Foreigners often wonder, why Chinese people use the phrase “你吃饭了吗” (Ni chi fan le ma?) as a greeting, meaning “Have you eaten yet?”
This way they greet each other and their foreign friends or partners, often inviting them to have a dinner together before or after a business meeting.
Such invitations are more than just a common courtesy. It is an important part of Chinese culture and business ethics. Such “dinner meetings” (宴会 -yan hui) symbolize unity, which is also reflected in the way the table is laid.
People sit around a big table, taking food from big plates. The tables usually have round rotating tabletops, so that everyone can try every dish.
Such dinner meetings are more than just a tradition, having its roots in Chinese history, Confucianism and collective mentality. It is also a great opportunity to get better acquainted with your Chinese partners in relaxing and casual atmosphere, discuss business prospects and enjoy traditional Chinese cuisine.
More topics on Chinese mentality
“Shanzhai” – Chinese copycat culture
How China’s copycats became some of the most innovative brands “Shanzhai” means a business model based on producing fake or pirated products, that has earned China the reputation of being a “copycat nation” Chinese companies are known for copying market-proven...
“Guanxi” – the Chinese way of doing business
Guanxi Concept in Chinese Mentality “Guanxi” is the traditional model of social relations in China, based on mutually beneficial cooperation, reciprocity and trust This term can be roughly translated as “personal connections”, or “social networks”. Basically, it is...
Attitude to money in China
Money means everything in Chinese culture People in China are known to have a full blown obsession with money. Their lives revolve around how much you earn and how much you can spend They are some of the biggest spenders in the world, yet they are also famous for...
Work around the clock in China
Chinese tradition to work overtime A lot of Chinese companies expect their employees to work according to the rule of “996” - working from 9am till 9pm and 6 days a week. For instance, Alibaba founder Jack Ma has recently made a bold statement defending...
The importance of lunch in China
Food culture is an integral part of Chinese mentality Mealtime is one of the most important activities in Chinese everyday life. A Chinese person can’t do his work properly without a regular substantial lunch The Chinese tend to wake up early, and by 8 AM...