China is clamping down on food waste
Clean your plate, says the state
NO BANQUET IN China is complete without the host loudly calling for more food, even when it is clear that no one can eat another bite. Whether at business meals or family gatherings, to leave a clean plate is to imply that the host provided too little. Cultural issues of “face” also lead to big servings: everyone wants to be more generous than their neighbour. Now, though, these deep-rooted norms are being challenged from the top.
This article appeared in the China section of the print edition under the headline “About face”
From the March 12th 2022 edition
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