ItisatraditionforChinesepeople,whendinning,tositaroundthetableandsharethesamedishes.Differentfromthatthewesternersplaceflowersatthecenterofthediningtable,theChineseplacedishesinthemiddlesothatpeoplecouldsharethemtogether.ThiscustomreflectetheimportanceoffoodinChinesecivilization.Whatismoreimportant,thiswayofdinningfecilitatesthecommunicationamongdiners.Usually,afteradinner,therelationshipsbetweenfriendsgetcloserandthebusinesspartnersdeepentheirmutualunderstanding.Peoplewouldsometimesputthefoodintothebowlsoftheguestsortheelderstoshowrespectforthem.