If you are traveling to Hong Kong anytime soon, you will hopefully take the time to visit a dim sum restaurant. A dim sum is a little package of delicious flavors. There are various restaurants and tea houses all over Hong Kong that serve these little bundles of joy.
When visiting a dim sum be prepared for a cultural experience, not just with the food either. Some of these establishments are so busy, that you do not wait for a table, you just grab one as soon as it is available. Do not worry that you are being rude, it is expected.
There are certain rules of etiquette that will help your experience be authentic and enjoyable. Some of the newer dim sums have menus that you can make your choices from. Many of the older establishments though still have wait staff pushing trolleys around from which you can make your choices. If you are needing food just signal a waitperson or call out, this is how it is done. When they come to your table, just ask what assortment they have on their cart or ask to peek to see what is available.
Tea is an important part of the dim sum experience, since dim sum were invented in the tea houses. A pot will be brought to your table as soon as you are seated. Usually it contains a delightful green tea that cleanes the palate and helps with digestion. If you need a refill during the meal simple remove the lid and allow it to hang from the attached string, someone will come with a new pot.
Emptied baskets and plates may be left on one corner of the table so that the wait staff can calculate your bill when you are finished. When you are done eating cross your chopsticks on your plate, this signals the waitstaff that you are finished. One of the waitstaff will then bring you the bill.
Though not the place for a business meeting or a quiet romantic date, a dim sum experience is one you will never forget.