Over the years, the customs on how people should eat their meals have changed. Due to interaction with people from all over the globe, borrowing habits from various communities is inevitable. The Chinese have also been subject to change and looking back, one can see how the decades have impacted their dining habits. For a clearer picture, here are the most common aspects that make up contemporary Chinese dining.
Furniture
The traditional Chinese dining furniture was comprised of mats or low stools, low tables and armrests. While dining, people either knelt on the mats or sat cross-legged on the stools enjoying their meals from the table. However, in recent times, the Chinese dining room has completely changed. Modern tables and seats have found their way into the dining room, and at times a rotating dish is placed on the table to help with passing the food from one person to the other.
Tableware
Although the majority of Chinese people still use chopsticks to eat most of their meals, spoons have also found their way into the kitchen. Traditionally, spoons were only used to eat soup. Still, nowadays, it is not a wonder to see a Chinese family use spoons, and knives and forks instead of chopsticks. The plates and bowls used are also entirely different from what was used traditionally. Most of the tableware has been borrowed from western culture, and when brought together, the dining sets are simply spectacular.
Food
It is a long-standing tradition in China that the meals are served on one plate and bowl placed at the centre of the table, and the whole family would take their servings from there. The meals were more of a communal activity that symbolized bringing people together. However, nowadays, the high-end restaurants have changed this tradition and food is served to people on separate plates or bowls. Also, a lot of twists have been made to the traditional recipes.