Our meals were probably not typical middle or lower class meals. Nevertheless, some comments:
Meals began with a moist, warm (sometimes hot) washcloth to wipe your face and hands. Most refreshing.
Silverware was always available if asked for, and often supplied anyway after the restaurant staff observed our chopstick skills. We gamely stuck with chopsticks most of the time.
Meals were served family style. Everyone could try every dish. As mentioned before, dishes were placed on a large lazy Susan (see the last photo in this post).
Meals did not include a conventional dessert. Meals ended with a serving of fresh fruit slices such as watermelon.
Rice was not a big part of the meals. It was served at the end of the meal, as a filler, in case one wasn't yet full. (Not necessary in our case!)
Dumplings were delicious and considered a treat. If served at all, they were served just before the fruit.
Cold drinks or water were not served with meals. They were available if asked for, but one got the impression that it was unusual to do so. Hot tea was the norm (or spirits). Leaves were in the tea. Iced tea seemed to be something only for foreigners.
Chinese men often smoked after meals.
Our Chinese hosts often treated us to meals as described above for lunch or dinner, sometimes both in the same day. Breakfast was different. We ate breakfast on our own at a breakfast buffet in our hotels. Both Chinese and Western foods were available, in great variety, including plenty of fruit.
