Tibetan food etiquette

 

Tibetan food etiquette

Tibetans are a nation that pays great attention to etiquette. When it comes to Tibetan etiquette and customs, people always talk about the most common food etiquette in Tibetan areas.

The wise man Agudengba and the caravan leader Lacuo chatted about the characteristics of Tibetan food and Tibetan food etiquette.

Agudengba said that in fact, Tibetans have many kinds of dining etiquette, which are also very distinctive.

Agudemba said:

Tibetans offer food and eat according to their different identities and statuses; whether it is a large banquet or a small family banquet, there must be an auspicious and harmonious atmosphere; when sitting at the table, the elderly and distinguished guests take their seats, while the younger ones are treated special care. Generally, the elderly and distinguished guests eat first, followed by family members and young people. Everyone needs to toast each other and offer tea to each other at the banquet. Don't make any noise when eating. When serving food, serving tea, pouring wine, and toasting, you should hold it with both hands. Give it to the other person; do not point the blade at the guest when passing the meal knife to eat meat; do not use cracked or broken bowls, cups, saucers, or spoons.

Tibetans have their own tea drinking etiquette:

When drinking tea, it is important to put the elder first, then the younger, first the guest and then the host; guests should not drink just one cup of tea; when drinking tea, they should not be too hasty or too fast, and cannot drink it to the end. They should first gently blow away the oil on the tea and drink separately. Several times; drinking tea should not make a "whooshing" sound; after drinking tea, a little tea should be left at the bottom of the bowl to show courtesy.

Tibetans also have their own drinking etiquette:

Tibetans have extremely rich drinking etiquette and customs. Every time new wine is brewed, one must first worship the gods with the word "wine is new", and then follow the ancient precept of "order the elders and the young" first to toast to the elders in the family, and then the family can drink freely. In festivals, weddings or gatherings of many people, drinking is usually offered to the respected elders first, and then toasts are made in order from the outside to the outside. The toaster should generally hold the wine glass with both hands and raise it above his head to offer it to the recipient, especially the elderly. The recipient first takes the wine glass with both hands, then holds it with his left hand, then gently dips the ring finger of his right hand into the wine in the glass, and flicks it into the air. Repeat this three times, and some people even whisper "" Tashi Delek..." Wait for the auspicious congratulations before drinking. Drinking wine three times is to show respect to heaven, earth and gods and to pray to the Three Jewels of Buddha, Dharma and Sangha.

Agudenba smiled and said:

The person receiving the toast should not drink it all in one gulp, but should follow the "three sips and one cup" system. After playing the wine to worship the gods, the recipient should take a sip first, the toaster should refill the glass, and the recipient should take a third sip and then drink the wine in one gulp. Only those who drink nothing are sincere.

In Tibetan areas, wherever there is wine, there is singing. If the person making the toast does not sing during the toast, the person being toasted can refuse to drink. The so-called drinking and singing are inseparable. Both the host and the guest want the other party to drink more or sing more drinking songs.

Agudengba sang a "Toast Song":

 

A glass of wine, a poem:

When you meet a close friend, a thousand cups are too little.

Let your mind wander to the ends of the earth.

 

Two glasses of wine, talk about spring and autumn:

Bear the strong winds and waves by yourself,

The vicissitudes of life are gone.

 

Three glasses of wine, deep friendship;

Tonight, raise a glass to the bright moon,

Chanjuan people live thousands of miles.

 

Drink dry wine and shed tears;

Friendship makes mellow wine,

The aftertaste is long and ups and downs together.