Since the ancient time, China had the custom of treating the guests with tea. As early as in 3000 years ago, that is, Zhou Dynasty, tea was regarded as gift and tribute. The teachers who teach you Chinese culture may tell you that treating guests with tea has become the social custom in social relationship. Yan Zhenqing in Tang Dynasty ever described the scene of drinking tea in his poem. Liu Zhenliang thought that drinking tea is helpful in keeping health and also show respect.
In modern society, respecting and treating the guests with tea has become the popular ritual in daily communication and the common family life. However, people should pay attention to some details when drinking tea. Just like the saying goes that wine should be filled fully but tea just half. Therefore, when you fill tea for the others, it is better to serve the amount of 80% of the cup. In addition, the water should not be too hot in order to avoid that the guests are hurt.
If there are more than two guests are drinking tea, the color of the tea you serve should be equal. Besides, you should hold the bottom of the tea plate with your left hand and use your right hand to support the edge of the plate. Those who learn Chinese online free may know that the tea cakes should be placed in the right front of the guests if there are some and the tea cup should be in the right of the cakes.
When serving tea, you should take out the tea cup with right hands and watch the guests with smile. Sometimes, you may serve the guests with coffee or black tea. In this case, the cup ear and the handle of the teaspoon should be placed toward the right side of the guests. In addition, you should prepare a bag of granulated sugar, putting on besides the cup or on small plate to provide convenience to the guests.
Of course, those who study Mandarin in China should also pay attention to the behavior of the guests. They should also show the respect by receiving with both hands and nod to show gratitude. When drinking tea, you had better have small amount each time. You can also praise the host for the tea properly. In all, serving tea has become the daily ritual of Chinese people, showing the individual‘s morality.