157: Drinking table culture

Everyone also noticed the change in Zheng Tie's expression; he had been a very straightforward man when they were sitting and chatting earlier, but now his face was red and he was fidgeting, making it obvious what was going on.

Bai Dahai stopped Chen Dong, who was about to ask more questions, thinking, 'You're not usually this much of a chatterbox. Can't you see what's happening? Your IQ is worrying!'

He said to Chen Lanxin, "Go ahead! Your sister is in the kitchen."

"Uncle, please take these snails, Crabs, shrimp, and other things to the kitchen!"

Yang Qi openly shirked his duties, handing the basket of seafood to Uncle.

Everyone looked at Zheng Tie with meaningful, knowing smiles, and even the slow-witted Chen Dong finally understood.

"Our tomboy at home might be getting swept off her feet."

Without a word, Zheng Tie, his face red, carried the basket and followed into the kitchen. He didn't come out until the meal was ready, spending the entire time washing various kinds of seafood with Chen Lanxin.

Once all the dishes were on the table, everyone took their seats. As the host, Yang Dad first raised his glass and toasted Bai Dahai and the other guests, one by one, simply thanking his colleagues for their mutual support.

Lunchtime was pleasant, especially for certain people. Uncle also frequently raised his glass, toasting everyone.

His polite remarks were perfectly delivered. First, he thanked his elder sister and brother-in-law, as well as Yang Qi, for their help. Then, he thanked Bai Dahai and his wife for their trust.

He then expressed his hope that Chen Zhongwei and the other two would guide him more in the future. Finally, he vowed to work hard from now on.

His words were powerful and resonant.

Yang Qi's family all knew that Uncle Zheng Tie was a man who valued his promises and relationships, and he could drink at least two and a half catties.

However, these locals didn't know that! This was only the first round, and he had already downed over half a catty of liquor. While moved by Zheng Tie's words, they were all stunned by the drinking capacity of this man, who stood over 1.8 meters tall.

Sitting beside Zheng Tie, Chen Lanxin's eyes sparkled, her heart raced, and her breathing quickened a few beats, deeply affected by his actions. She secretly made up her mind:

"He's the one!"

Yang Qi also decided to help Uncle, and immediately began to fill glasses and toast everyone, thanking all those on the harvest for their hard work.

This put Bai Dahai in a difficult position. He thought to himself, 'You guys can drink a lot, but I can't. I usually only drink half a catty. Oh well, I'll go all out!'

Seeing Bai Dahai slowly stand up, ready to toast everyone, Yang Qi, somewhat aware of his father-in-law's drinking capacity, spoke up to stop him:

"Uncle, just make one general toast. Customs are different; I know you don't have the 'drink all the way through' custom here, so there's no need to imitate our habits."

At these words, the few locals finally breathed a sigh of relief. Bai Dahai was in a great mood, so he followed Yang Qi's advice and made one general toast.

Alcohol is one of the main beverages in human life. China's winemaking history is long-standing, with numerous varieties, famous wines, and a reputation that spans both domestic and international recognition.

Yellow wine is one of the oldest alcoholic beverages in the world, with a history of over 3,000 years. As early as the Shang and Zhou dynasties, Chinese people began to brew yellow wine in large quantities using a unique complex fermentation method with distiller's yeast.

Alcohol permeates the entire five-thousand-year history of Chinese civilization. Alcohol culture is a profound cultural system that uses alcohol as a medium, intertwining history, etiquette, philosophy, art, and social interaction.

From literary and artistic creation, cultural entertainment, to dining and cooking, health preservation, and other aspects, it plays an important role in the lives of Chinese people.

Chinese alcohol culture is, in fact, a social culture. When interacting with Chinese people, regardless of the occasion, true drinking, even at a superficial level, often needs to express content at a spiritual level:

When a guest comes from afar, without alcohol, it is not enough to express deep friendship.

During festive seasons, without alcohol, it is not enough to show joy and contentment.

On days of mourning or remembrance, without alcohol, it is not enough to convey sorrow and heartbreak.

When facing setbacks and difficulties, without alcohol, it is not enough to dispel loneliness and sadness.

When achieving success, without alcohol, it is not enough to express ambition and lofty aspirations.

Chinese drinking etiquette reflects respect for the drinkers. There are fixed seats for the host and guests, and there is also a fixed order for toasting.

When toasting, one should start with the host or the person he has called upon to accompany him in drinking. Before the host has finished toasting, others are not qualified to toast. If the order is disrupted, one will be punished.

Traditional alcohol culture also has many drinking rhymes:

"Deep feelings, down it in one; shallow feelings, just a sip."

"A thousand cups are too few when drinking with a true friend; drink as much as you can."

"Rather a hole in the stomach than a crack in friendship."

"If Qingdao doesn't fall, I won't fall; if Snow doesn't drift, I won't drift."

"If you can drink half a catty, drink a whole catty; such a buddy is the most heartwarming."

Toasting also has many rules. Generally, the host toasts first. Among peers, there is no need to stand up, and glasses do not necessarily need to clink. If far apart, a gentle tap on the table or a raised glass is sufficient.

When toasting elders or superiors, one can toast multiple people at once. When juniors or subordinates toast, it must be one-on-one, standing up or stepping forward to lightly clink glasses, and one's own glass must be lower than the other's, perhaps lowered a few inches, to show respect.

Under normal circumstances, toasting is done in order of age, position, and host/guest status. It is essential to carefully consider the toasting order to avoid overshadowing the host.

After the host or an elder/superior has toasted, one must return the toast.

If drinking with people who are not very familiar, one should also inquire about their status or pay attention to how they address each other.

If you have a favor to ask of a particular guest at the table, you naturally show them extra deference. However, if there are people of higher status or greater age present, you must first toast the elders. Otherwise, it will make everyone present awkward, and your request will likely fall through.

Toasting customs vary from place to place. For example, in Yang Qi's hometown and certain areas of the Northeast, toasting generally involves three consecutive drinks.

In contrast, toasting on Bai Xue's side is more casual; one can toast multiple people or one-on-one, according to one's own capacity.

However, basic etiquette remains the same, such as having to stand up when toasting elders or superiors, and holding one's glass slightly lower than the other person's, etc.

All customs and traditions are worthy of respect.

Uncle was undoubtedly the happiest. One reason was his integration into the harvest family, and the other was even simpler, as evident from the bowl in front of him.

His bowl was filled with peeled shrimp, snail meat, Crab, and other delicacies, all given to him by Chen Lanxin, who sat beside him.

"This brat, making a spectacle of herself!"

Chen Dong, sitting opposite, gave up after his repeated disapproving glances had no effect. Chen Lanying also shook her head helplessly.

Yang Qi, however, looked on with admiration. This Chen Lanxin was definitely someone who dared to love and hate, graceful and unpretentious, not hiding her feelings in the slightest.