Chinese people are very hospitable. They like inviting people to their home for a meal, or taking their guests to a nearby restaurant. When visiting friends, you are expected to bring something with you, even if your hosts have told you 什么都别带，我们什么都有(Don't bring anything, we have got everything). Fruit such as apples and melons are common gifts. They are not specifically chosen for your host or hostess, just something that you bring along with you so that you don't arrive empty-handed! During Chinese Spring Festival, 红包 (red bag money) is given to youngsters in the family (usually a 100 yuan note per red bag).

Chinese people use chopsticks to eat. Each person is given a bowl of rice and helps himself to meat and vegetables available on plates in the middle of the table. A family of three people will usually have three separate main dishes as well as a soup. When there are guests at home, meals can be 'fancier'. There would probably be a choice of cold dishes such as sweet lotus, sliced cucumber, marinated peanuts, etc., to be served as starters, followed by two to three hot dishes, usually meat and seasonal vegetables. At the end of the meal, a nutritious soup, such as a long-stewed duck soup, or a sweet 'dim-sum' style soup with glutinous rice balls, is served. There is also fruit. Rice is not expected to be served as a course at such feasts, as your host would want you to experience as many dishes as possible, rather than being filled up with rice. Rice would therefore be provided on a small individual plate to be used as a base for other dishes. You are supposed to leave bones on a plate: in a restaurant, waiters and waitresses will change your 'bone plate' from time to time, as part of the service. Your host will be very happy if you comment positively on the food and say 味道好极了！(Really tasty!)