A few Chinese eating etiquettes for people that are going to China or a Chinese restaurant to dine.

Don't start eating until everyone is ready -- especially in a formal setting. Once everyone is ready, the head of the table will usually say something like "seck fan" (literally, "eat rice") or give some other indication that everyone can eat. Maybe he (or she) will even start him/herself, indicating that everyone else can dive in.

If a particularly tasty morsel is on the other end of the table and you can't reach without lunging, you're usually better off standing up to give yourself a better angle at which to grab your piece.

Don't be afraid to shovel rice into your mouth by putting the bowl to your mouth like everyone else -- it certainly looks better than picking up pieces of rice with your chopsticks and trying to get them in.

If someone picks up a piece of food and puts it in your bowl, say thanks. They are trying to help you and are being gracious hosts.

When eating meat with bones, don't be afraid to spit out the bones onto the table -- that's what everyone else will be doing!

Once you've finished, put the chopsticks horizontally down on the table or the plate -- do not put it on top of the bowl.

Never hold your chopsticks vertically pointing straight up or at anyone -- this is very bad luck in Chinese terms. Indeed, don't point anything -- such as a finger -- at anyone.

Don't help to clear the dishes while someone else is still eating -- this is considered impolite, and implies you are trying to hurry everyone along.