What are the dining etiquette rules for a Chinese wedding banquet?

Arrive on time and greet the couple and their parents as you enter. You may be shown to your table by a host or a usher. If seats are not numbered, let the elders take the places of honour at the head of the table. These seats often face the entrance or the stage.

When the meal begins, wait for the hosts to invite everyone to eat. It is polite to let older guests start first. Use the serving spoons or the ends of your chopsticks to take food from the shared dishes. Do not reach across the table. Turn the lazy Susan clockwise and pass dishes to the right.

Chopstick rules matter. Do not stick them upright in a bowl of rice, as this resembles incense for the dead. Do not tap bowls or point at people with them. Keep your chopsticks on the rest when you are not using them.

Speeches usually come between courses. Join in with applause and a toast when the couple or their parents speak. It is fine to eat at a relaxed pace and to leave a little food on your plate. If you need to step out, do so quietly. If you are unsure about any custom, follow what the hosts and elders do.