Joining a shared meal

公筷 · gōngkuài. serving chopsticks.

A green teapot and two cups on a wooden tea tray
Etiquette公筷gōngkuàiserving chopsticks

Several dishes arrive for everyone at the table.

What to do

Use serving chopsticks or a serving spoon when provided. At a formal meal, let the host guide seating and the start of the meal.

Context

Keep eating utensils separate from shared serving utensils. Rest chopsticks neatly instead of leaving them upright in a bowl of rice.

Useful phrase

Please bring us a pair of serving chopsticks.

请给我们一双公筷。Qǐng gěi wǒmen yì shuāng gōngkuài.