Dining Table Revolution in China

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Table of Contents

Article Summary
Internal and External Causes of the Change
Conclusions
References

The fact that the Covid-19 pandemic has altered the habitual lifestyle and affected a variety of fields is undeniable. Even though the new coronavirus infection was revealed more than a year ago, it is still continuing to shape modern reality. Its impact spread on eating habits and changed food culture specialties to some extent. For instance, in China, the “dining table revolution” happened, as people could not adhere to the tradition of using chopsticks and sharing food due to the risk of coronavirus spreading (Qin, 2020, para. 5). Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to look into this topic, review the recent article in this regard, outline the internal and external causes of these changes, and present own conclusions.

Article Summary

The article Coronavirus Threatens China’s Devotion to Chopsticks and Sharing Food, written by Amy Qin and published in The New York Times, is helpful for providing an in-depth insight into this issue. At the beginning of the text, the author describes the tradition of sharing food in China and its significance for the residents. Amy Qin highlights that it implies a way of showing love and caring for the nearest and dearest people. She states, “Parents pick up choice morsels and place them in their children’s bowls as an expression of love; children serve their grandparents to show their respect; and bosses do it as a gesture of magnanimity toward their employees” (Qin, 2020, para. 2).

Therefore, it is evident that this habit appears to be ubiquitous among Chinese. However, the government is worried about the safety of this tradition in the context of the coronavirus pandemic. The problem implies the fact that the Chinese frequently stick to eating from communal plates. In addition, they use the same pair of chopsticks to eat from them and serve others (Qin, 2020). Double tipping increases the risk of spreading Covid-19 infection among the broad public (Qin, 2020). For this reason, the government recommends applying the second pair of chopsticks only for serving.

This event is called the ‘dining table revolution’, which is supported by a number of state news agencies and infectious disease experts. A slogan, which is presented across the entire country: “the distance between you and civilized dining is just one pair of serving chopsticks” (Qin, 2020, para. 5). This tendency is also supported by restaurants: they offer special discounts for the ones with the second pair of chopsticks.

However, the resistance among the population appears to be significant. Qin describes real cases, demonstrating the unwillingness of the Chinese to follow the advice. People perceive it as a way of showing their attitude to a person (Qin, 2020). Moreover, the author mentions: “wheat-eating northerners, and particularly the men, take pride in what Chinese call “eating big and drinking big,” without care for such petty concerns as germs and bacteria” (Qin, 2020, para. 10). Thus, such people are not likely to stick to the recommendation quickly. In addition, the habit of using a single pair of chopsticks and sharing food is so deep-rooted that people are embarrassed to adhere to new rules (Qin, 2020). In some cases, even though the Chinese attempt to shape their habit, they forget to change the utensils (Qin, 2020). Therefore, despite the safety intentions of the government, a significant number of Chinese resist this change, though it is possible to note the change, which is happening in the food culture.

Internal and External Causes of the Change

In this unique case of changing some aspect of food culture, the internal and external cause is similar. The major reason for the ‘dining table revolution’ is the pandemic of the new coronavirus inflections, which spreads extremely quickly and easily (Could COVID-19 bring about a dining table revolution in China?, 2020). Although Covid-19 was initially revealed within the territory of China, today, it has become a problem of a global scale (China asks, 2020). The governments of all the countries, including the Chinese one, are interested in limiting the coronavirus spreading in order to relieve the pressure on the healthcare system (Kuo, 2020). It cannot cope with a large number of infected patients, as hospital settings and clinics lack enough places (Kuo, 2020). This situation is characteristic for all the stated worldwide, and, therefore, in this context, the cause of food culture change is both internal and external.

These days, it is scientifically proved that the Chinese tradition of sharing food implies transmitting bacteria from one organism to another. One of the experiments revealed: “the level of bacteria in dishes for which serving chopsticks were used was as little as 0.4 percent the level of dishes shared in the regular fashion” (Qin, 2020, para. 10). Consequently, it is undeniable that this tradition contributes to spreading the infection and minimizes the positive outcome of all the preventative measures (Dandan, 2020; (China asks, 2020). For this reason, the government insists on using two pairs of chopsticks.

Conclusions

As it is evident from the reviewing food culture change in China, the major reason for such a revolution may be explained by modern reality. In some cases, table manners and particular etiquette rules may become obsolete, and following them may involve a number of difficulties and inconvenience. In the example of using two pairs of chopsticks, the determinant of the Covid-19 pandemic and determination to prevent the increase of spreading it among the population (China asks, 2020). Such a habit does not match hygienic considerations, which have become crucial in the context of present-day developments.

Another important aspect of food culture changes, which can be noted in this case, implies the fact that it frequently takes a significant period of time. People are used to particular traditions to a large extent, and they feel embarrassed to abandon them, unwilling to offend others, despite safety considerations. Furthermore, people tend to attach importance to food culture as a way of communicating and showing their appreciation. Therefore, they feel inconvenient when they are required to shape their behavior. In this context, food culture changes may be realized only after some time.

The last meaningful factor in this regard implies public opinion. The majority of people are extremely concentrated on which impression on others they transmit. As it has been mentioned in the paper, some people are willing to demonstrate their bravery and hardiness by refusing to follow the rules. Others are worried about the feelings of people, who surround them. They are feared that their behavior may offend them and show disrespect. Although in the modern world, it is evident that food culture is not so significant in revealing appreciation, they cannot overcome stereotypes. From my perspective, it is more effective to show affirmation via decent behavior, and food culture is not demonstrative in this context.