©The $50 dinner with the “Two Buck Chuck”

This happened at a fairly well known Chinese restaurant in Cupertino, California on July 22nd, 2005. A Chinese delegation from mainland China had its dinner party there and the participants paid $50 per person to attend. The enjoyment of good wine with a meal can be an important aspect of a significant social function. In this case, the hosts chose to serve Charles Shaw Merlot, which is sold exclusively at Trader Joe's stores. Is Charles Shaw Merlot a bad wine? No, it’s considered as a nice and easy drinking wine for its’ rather humble price tag of $1.99; hence the term, “two buck chuck.” Many people buy it for their daily wine consumption. What’s the fuss then?

The real question is about the food and wine etiquette for a formal business dinner party. The food was quite good and very well prepared. But the wine seemed only adequate. It left many people wondering if the $50 price tag had been worth it. As someone dryly quipped: “they dumped Trader Joe’s on the table.” Hosts must carefully consider the impressions they create with their wine choice.

Another observation concerning East/West etiquette: is it proper to turn your glass upside down or put your hand over the glass as the server is about to pour the wine for you? This may be OK in China but it is not considered good form in the States. There were two people at my table who turned their glasses upside down as the waiter approached. The simple thing to do is to say “No, thank you” to the server. They’ll get the idea.

Comments

[Vida]

Thanks for the comment Bill. You raised a very good question - what would we expect a delegation from China do in this case?

The point being is that there is a set up different behaviors are expected in an American dinning enviroment vs. a Chinese dinning setting.

[Bill Shih]

Well, A delegation from China as you mentioned, what you expected for?