Chinese people love to serve Tea to their guests. Serving tea upon entry has three meanings: first, it shows the host's respect for the guest, as there is a sense of courtesy in the tea; second, it demonstrates the host's hospitality, with the friendship between host and guest and the goodwill towards the guest all contained in this cup of tea; third, it helps to adjust the atmosphere so that neither the host nor the guest feels awkward or constrained.
Serving and drinking tea actually carries a psychological aspect of mutual communication. Etiquette comes first in everything, and serving tea to guests is no exception.
How should Teacups and Teapot be placed?
1. The process of placing the teapot and cups should be orderly, balanced left and right, and unobstructed as much as possible;
2. If there must be an obstruction, arrange items from lowest to highest, placing shorter items like cups in front of the guest's line of sight;
3. To show respect to the guest, the spout of the teapot should not face the guest, and any patterns on the teapot and cups should be directed towards the guest, placed neatly.
The teapot spout should not face the guest
When placing the teapot, the spout should face outward, never towards the guest. This is especially true for Old Beijing customs, where pointing the spout at someone is strictly taboo, as it signifies that the person is unwelcome. It is a gesture suggesting they should leave.
Why is this so? In the past, when people were parting ways during a journey, they would bid farewell through the offering of tea (or wine), with the spout directed towards the departing individual. This symbolized that the person was about to leave. Thus, pointing the spout at a guest while pouring tea is disrespectful, indicating that the guest should depart.
The etiquette of pouring and serving tea
The method of pouring tea varies according to the different types of tea utensils used in various regions.
When pouring tea from a teapot, pour first for elders and guests, holding the pot with your right hand and lightly pressing the lid with your left, allowing the tea to flow out slowly. Do not fill the cup completely, about seven to eight tenths full is enough, and do not point the spout at the guest after pouring. If using a lidded bowl (gaiwan) for tea, each guest should have their own saucer and covered bowl, and the tea should not be poured too full, ideally about seven tenths full.
In a situation where tea is served during discussions or judgments, pointing the spout at the opposing party can be seen as a challenge. In such settings, the mediator typically holds the teapot, usually with the spout facing themselves. Once the matter is resolved, one side may take the initiative to pour tea for everyone present, acknowledging their defeat and apologizing to the other party.
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