How to treat traditional Chinese hospitality culture

The traditional culture of a country or a nation is called the most influential soft power. Due to the deep-rooted and far-reaching nature of traditional culture, the role of culture has received more and more attention. Culture can be seen in everything from national governance to business operations. my country's traditional culture has a long history, is extensive and profound, and demonstrates China's core culture in every detail, as can be seen in the way we treat guests.

Let’s talk about visits first. The Chinese nation is hospitable and pays attention to courtesy and reciprocity. Relatives, friends, and neighbors visit each other during the holidays and visit friends during the holidays. Especially during the Spring Festival, it is "must" to come to my house today and your place tomorrow. Even where you go on a certain day is important. For example: on the first day of the Lunar New Year, the younger generation pays New Year greetings to the elders, wishing the elders happiness as good as the East China Sea and longevity as the Nanshan Mountains; after the New Year, they pay New Year greetings to their relatives, on the first day of the Lunar New Year they pay New Year greetings to their parents, on the second day of the Lunar New Year they pay New Year greetings to their in-laws, and on the third day of the Lunar New Year they pay New Year greetings to their relatives. Classmates, colleagues, friends, collaborators, and neighbors should also pay New Year greetings to each other. Otherwise, you will get the reputation of "ignorant" or "not eating the fireworks of the world".

Secondly, let’s talk about accommodation. When visiting relatives and friends, if you stay overnight, there is knowledge in wherever you stay. Once, I accompanied my buddy to Harbin to visit my junior sister (godsister). After we had had enough wine and food, we were waiting for them to take us to a hotel to stay. Unexpectedly, the old girl said: "You guys should take a shower and go to bed early. The British army (brother-in-law) has packed the room for you, and the bedding has just been dried during the day." Living at home, this is the best hospitality. If you arrive, you will not be accommodated at home. Think about it, who would return to their parents and brothers’ homes and still live outside as long as conditions permit?

Look at the meal again. What you eat and who you eat with are also very particular. Some time ago, a friend called me and said, "If you have time to come to Beijing, come to my home first and let your sister-in-law and nephew accompany you and your family for a meal and a chat." Having family members accompany you is a kind of treatment. It is also tradition to accompany one's closest friends and those with the most status, which reflects the dignity and importance of the guests. Last year, I accompanied a friend to Hongze Lake to visit a friend he hadn't seen for many years. The large dining table was packed with close relatives, dignitaries, and close friends. Of course, as for what to eat, it goes without saying. Of course, it should be the best at home, the most unique local food, and what you can’t eat elsewhere. My cousin often mentioned the wine he drank when he was a guest in the countryside, and his words were full of emotion. He said, "That was the 'best' wine. My uncle found it by rummaging through the cabinets. It tasted great." In fact, even though it was the best wine in my uncle's house, it only cost a few dollars a bottle at that time.

Traditional Chinese culture can be seen in every detail of hospitality. Of course, due to the deepening of global "integration", the conflict and integration of Eastern and Western cultures, and the progress of mankind, some traditional hospitality habits have gradually disappeared, some have been improved, and some have been introduced and updated. For example, serving food to guests at the dinner table is a sign of hospitality. Nowadays, it is not as popular and "enthusiastic" as before. The meaning will still be expressed, but it will not be "forced". We no longer use our own chopsticks, but use public chopsticks.

Society is developing, civilization is progressing, and we are also keeping pace with the changes of the times. But we should not lose the essence of traditional customs and traditional culture. It is the embodiment of our traditional core culture