12 Rules at the Taiwanese table

If you’re a foreigner and you’re having a meal with Taiwanese people they will not care too much if you break a few rules. Nonetheless it is always good to have good manners. Some of those are true across all chopsticks-using countries. We’ll talk about chopsticks first before moving to the bowl and then we’ll talk about general rules.

Don’t stick your chopsticks in the bowl of rice

This is considered bad luck because it’s only acceptable during a funeral offering. Some rules on this list you can break and get away with it but this one will make Taiwanese uncomfortable.

Put your chopsticks on the chopstick rest

If available at the table. Only higher end restaurant offer those.

Use the common chopsticks for the common dish

Common dishes may have chopsticks or spoons next to them. Be especially careful if one of the guests is vegetarian not to touch a vegetarian dish with your non-vegetarian chopsticks. Also put down your own chopsticks to get food with the common spoon.

Don’t dig in the common dish

Don’t try to get the best piece, just take what comes.

Don’t play with your chopsticks

Do I have to explain this one ? You should also avoid waving your chopsticks when you’re talking.

Hold the bowl to you face

It makes it easier to eat. You can bite a piece of meat that’s too big and put it back in your bowl. You can eat the rice with a spoon. You can also ask for a fork at most restaurants, they won’t mind.

Don’t drink directly from the big bowl

You can drink soup directly from the small bowl but if you’re having soup noodle from a big bowl use the spoon.

Hold the bottom and top of your bowl

I never noticed this until it was pointed out to me. It’s not that rude to hold your bowl otherwise but it does help if the bowl is too hot.

Pay the bill

If you invite people you’re not close to to share a meal at a restaurant to thank them, you’re expected to pay the bill. Maybe your guest will want to share the bill but you should insist at least a little bit to pay it.

Stop eating when you’re full

If you’re eating with Taiwanese people they will probably insist that you eat more even if you say you’re full. The etiquette here is to politely insist you’re full. Your host is just being a good host by offering more food and making sure you’re not just too shy to eat more.

Don’t say thank you too much

In France on in the UK, for example, we say thanks at any given opportunity.

“-Can you pass me the salt ?

-There you go.

-Thank you.”

But in Taiwan being overly polite will give the host the impression that you’re uncomfortable. I’m serious just watch how often Taiwanese people say thank you (謝謝 — xièxie) to each other. On the other hand compliment the food as much as possible.

There you go! That’s all you need to know to be a great guest. Taipei Twelve is an ongoing series on medium, check out our other lists!

Illustration by me, more on my website.