Evening Republican, Volume 15, Number 18, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 January 1911 — Tea Etiquette in China [ARTICLE]

Tea Etiquette in China

Some of the Formalities to be Observed at a Business Interview.

It has grown to bo customary In tb« United States to consider any practise of so old a country as China •a being of barbaric or heathenish origin and often as crude or uncivilized in its nature. A young American Just returning from a three years* business trip in China which took him all over the empire tells of a custom practised by the Chinese which might well be used to advantage in this young and inexperienced republic, where too little time or thought Is given to the finer points of etiquette. When a salesman or person seeking a business interview presents his card at the entrance to a Chinese merchant’s place of business the possibility of an audience depends altogether upon how he deports himself while awaiting the return of the card bearer. Should he be so indiscreet as to put one foot over a twelve inch

railing that intervenes between the step and the doorway no manner of persuasion can prevail upon the merchant to grant him an interview. In case he waits patiently in the space allotted to unknown callers this fact is noted and he is usually ushered In. Once in there Is still a more delicate matter to be disposed of. and in ease the newcomer is ignorant of the custom he fares 111 with his errand. Immediately upon the caller’s entering and taking a seat a servant brings a serving of tea, which includes a small cup for each person present. The point of etiquette demands that this tea shall not be touched until the guest is ready to depart in case the interview has been a pleasant one. in which case the caller is supposed to take up and drink his tea at parting and at this signal all the others do likewise. However, should It

so happen that the Chinaman Is not pleased with his caller and is in any way annoyed by him the merchant takes up the tea and begins to drink at once, w’hich act is a direct and decided hint that the interview' is ended and has not been to the pleasure of the merchant. The caller is then expected to take his immediate departure. When a caller has become well acquainted so eof the formality is broken by the Chinese, and on a cold day a cup of tea is served Immediately to the guest in a social way. But the “formal" tea is still to be observed and partaken of at parting, irrespective of tne cup given to warm and greet the caller on his arrival. This, however, is done only after many visits, when the business dealings have been of such a nature as to warrant friendship and this hospitality.— Youth's Companion.