"Lazy Susans" are ubiquitous in Chinese restaurants – you’ve probably seen or used them yourself while dining out. Contrary to what some might think, lazy Susans are not a kind of table but are instead the mechanism placed atop it. They are usually made of glass, wood, or steel and aid in seamlessly distributing food, a type of “dumb-waiter” that Americans and the British have used since the mid-1900s.
There are many conflicting theories about the invention of the lazy Susan, with some even crediting its invention to Thomas Jefferson. But while it’s difficult to pinpoint its exact origins, historians have noted that Chinese literature from as early as 1313 had already mentioned concepts of revolving tables, though at the time it was used for printing rather than eating.
Whatever the origins of this invention may be we cannot deny that it’s now a huge part of how Chinese families and communities eat nowadays. So if you’re looking to polish up your etiquette for the next dinner party, here are a few tips to remember.
Seniors Eat First
It’s no surprise that Chinese tradition places great importance on seniority. Hierarchy is often seen in all forms of social structure; these include families and office setups. At the dining table, much is the same. Chinese dining etiquette will require the most senior of the table to eat first; this will depend on the context of the meal. Eating with family means the senior is the oldest in the group (perhaps a grandparent) while eating with business partners will mean your boss takes first dibs.
If a dish is placed before you, the polite thing to do is push it towards the most senior member of the group. He or she will take the first cut and pass it on to the next person.
Go in One Direction
A flow is usually established right away after the first course (usually cold cuts) is served. Traditional Chinese people will make sure to always push the table clockwise but whatever direction the food takes, it will be observed throughout the meal. If the first few courses have already gone around clockwise, avoid turning the lazy Susan counter-clockwise mid-meal.
Share the Food
After taking your portion, make sure to nudge the lazy Susan onto the next person before taking a bite of your food. Do not leave the dish simply placed in front of you. It’s always polite to pass the food along and make sure your seatmate has their share of the dish.
Some people might also want to serve their seatmates before they serve themselves. Unless you have an allergy, always accept the portion being offered as rejecting it could offend your host or whoever is offering.
Save Seconds for Later
Lazy Susans will usually sit between 8 to 12 people and serving sizes for food will be big enough for everyone to share. However, some dishes – particularly those with individual pieces such as abalone or prawn – may only have enough for one per person. Any extra pieces can be taken only after everyone has gotten their portion.
At a lazy Susan setup, it’s important to be considerate of others. Take only a small portion the first time the food goes around. It’s only once everyone has gotten their fill that it would be considered polite to get a second portion.
Take What's in Front of You
We get it, some parts look more appetizing than others! But trust us, you do not want to be digging around in a big plate of food while everyone watches you pick the best pieces for yourself. During a meal, it is considered impolite – not to mention a little gross – to be seen digging around a plate, especially if you use your own utensils. This is particularly true for courses such as noodles or steamed fish. Avoid doing this and simply take the part nearest you.
At the same time, once you take a piece, do not change your mind and put it back. Once you grab hold of a portion, simply bring your plate forward, put the serving atop it, and keep the food moving along.
Be Aware of Chopstick Placement
Chinese people are superstitious by culture and one of the biggest taboos is sticking chopsticks into food (particularly rice). This is because offerings to the deceased have usually been presented this way; as such, this is seen as a symbol of death. Make sure to place your chopsticks flat on your plate or onto the side of the food and never stick it into your meal or main course.
