The finger tapping stems from a story in old China: An emperor (don't recall which dynasty) frequently liked to travel into his kingdom to see the people, problems, and (realistically) just get some fresh air. When he travelled out of the palace however, it would have been dangerous to travel as the emperor in his normal emperor clothes. So as a result, he travelled as a servant in plain street clothes. Of course he had a big entourage of people with him in case something went off, but he wasn't the head of the entourage as far as the public was concerned. ANYWAY, when they were outside and they would go to eat, occasionally the Emperor would serve someone (since he was pretending to be a servant). When the Emperor served you, it was custom to tap your finger. Tapping your finger represented that you were bowing on your knees and showing respect to the undercover Emperor. So, the story got out and that's why people still do it today. I've heard this same story for years all across China. Jenny / Ken - - your thoughts? As for tapping when you're served tea? Who is serving it? The waiter?? If it's a waiter, you definitely don't need to do it. If it's your friend of host, maybe. But like lantian said, I think its unneeded for tea. This seems to be more reserved for drinking beer, baijiu
Posted on: What is this called?
April 11, 2010 at 12:09 PMThe finger tapping stems from a story in old China: An emperor (don't recall which dynasty) frequently liked to travel into his kingdom to see the people, problems, and (realistically) just get some fresh air. When he travelled out of the palace however, it would have been dangerous to travel as the emperor in his normal emperor clothes. So as a result, he travelled as a servant in plain street clothes. Of course he had a big entourage of people with him in case something went off, but he wasn't the head of the entourage as far as the public was concerned. ANYWAY, when they were outside and they would go to eat, occasionally the Emperor would serve someone (since he was pretending to be a servant). When the Emperor served you, it was custom to tap your finger. Tapping your finger represented that you were bowing on your knees and showing respect to the undercover Emperor. So, the story got out and that's why people still do it today. I've heard this same story for years all across China. Jenny / Ken - - your thoughts? As for tapping when you're served tea? Who is serving it? The waiter?? If it's a waiter, you definitely don't need to do it. If it's your friend of host, maybe. But like lantian said, I think its unneeded for tea. This seems to be more reserved for drinking beer, baijiu