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Grace Oxenreider Chinese Eating Explained Adapted from the CNN Travel Article

Every country has their own interesting eating habits. The Chinese in particular have some very strange habits, but I’m here to explain them. First off, never place your chopsticks upright in the rice. Although it’s handy and an easy way to grab them, it signifies death. The two chopsticks upright remind Chinese people of the incense sticks they burn when a loved one has passed away. Instead, in a true Chinese restaurant, there is usually a stand for your chopsticks. You can avoid this issue pretty easily.

In China, noodles are the equivalent of birthday cake. Noodles stand for longevity, so it’s considered cutting your life short if you cut the noodles. Especially on the day of your birth. This doesn’t mean that you have to slurp up the entire noodle, though. Biting the noodle is considered alright, so that you don’t eat the whole thing at once and look like a chipmunk. Only cutting noodles with a knife or chopstick is considered bad.

One final bit of proper etiquette is to always make sure you order an even number of dishes. Traditionally, you should order a dish for everyone plus one more. However, if you have an even number of people in your party and adding one more will make it odd, then just stick with the main number. Adding one more and making it odd is only done at funeral meals, but you’re safe at informal meetings (such as with friends). No one’s counting.