A hand lifts the lid of a blue-and-white covered bowl of steaming rice, a pair of chopsticks lies on a rest, and a bowl of egg-drop soup with greens and a plate of greens scattered with garlic slices stand beside it.
Manners at the table
Introduction
General table manners, and what is avoided at the table.
Table customs and taboos covers general manners at meals. The Li ji, in Qu Li shang, already sets many rules: when eating with elders, if the host serves the food in person, bow in thanks before eating. Do not ball the rice, do not put rice you have taken back in the dish, do not gulp soup and do not smack the lips; when sharing food do not seek to eat your fill, and when sharing rice do not rub your hands. How chopsticks and spoons are used belongs to Chopsticks and Spoons, and seating and toasts to Seating and Toasts.