© Copyright Chris McMillan and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.
(Every so often, we here at 8Asians get e-mails asking for advice. Here is one from contributor Jeff (me) asking about what to do when invited to a Chinese New Year banquet.)
My family has been invited to a Chinese New Year dinner with a couple who usually spends Chinese New Year in Asia. They have invited my extended family, all six of us, to what will be a sumptuous dinner at a local Chinese restaurant. While being Asian but not Chinese and having never been to a real Chinese New year’s dinner, I had the following questions:
- Who pays? The hosts, since they invited? Should I split the bill with them? Should I attempt to split the bill?
- Should I bring anything? If so, what?
- Is a gift appropriate? If so, what should it be?
- Is there anything else that I should do to be appropriate (such as things to wear or not to wear)?
What advice do you have for Jeff?
