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Published: June 11th 2006
making friends
From left:1. Arthur, 2. next my brilliant new student, 3. the little Buddha, 4. father of my student, 5. Ms. Sue, and 6. mother of my student.The Art of a Banquet:
The dining experience is traditionally an important event in China. Not only honoring a guest, it establishes and deepens personal relationships and fosters and encourages enthusiastic appreciation for one another. Pre-dating the time of Marco Polo, it is as much a ritual of food, as it is a festival of the "choicest" and the most "exotic" morsels. The sharing of food and drink re-enforce respect and admiration and gratitude for each other's on-going relationships, and continues to re-new, nurture, and deepen friendships.
Upon invitation, as it was the case with the family of my student in these photos, the guests are escorted and ushered into a private room, usually on the upper floor of the restaurant. The privacy offers a gracious host the opportunity to focus and express gratitude for the meeting of both new and old friends. Decorum and custom prescribe the introductions, and the seating is carefully arranged according to the importance of the guest. The most honored guest will sit to the right of the host, and any other prominent guest is offered the seat to the left. The host will then seat all others present, depending on the occasion and their
making friends
Preparing for the gourmet adventure. status.
Hot tea is served immediately, and platters of appetizers will quickly grace the rotating "Lazy Susan" on a large, round table. Wine, beer, or shot glasses (in my case orange-juice), are immediately filled. Carefully crafted words, in respect of guests and each other, introduce the atmosphere of cordiality. With the help of the "spirits", conversations quickly escalate in enthusiasm, and become more animated with every "clank" of the glasses. To "toast" and then to drink "bottoms-up" is an appreciated gesture, while the glass is usually held with both hands. Everyone at the table will find frequent opportunities to walk to, and thus honor each guest in words and drink, and share wishes and remembrences with hosts and the others.
EVERY dish, up to some 20 or more, is FIRST placed in front of the guest, who will be encouraged by everyone to select, what looks to be the tastiest portion. A guest is urged and will make every effort, to try at least something of each platter. Every bite quickly becomes a new adventure for the Western-taste, offers palette of new "savors", yet leaves the question of "ingredients" mostly un-answered.
Throughout the two hours of merryment
making friends
the calm before the storm there is bonding, and the appreciation for each other is elevated. Rice, noodles, soup, and fresh fruit signal a closing to the evening, often sealed with the presentation of a gift. Everyone exchanges the final pleasantries, and guests are escorted to their waiting cars.
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Rhys
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Dining, China-style
Hey hey - Ganbei!