Chinese Tea Etiquette: Finger Tapping

Chinese Tea Etiquette: Finger Tapping

Tea has been around in China for over 5,000 years. And ancient Chinese tea customs are still often followed.

One of those customs that amaze many newcomers of world of Chinese tea is finger tapping. It is a gesture that shows your respect to your host.

According to the Chinese tea customs, when tea is served, the guests should humbly receive it and thank their host. However, instead of saying it, they simply tap the table with three fingers (the middle, index, and ring fingers). Each time the cup is refilled, they repeat the gesture.

The gesture is anything but mythical. A popular story of finger tapping accredits the invention of the gesture to a Qing dynasty emperor about 200 years.

The Qing emperor loved to travel throughout China in disguise, and secretly observed the life of his subjects. Wherever he went, the emperor would definitely visit the local teahouse — his favorite place to enjoy himself.

One day, in a teahouse he stopped by, the emperor was attracted to the way how the waiters poured their tea without spilling a single drop while tossing around the teapot. So he decided to try it out and pour Chinese tea for his companions.

Custom demanded that people bow before their emperor, and it was unimaginable if the emperor ever poured you tea! So they needed to thank the emperor for pouring a cup. Yet, if they bow, the disguise of the emperor could be comprised.

One of the companions had a brainwave, and he tapped three of his fingers on the table as a symbol of bow to his emperor.

Thus, a new gesture was added to the Chinese tea custom! Soon the story spread from one Chinese tea lover to another. After a short while, everyone began to copy the emperor to tap their fingers in drinking Chinese tea.  

Next time you visit a Chinese tea house, try to observe the interesting finger tapping technique to quietly thank your host for their delicious Chinese tea!