Chinese and Western Dinner

One of the biggest differences between Chinese dinner and western dinner might be the position on table where dishes are served.

In western dinner, dishes are served in each person's own plate. So each person uses a big plate. Dishes are put to each person's own plate before serving. In western restaurants, everyone orders the three courses for oneself.

In Chinese dinner, dishes are served at the middle of table for all to share, and each person uses a small plate in front him or her to hold the food one has picked from the shared dishes. Foods are taken from the plates at the center of the table into one's own plate during the course of the meal. One takes as much as one can finish. This custom also applies to starters/appetisers. However, as for Chinese dinner main course like rice or noodle, they are often served to each person separately in a small bowl.

When several people go out for dinner, the Chinese way of haing dinner is helpful to make everyone enjoy a diversified meal, because everyone can order a different kind of dish make it shared by all.

This dinner culture difference has brought about a trouble and embarrassment to Chinese restaurant owners in western countries because western people would only order those dishes that they think would be suitable to be the main course. As for many other Chinese dishes, western people would never order them. So gradually Chinese restaurants in western countries are only providing some Chinese dishes that can fit in western people's three-course meal structure. Many other types of dishes that cannot fit in the three-course structure are cut off from the menu. There are also some Chinese restaurants providing different menus to Chinese customers from western customers. Some Chinese restaurants even have adapted their way of cooking to fit western people's taste. This is the reason why Chinese restaurants in western countries become westernized.

I have an Irish friend who has married with a Chinese...