What’s the importance of seating at the wine table?

The seats on the Chinese wine table are very particular. The particularity varies according to the people sitting at the wine table. It is divided into wine tables where family and friends are not so particular, and wine tables where the host and guest are clearly distinguished. table and so on. Let’s talk about the latter in detail next.

The host entertaining guests is one of the most common, most important and most demanding forms of the wine table. Its general principle is: "Do as guests please and treat guests as the host." That is to say, as a host, you have the responsibility and obligation to guide your distinguished guests to the most distinguished position. As a guest, you should sit in the corresponding position according to the instructions of the host. This is easy to understand. But in many practical situations, some guests do not understand, or some guests are very understanding but do not sit on the main seat out of politeness, humility and other reasons. At this time, the host only needs to sincerely give way, or even let the host sit down. If the guest still doesn't move after a few times, then there is no need to give in anymore. Just treat the guest with respect. Respecting his choice is also a form of respect. It does not mean that the greatest respect must be shown by having the guest sit at the head table.

Then comes the confirmation of the theme. Remember, there is only one person at each table, which means it is unique. In our country, it is usually respected with "facing the door". It implies the broadest view and a panoramic view of the mountains and hills.

For such a wine table with the main seat as the center, the closer the left and right sides are to it, the more respectable its position is, until the position where the door is invisible with its back to the door. Relatively lowest. As we all know, that is usually the aisle where food is served. Therefore, people who know the rules will not let guests sit in that seat, even if they are secondary guests. There are two main seating arrangements for the host and guests other than the host and guest. One is that the host sits on the left and the guest sits on the right; the other is that the host and guest sit staggered. Note here that after the main position is determined, the principle of "respecting the left" will be followed in many cases, that is, the host and companion on the left side of the main position is the master's position. Then line up in order.

But sometimes, the actual situation is more complicated. For example, sometimes the host of the treat has a more respected status than the host and guest. For example, if the guests have more than one status that is higher than the host, then this is the case. The host is required to do solid homework on the basis of mastering the principles, and arrange in advance how many people will sit across from him and how many people will sit on his side. If it's the former, you have to consider sitting at the main seat, and the people on the left and right sides, and the people on the other sides, etc.; if it's the latter, you have to consider the habits of the guests, because some friends like to sit next to each other when they go out to socialize, and they forcefully pass through each other. It's a bit of a violation of "no intimacy", so if you can't confirm, you can find a way to confirm privately with the guest of honor or other people to see if there are any other considerations. Not violating taboos, in my opinion, is a very important thing.

In addition, the layout of wine tables in many hotels and restaurants can now be very flexible. For example, if necessary, the "main seat" on the wine table can be placed facing the door, which is no longer limited to the one in the past. , you can arrange two as appropriate, which means to sit on equal footing and keep pace with each other. The position of the back door can be arranged without people according to the situation, etc. The above is my understanding of what the Chinese wine table is about.