Tipping Tipping is never expected at cheap restaurants in Shenzhen or anywhere on the Chinese mainland. High-end hotel restaurants might automatically add a 15% service charge. Some might also have a “tip” option on the handset when paying by card, but it is not obligatory and it’s uncertain whether wait staff receive their tips at the end of the night. Paying When it’s time to ask for the bill, a cry of mǎidān! (買單) does the trick. Generally, it is the host who pays and if they didn’t they would lose face. Splitting the bill is less common here than in Western countries, so if you invite someone out for dinner, be prepared to foot the bill. Quick guide to restaurant etiquette Work, play, romance, business and family all revolve around food in Shenzhen. The catalysts for all manner of enjoyment, meals are occasions for pleasure and entertainment, to clinch deals, strike up new friendships and rekindle old ones. Here’s how to dine out like a pro. Unless you’ve been invited to a formal banquet, strict etiquette doesn’t really apply to dining in Shenzhen’s Chinese restaurants. Table manners are relaxed and get more so as the meal unfolds and the drinks start flowing. Even when dining in a group, generally only a single, tome-like menu is given out, and the waiter will hover at your shoulder until you order. Don’t panic — even a modest local restaurant menu might still run to a hundred or more dishes! Typically, one person — the host — orders. Giving just one person ordering duties (with suggestions from the floor, of course) is more efficient than everyone taking a turn, and enables the host to choose a balanced selection of dishes for everyone to share. A good rule of thumb is to order one dish per number of diners, plus soup and rice. This is why dining in big groups is more fun — you can try more food and the cost per person is lower. The concept of starters, mains and desserts doesn’t apply, so order everything at once. | 