the table. Many Chinese meals are served at a round table, and these tables can sometimes be quite large so instead of simply placing the dishes on the table to pass around, a Lazy Susan is used to ease the process of serving oneself.

The Lazy Susan is a rotatable board centered in the middle of a round dining table upon which multiple dishes are placed and can be moved by the diners so as to access each of the food dishes. Each guest can serve themselves. However, there is an etiquette involved!

So here are a few insights to the ‘Lazy Susan’ and yes, manners matter!! There is an important ‘etiquette’ involved when it comes to sharing these communal dishes.

Typically at the place setting each guest will have two sets of chopsticks. One set to use to serve themselves from the communal dishes and the other set is to eat their food from.

Here are my 8 Top Tips for navigating a meal with the Lazy Susan :

1. Dishes on the Lazy Susan that have individual serving chopsticks or spoon should always be used. If there are no serving spoons then use the extra ones that you will find at your place setting.

2. The Lazy Susan is moved counter clockwise for ease of use so that each guest has the opportunity to serve themselves from each dish. It’s important to keep this flow so that every person can take their turn otherwise the turntable will serve no purpose!

3. Don’t take too much of one food and don’t take seconds of any dish until you’re sure everyone has had their first taste of it. Try to be considerate of everyone at the table. Serve yourself smaller portions, there is always an abundance of food on the Lazy Susan, so there’s no need to rush. You can rotate it toward you again throughout the meal.

4. Wait your turn if you want to try another dish or have second helpings of your favourite food. The turntable shouldn’t be moved until each guest has chosen their food.

5. Similar to western etiquette, always eat what you serve yourself. It’s very wasteful to put food on your plate and then not eat it.

6. Don’t remove a serving dish from the Lazy Susan. When bringing food to your own bowl or plate, it’s better to move your own plate or bowl closer to the Lazy Susan and serve yourself.

7. If your host or guest seated next to serves you food… consider it an honour! This is very typical in some Asian cultures. Your host wants you feel satisfied.

8. Avoid taking the last piece from a serving dish unless it is specifically offered to you. Taking the last pieces of a dish can be perceived that you are unsatisfied with the meal and are still hungry… or greedy! Your Chinese host takes great pride and satisfaction in seeing that you have enjoyed your meal to the fullest.

Julia Esteve Boyd

The Etiquette Consultant