66 CultureShock! China
A meal involves a great deal of celebration. Mid-way
through shouts of gombei will begin as people start to
challenge one another to drinking matches. It is thought to
be inhospitable to let the glass of the person next to you go
empty. Accompanied with the drinking is laughing, joking,
story-telling and teasing.
At the end of the meal, it is a point of pride to wrestle the
bill from the waiter and pay it. Winning the right to pay the
bill demonstrates your goodwill and affection toward the
people that shared the meal with you.Visiting Someone’s Home
It is a great honour to be invited to someone’s home in China.
Most Chinese entertain in restaurants rather than at home.
This stems from the fact that until recently, many homes
were small government-issued flats, oftentimes sectioned
off from larger houses and shared by multiple families. It
is only in the last ten years, with a government focused on
transitioning people to modern housing, and with the ability
to purchase better space to live in afforded by an increase in
discretionary income, that Chinese people have had homes
that they were proud to share with guests.Enjoying a meal together is the most common way for family, friends and
colleagues to get together.