Sharing meal within a Chinese family

OLIVOVÁ, Lucie. Sharing meal within a Chinese family. In Food and Power in a Global Context. Charles University. 2021.

Basic information

• Original name: Sharing meal within a Chinese family
• Name in Czech: Společné stravování v čínské rodině
• Authors: OLIVOVÁ, Lucie.
• Edition: Food and Power in a Global Context. Charles University. 2021.

Other information

• Type of outcome: Presentations at conferences
• Confidentiality degree: is not subject to a state or trade secret
• Keywords (in Czech): Čína; společenské zvyky; stolování; jídelna; jídelní stůl
• Keywords in English: China; customs; dining; dining-room; dining-table
• Tags: International impact, Reviewed

Abstract

The importance of food in Chinese society is generally acknowledged. It is far from being just a basic necessity of everyday life; as is well known, food is primarily a social phenomenon in China, and items of food are offered in rituals, too. The Chinese pride themselves on the complexity of their victuals, and on their sophisticated dining habits. They regard the sharing of dishes during a meal as a valid proof of being community oriented. However, these notions are only valid of banquets during festive occasions. Meals consumed on everyday basis are understandably less formal. Regarded from this perspective, it is certainly intriguing that the traditional house did not have a specific dining-room, that a large solid dining table was not a typical piece of domestic furniture, and that members of an extended family did not usually eat together. In my paper, I shall try to describe some habits which detract from the generally accepted views on dining in Chinese society. I shall also point out what role they could have played in the shaping of family relations.