Happy Year of the Snake!

Dear Cotillion Students,

Happy New Year! I am not wishing you a delayed Happy New Year, I am wishing you a Happy Year of the Snake – Lunar (Asian) New Year. It begins on Wednesday, January 29th!

Ladies and gentlemen know that there are many cultures in the world and the importance of respecting each and every one. Every country – even sometimes regions within a country – has their own language, customs and culture. If you are visiting, it is important and most respectful to follow suit while there. When we are in someone’s home, likewise, ladies and gentlemen show respect for that family, by following their customs. Even when we don’t do something perfectly, we honor the family or culture when we try. In honor of the year of the Snake, I thought I would take a minute to share some Asian Dining Etiquette. There are differences in dining etiquette from one Asian country to another, but here are some general rules.

Asian Dining Etiquette:

• Chopstick Etiquette:

*Never set them on the table once they have been used.

*Never rest your chopsticks on a serving dish.

*If there is no serving spoon or larger serving chopsticks on a serving dish, flip your

chopsticks around so you serve yourself with the large end instead of the point (the part that goes in your mouth.)

*Always put them parallel to each other when resting them on your plate or bowl, this is also finished position. They should never cross, to have your chopsticks cross is bad manners and a sign of bad luck. 

*Never poke them into your food and leave them standing upright.

• It is not impolite to leave food on your plate. It only indicates that you are full and could not eat any more. It is important to be a good host, and in many Asian cultures an empty plate indicates that they need to give you more to make sure that you are taken care of. If you do not want any more tea, leave your cup at least partially full.

• Do not mix foods together. This is the equivalent of asking for ketchup when you are being served a meal in someone’s home. The foods are prepared so that you can enjoy their individual flavors or presentations.

• Meals are served ‘family style’ on serving dishes for everyone to share, always wait for the elder members of the party to begin eating before you do.

• Never poke at the food, always take the piece that you touch.

• Etiquette changes from country to country, and can be different from American dining etiquette, for example:   

*It is appropriate to bite an egg roll or dumpling in half while holding it in your chopsticks.

*It is appropriate to bring your bowl to your mouth. (However, this is not appropriate in Korean dining.)

• The host may serve you – this is considered a gesture of hospitality. If you are not the host it is impolite for you to serve anyone else (except for a small child).

• If you want the waiter to refill your tea pot, open the hinged lid or if the lid is separate take it off.

• In Korea, it is customary for the restaurant host to provide complimentary side dishes (ie: sweet roots, kimchee, salted sea weed…) Because the side dishes are complimentary, it is not polite to ask for refills

• Japanese soups are usually served in small bowls without ladles. Use both hands to pick up the soup bowl, and bring to your lips to drink.

I hope this helps you to get off to a good start in the year of the Snake and encourages you to be more mindful of how to show respect to others! 

Love,

Mrs. Achiu

新年快乐 

(Happy New Year!)