Serving Chinese Tea - An Act of Humility

Posted by Thomas Shaw on April 28th, 2019

Chinese tea is greater than just a beverage, it's an experience, a culture and a way of life. For the Chinese, serving tea is an act of humility that the server shows his willingness to be within a position of subservience to the recipient. Get more details about китайский чай купить

In Chinese culture, serving tea functions prominently in a lot of rituals. A couple is just not deemed married till they serve tea to their parents and elders. Traditionally, the couple serve their parents tea on their knees, signifying their gratitude to their parents and for the son-in-law or daughter-in-law, a willingness to serve the parents-in-laws as they would their own parents.

The following application may not be so frequent this days but in the olden days when a teacher takes a disciple, the disciple serves him tea at the same time to show his submission for the teacher. Not surprising since in Chinese culture, a teacher is like a father. When you watched any Kung fu show, you would hear the planet 'Shifu' which combines the words teacher and father. This illustrates the high regard disciples hold for their teachers and therefore ahead of they are inducted within the school, tea has to be served.

More generally, even right now will be the act of a public apology. Inside the old days, people didn't take out a newspaper advertisement to apologize, the perpetrator serves tea to signify his sincerity in apologizing and commonly at a public place. When the tea is drank, it signifies a willingness to forgive.

In a Chinese home, the culture of humility continues. The host would go through a somewhat elaborate ceremony to serve tea to his guest and the guests is normally served very first.

In actual fact, the protocol is as follows:

Guest just before host,

Ladies ahead of men,

Guest of honor prior to other guests

and elders ahead of the young.

Tea cups are handed out in a counter-clockwise path, ending inside the host, signifying the guest as welcome as they are ushered in.

In return, the guest should really tap his cup with two fingers when he's getting served by the host as a symbol of respect.

As you can see, serving tea for the guest is an act of humility and hospitality, not merely provision of simple wants.

Nowadays, we can incorporate this into our business culture. Whenever you are taking consumers out for a business lunch, generally pour them tea before serving yourself.

Or when you are in the service retail business, you may consider serving Chinese tea for your buyer, even better if you brewed it for them. If you're a private banker for instance, you may display your willingness to be in subservience to your client as well as the gesture relaxes him or her, opening up for any extra rewarding discussion.

Attempt it, show your humility by serving Chinese tea to your guest or client.