Traditionally, Chinese drink wine only when eating. It is believed that alcohol should be consumed slowly to enhance the pleasure. Drinking in China has long been associated, moreover, with establishing new friendships or personal, political or business relations. When drinking, Chinese often play drinking games. The goal is not to get drunk, but for fun. The aim is to heighten drinking atmosphere. One popular game is finger guessing. Typically, Chinese do not frequent Western-style bars, and public drunkenness rouses look of disapproval and displeasure from others.

At a formal dinner, it is not polite to drink wine or liquor by oneself. Hosts and guests usually exchange toasts and speeches. Liquor may be served for toasts. Beer and soft drinks are also available for the same purpose. At the beginning of a formal dinner, the host is likely to make a short speech to welcome the guests and propose a toast in their honor. At this time, the guests need only accept these gestures graciously. Towards the end of the meal, the senior guest should give a return speech of gratitude for the hospitality and propose an appropriate toast. Usually before the meal ends, the host thanks the guests for coming or offers a final toast. As a rule, toasts are necessary at banquets. If you really can’t drink, you can fill your wine glass with tea instead. If you happen to be the “object” of numerous toasts, it is perfectly acceptable, moreover, to raise your glass to your lips and lick the wine lightly. Ganbei is a popular toast tern in China, which means “empty your glass” or “bottom up”.

This article by Yang Tianqing and Daniel Kister.