Table of Contents
Chinese Wine Culture
The Chinese have a common belief that the best means to show their hospitality is by toasting glasses of wine. It is through toasting and continuous drinking that their friends and guests get a glimpse of the friendship and hospitality they wish to portray (Capitello et al. 2016). The joy that the Chinese people draw from the presence of their friends and guests is directly proportional to the drunkenness states of the latter. The drunker their guests are, the happier they become. When the visitors get drunk, it becomes a show of regard for them and a liking for their food. However, when the visitors don’t get drunk, it lowers their spirits and makes them feel sorry for themselves because their guests did not enjoy their meals and wine (Yuan et al. 2015).
Notably, it is often quite difficult not to get drunk. This is because the Chinese people have been carrying fascinating wise sayings from generation to generation that instill the urge in both friends and guests to drink to their fill. “Do not leave until drunk, shallow feeling, take a sip,” (Leidy 2015) just to mention but a few. Consequently, it’s hard not to get drunk since the sayings have modifications that draw a powerful urge, polite urge or punishing urge (Leidy 2015). It is up to them to use the appropriate one depending on the physique of the guests. The polite urge is a show of the traditional morals of the Chinese nation and is a reservation for guests. The powerful urge is usually for close friends while a punishing urge is a unique toasting mechanism by the Chinese.
Variations in Chinese Wine Culture
South and North China have a vast range of differences in perceptions and stereotypes. The variations include wine cultures.
The Company
The people of South China have a heavier emphasis on the person around you while drinking the wine. They have slight concern towards the drink one drinks. However, as for the North Chinese people’s wine culture, they give considerable attention to both the drink and the company (Yuan et al. 2015). They believe that having company around while drinking is a show of generosity. Drinking alone for them wouldn’t be somehow satisfying as having a guest at the table accompanying them in the drinking.
Cheers and Toasts
In South China, there is no greater or deeper meaning associated with either cheers or making a toast. However, in North China, Cheers translates to an empty glass. This implies that both parties have the obligation of draining their glasses (Peterson & Peterson 2015). Also, making a toast is usually meant for particular people. In the sense that the individual who calls for the toast intends to say that he/she will finish the glass of wine, but the other party can go on at will and leisure. They feel that guests bring forth blessings and letting them eat and drink to their fill clears their conscience and paves the way for more blessings. Consequently, the amount of wine that one takes after a toast is tied to the respect he/she accords them.
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