Dinner with the President

Dinner with president is a prescribed ritual. We leave the hotel en mass on a hot and sunny night and walk several blocks to the appointed restaurant. This is the same place, same room, where last year we celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary with many of the same people.

In a richly paneled room, the table is amazing. It seats at least 25 people in a great circle, with the entire center a lazy Susan. We are seated by rank. The president sits farthest away, facing the door. On either side of him are the two male directors of our program. On either side of them are two women, the international exchange director and I. To our sides are other administrators and then the team stretches out around the circle. One sits where one is told to sit, no questions asked. This is a Luke 14:7-11 society.

After everyone is seated, the drinks are brought. Tea is served first, a light chrysanthemum tea, and then Sprite, Coke, and a watermelon juice. When everyone has something in their glass, the president gives the first toast. He speaks excellent English, but he asks the young man beside me to translate. We’re honored verbally, and then the glasses clink. It is important as you clink to try to place your glass lower than the person beside you. We have seen men put their glasses lower and lower, almost to the floor, but tonight there is simply friendly banter as we toast.

When the toasts of friendship are exchanged, the food begins. I have no idea how many dishes are brought to the table and placed on the lazy Susan. There is little point in counting – I chose to enjoy. The young man beside me, an assistant dean, must have been charged to keep my plate full because as each dish comes, he names it and gives me a small portion. I see the president doing the same thing to my husband on his right, and our other director on his left.

Food in China has not the faintest resemblance to Chinese food in North American restaurants. I am often asked which food I like best here, and I find it impossible to answer. The diversity and intensity of food is overwhelming. I rarely dislike anything I am eat, and I am rarely served the same dish twice. Tonight’s meal includes fruit, meat, vegetables, breads, sweets, hot and mild, warm and cold, soup to nuts. Rice is not served. There is no need for “filler.”

Dinner lasts a full two hours, and we are eating the entire time. Toasts are exchanged several times, and gifts. Speeches, jokes, stories round the table. Though there is a prescribed form, there is still warm mutual respect.

Two cultures meet at the round table, and over the joyous celebration of food, become one group of friends.