Summary
Chinese Drinking Etiquette, Toasts, and How to Survive
Knowing how to say cheers in Chinese and understanding important rules of Chinese drinking etiquette are crucial for navigating a booze-heavy encounter in China, whether it is for business or pleasure. Fiery baijiu, the local spirit of choice, ranges between 40% to 60% alcohol by volume and often fuels business, banquets, and other social gatherings.
The ability to empty a glass without flinching is often strongly tied to the concept of saving face. Good-natured drinking competitions between adjacent tables sometimes emerge after one party challenges another. You may find yourself running a cultural gauntlet of strong shots, toasts, drinking games, and possibly even karaoke! Knowing how to say hello in Chinese can help you greet new friends.
If you anticipate attending a banquet with drinking sessions, it is wise to familiarize yourself with Chinese table manners beforehand. Your performance during the meal will significantly influence how others perceive you at the table.
How to Say Cheers in Chinese
The default toast in China is ganbei (sounds like: “gon bay”) which literally means “dry cup.” Unlike in the West, participants are expected to empty their cup after each toast or, at the very least, make a genuine effort to do so.
If you are fortunate enough to hear a rare banbei during the session, you can take a sigh of relief: it permits you to drink only half of your glass without facing disapproval.
A few communication tips will certainly prove beneficial as the language barrier may complicate interactions. Moreover, knowing some useful Chinese phrases can help you win a few smiles.
Is It OK Not to Drink?
If everyone else at the table is drinking, you will likely feel immense pressure to participate—particularly in business settings. Unless you are a monk or pregnant, there is usually an expectation to match drink for drink with your hosts. An even more daunting scenario includes trying to keep pace with a company’s elected drinking representatives. Yes, this is a common occurrence!
If you opt not to drink, it’s essential to communicate your intentions clearly from the beginning. For many situations, it is essentially an all-or-nothing choice. Drinking sporadically—skipping toasts here and there—or consuming only a small amount is typically deemed socially unacceptable.
While you might receive lighthearted teasing for not being able to keep up, maintaining a sense of humor can be advantageous. The group will appreciate your ability to laugh at yourself and take a joke!
How to Get Out of Drinking in China
The Chinese often use small white lies to save face during such occasions; you may do the same. Valid excuses for avoiding drinking include health issues, a doctor’s instructions, medications, or even religious reasons, such as a fabricated version of Lent. Women are often excused from drinking more easily than men but may also participate as much as they desire. Regardless, non-drinkers may still receive good-natured teasing.
As a laowai (foreigner), you may attract attention, and others might eagerly fill your glass between toasts. Consequently, you should not expect to simply take half-full shots for each ganbei. As the guest of honor, you’ll likely find smiling friends lining up to refill your glass.
Beer, Wine, or Baijiu?
One clever way to limit your alcohol intake is to opt for beer instead of the stronger baijiu. Your hosts may not mind your drink choice, as long as you finish your glass for each ganbei. Just in case, ask the server for a beer (in Chinese, “beer” is pijiu; it sounds like “pee-joo”).
Tsingtao is a popular beer in China and is relatively light. Red wine is also sometimes available, but be prepared to drink it in gulping shots.
Chinese Drinking Games
Entertaining drinking games often provide simple amusement during heavy drinking sessions. A favorite game involves guessing the number of fingers, where participants shout numbers at each other and face penalties for incorrect guesses. The game is not merely random chance; strategy plays a significant role. Don’t expect to be victorious very often if you are just learning!
Some dice are used in Chinese games, but more commonly, all you need are fingers and a little trickery. The Chinese finger-counting system, employed for denoting prices and quantities, differs slightly from the system most are accustomed to.
Chinese Drinking Etiquette
- The primary consideration while drinking in formal settings is to “give face” to your hosts and others. Do not point out flaws or mistakes, even if someone has food stuck to their face! Humility is an esteemed virtue; kindly deflect compliments while directing many at others.
- The most senior host at a banquet will initiate the first toast; taking this opportunity from them is considered rude. Stand and raise your glass during formal toasts when others at the table do so.
- Do not drink alone; wait until a toast is made and then join in with the group.
- Refilling someone’s glass for them is a courtesy and will usually be reciprocated. If no one has offered yet, refill your glass right after a toast so that you’re prepared for the next round.
- Seating will be arranged based on status and seniority. Offer your toast to those on either side and clink glasses accordingly. After the initial round of toasts, people may move around the table to toast others.
- When toasting someone of higher status, lower your glass slightly to clink.
- Use your right hand to hold your glass when toasting and drinking. You can place your left hand under the glass to show greater respect during a toast.
- When handing something to someone, do so with both hands and receive items in the same manner.
- Tipping is not customary in China! Your host is likely to cover the bill, so there is no need to leave a tip or offer to “chip in.”
Conducting Business While Drinking
Many business relationships in China are established over copious amounts of alcohol. Unfortunately, your capacity to handle drink for drink with the group may influence future business dealings. Companies sometimes bring along younger professionals or skilled drinkers to serve as their elected drinking representatives.
While it is acceptable to set the stage for discussing business matters at the table, the drinking session primarily aims to foster a personal connection for future collaboration—possibly even at a late-night karaoke venue. For obvious reasons, this social gathering is not the appropriate setting for signing contracts or making critical decisions!
