Tischsitten in China

Ingredients

• 2 medium-sized plates
• possibly a hand mirror

How to Play

One child is sent outside, and the group is told that they must not make any comments about what is about to happen. The child is brought back into the room. The child and the group are then told that the Chinese have very special rituals before they eat a meal. These rituals will be demonstrated right away.

1. The most important thing when eating in China is to look your conversation partner in the eyes the entire time (which the child should also do from this moment on).
2. Before eating begins, everyone takes a plate in their left hand (give the child the plate with the charred bottom).
3. Now explain to the child that before eating, the Chinese hold the plate in their hand and rub their right index finger in a circular motion on the bottom of it (demonstrate this as you explain; the child will now rub their finger without realizing it).
4. After a short while (a few seconds), the Chinese people stroke their left and right cheeks with the same index finger (this is where it should get funny—if the child doesn’t notice anything). Of course, you can expand on this as much as you like: stroking the forehead, under the chin, etc.

Note

• It is extremely important that the child maintains eye contact with the game leader at all times. The game leader must do the same in return to encourage the child to stay engaged.
• The facilitator demonstrates all the actions to the child so that the child can follow the instructions smoothly.
• With the help of the mirror, the child can then be shown the result and the reason why the group is laughing.
• It should be noted here that, of course, this whole activity has absolutely nothing to do with Chinese table manners in reality.

Image Credit

Cover image: © A. Reinkober / pixelio.de