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| Dim Sum at Yauatcha |
Did you know that ... it is customary during dim sum to pour tea for others before filling your own cup. To thank the person pouring your tea you tap your bent index finger (if you are single) or both the index and middle finger (if you are married), which symbolises 'bowing' to them. According to legend, the gesture dates back to the Qing dynasty (circa 1644-1911 AD). Once upon a time there was an Emperor who liked to leave the palace in disguise to travel through his kingdom. On one occasion, the Emperor and his companions stopped at a tea house where the Emperor poured a cup of tea for a companion. The companion, not wanting to give away the Emperor's identity in public by bowing (as is custom to bow before the Emperor), instead tapped his index and middle finger on the table as a sign of appreciation. And so the tea pouring/finger tapping tradition started. For my picks of dim sum places for you to practise your tapping, click
here
