Visitors to China will find the food is most enjoyable when accompanied with white spirits. For some people drinking means more than an enjoyment. When eating with Chinese from northern and western China, where lots of people are alcohol drinkers and they love to drink heavy spirit, one might be lucky to be able to leave the table on one's own feet.
When you suggest a toast, you need to say "ganbei" (the Chinese expression for "cheers"). But this will really means "empty the cup", and you are the one who supposed to finish your glass first. Your glass should be filled to the brim because Chinese consider it a matter of hospitality and sincerity. Never mind of the precious liquor spills, because that has become part of the host's effort to show his hospitality. Once your first glass is empty, you will be forced to suggest the second and the third toasts in many places in China. Three is considered a lucky number, at least at the drinking table. Only 3 toasts in a row can convey your good-will best to your new friends. You may be more accustomed back home to sipping wine or whiskey from a half-filled glass while chatting with friends. Do not do that in China. You have to finish each toast in a single gulp.
Sometimes, as a banquet heats up, the Chinese may begin "finger-guessing" games to decide who should drink. Such games
vary in technique from place to place, although all are aiming at making the opponent drink more than he can handle. These games can be complicated. However, there are simple games, which one can master in a matter of seconds. The players, stimulated with liquor, are usually noisy and many restaurants, in the interest of other diners, forbid such games. For that eventually, drinking game lovers have invented silent "finger game", although the quietness is soon broken by the excite winners. The prohibition of such games, while making the eating quieter, keeps away some restaurant customers who grumble about the "lack of atmosphere".
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