Culture Difference in Chinese Dinning

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面 vs 米

Both Noodles 面 and Rice 米，are very popular all across the country. However, the North is famous for growing wheat and making delicious noodles; the South is perfect for growing rice and enjoy cooking rice dishes.
Usually, if you want something quick and simple, order noodles.
Rice bowl are usually accompanied by a couple of stir fried dishes. 

During big festivals when family and friends gather together, people cook many dishes to share.  

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sharing food

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Dishes are usually put in the table center so everyone will be able to reach it. In some restaurants, tables have a lazy susan center to accommodate large dinning groups.   

Chinese dinning values variety and food sharing is common. When dinning with other people on the same table, do not pick up something from a dish and put it back. It is bad manner to pick food with your chopsticks (unless it's the food on your own plate). For food that is hard to pick up with chopsticks, feel free to stab it instead. It is better than dropping your food before it reaches your plate.

Because the food is usually shared on formal occasions, it is important to wait until everyone has arrived before starting, so the ones that arrive late won't be eating "leftovers". Usually the older gets the best seats. Do not start eating before the older starts. 

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tipping

Don't be offended if you have to yell out "服务员" to get your server's attention. You don't have to tip anyone and there's no added tax. The tax is included in the price on the menu. If you are a bit intimidated by the idea of speaking out loud, just wave towards your server when he/she is looking at your direction.

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ordering
 

It's absolutely normal for one person on a table to submit the order for everyone to the server. Since most food is shared anyways, there is no need for the server to remember each one's order. 

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The server will almost never come to check with you about your food. Chinese like to be left alone when they are eating.