Tea ceremony

[sun888_99]

Dear cecil,
Is it true that chinese people are very particular about the tea ceremony. That there is a different ettiquet for serving and drinking chinese tea. Thanks.

[Cecil Lee]

Dear Anon,
To the Chinese people, especially those who know the proper Chinese Tea ceremony will follow the sitting arrangements similar to the concepts found in the Ming Tang Wei.
Under this concept, guests should be sitting west and the host should sit facing east. The location facing south is reserved for the king.
While the guest of honour or the most eldest guest sit facing the host while the younger guest sits to the left of the eldest left and the next younger sits the right of the eldest.
In the original ancient Korean ceremony is actually meant to sit four guests on one table.
On the table for the tea ceremony, one would find:-
1. A tea-plate,
2. the tea-pot
3. Four tea cups
4. the tea cups plate
5. Tray with spoon and cloth
6. The kettle stand.
On the right of the host's seat is the kettle, fan, stove and iron chopsticks.
On the host's left is a "spitoon".
For the more modern Chinese, I believe they never heard of know of such a ceremony. Most probably you will be offered a can of Coke or pepsi or even a glass of Lipton tea:)
Warmest Regards,
Cecil

Quote

On 10/31/99 1:39:39 AM, Anonymous wrote:
Dear cecil,
Is it true that chinese people
are very particular about the
tea ceremony. That there is a
different ettiquet for serving
and drinking chinese tea.
Thanks.