Originally Posted by
gaobest
business meals where the Chinese vendor was ordering the menu, or better having their employee order the menu and handle the cash for payment - rice was stigma as “common” food so business meals wouldn’t have any rice. Surely I’m not the only american who’s had to deal with this in China. That whole private room nonsense that isn’t super common in usa fine dining restaurants unless it’s a blatant chef’s table. Maybe fried rice would be served. I went to China a lot in the 90s up to 2006. Don’t miss going. Internet made it easier to not need to go.
I started going to China a few years after that. Business and celebratory meals usually had rice (along with the "family" dishes). Usually it was a large bowl of rice either in the centre of the lazy susan or in a rice cooker/warmer in the corner (private room or not). I haven't been in a few years, but I don't think things have changed that much.