What is the meaning of the saying 'If you don't put three dishes, chopsticks don't make five, and you don't sit at six'? table manners

Introduction: As the saying goes, "If you don't put three dishes, chopsticks won't make five, and you won't sit six." Why? Should look at table manners.

China is an ancient civilization with a long history and has attached great importance to etiquette since ancient times. Because etiquette is not only a person's self-cultivation, but also respect for others.

Speaking of etiquette, this reminds the author of my hometown. If someone is holding a banquet at home, he usually arranges seats according to the status of the guests. Some people are young, but they have a big generation. Even a child can be a chairperson. If he wasn't there, he wouldn't have started.

I believe that many of my friends who grew up in the countryside or have eaten rural banquets have similar experiences. However, what the author wants to tell you today is another table manners: do you know what it means? Does it make sense? let us see!

Let's take a look at "Dishes Don't Put Three" first.

It is estimated that many people have heard of this old rule. Its literal meaning is also quite simple. This means that when placing dishes, do not place three dishes in a line. In other words, when eating, try not to eat just three dishes.

Some people may be confused. There are three or four people in their family, and they usually eat two meals and one soup, which is exactly three people. Why can't I put three dishes?

In fact, there is also a prerequisite here, which is to not serve three dishes when the guests come home, let alone put them in a line. Since guests are coming from home, they must take guests very seriously if they still leave each other at home for dinner. But if you only serve three dishes to your guests, it will make the guests feel like they don't value them.

Meanwhile, in ancient times, only prisoners could eat three dishes before execution, and the three dishes were arranged in a row due to the poor conditions of the cells and prisons. So, if you serve a three-course meal, people will think it's a food "cooked meal".

In some places, when offering sacrifices, they usually prepare three dishes, which are often arranged in a row, so it is unlucky to serve guests with three dishes. Some places are right "San" and "San" which are a homophone and the meaning behind it is that this food has the potential to drive away guests.

Let's take a look at "Chopsticks Don't Make Five".

It's a little hard to understand. Can't you put five pairs of chopsticks on the table? But in fact, it's not. Its deep meaning is that guests go home. In this way, we should pay attention to the placement of chopsticks. Try to make the chopsticks the same length. Do not entertain guests with long and short chopsticks.

Because there is a word among the people - three long and two short. If the chopsticks on the table are of different lengths, it is easy to think that the word "three long and two short" mainly refers to unexpected disasters or accidents, and is also a euphemism for human death. Three long and two short add up to five, so there are some sayings that "chopsticks are not five".

In fact, it also reflects the host's attention to the guests. Because if you are an important guest, you are sure to pay great attention to detail and not use two chopsticks for the guest.

In addition, people also attach great importance to chopsticks. Chopsticks are round and square, symbolizing the round sky and place. In addition, the length of standard chopsticks is 7.6 inches, which means that people have seven emotions and six desires, which shows that they are fundamentally different from animals.

Also, when using chopsticks, do not hit the plate with the chopsticks. In the past, when children tapped their plates with chopsticks, they were scolded or even punished by their elders. At the same time, it is also taboo to insert chopsticks vertically into the rice. We must pay attention to this.

Finally, take a look at "Seats Don't Sit Six".

This means trying not to sit at a table of six, either four or eight, and avoid six people sitting at the same table for dinner.

In the past, the author's hometown also had such pressures. If someone had a banquet at home and there were only six people, he would arrange for the other two, or two at another table. The reason is that I used to eat at a square table.

If two people sit at a table, usually two people sit on the left and right and one person above and below. This layout looks like a turtle. Although the turtle is a folk beast, no one wants to be a turtle. Also, things related to turtles are often curses.

However, this was also in the past, usually when entertaining guests. Many homes these days have long and round tables, and the old rules don't apply.

While times are developing, many rules have been gradually phased out. But for some seniors, they still take these old rules very seriously. Especially when it comes to socializing, table manners are very important.

You may not care about a small gesture, but if the other person takes it seriously, it will leave a bad impression on you. So even the old rules should be heard and understood.