"How are you, have you eaten?" "Yes, I have. What about you?" This is a typical greeting you can hear in China. Chinese always ask their friends whether they have eaten, just like the English talking about weather as a conversation starter. I was told that Chinese had been such a poor agricultural society, that having eaten is very important, answering with "I have eaten" is equivalent to "I am fine". During the few days in Shanghai, not only have I been asked whether I have eaten my meals, but in ... (more)