When drinking tea in daily life, I often hear friends say that the cup should be filled to seven-tenths, but I never understood the meaning.

Later, I learned that the phrase 'tea poured seven-tenths full' refers to the host serving tea to guests by filling the cup to 70% of its capacity. If a host entertains guests with tea, pouring seven-tenths is a sign of respect, as filling it completely is considered impolite. As the saying goes, 'Always pour tea seven-tenths full, leaving three-tenths for人情 (human sentiment).'

Why seven-tenths?

In traditional Chinese culture, there is a saying: 'Fill wine to honor guests, fill tea to deceive them.' Since wine is cold and tea is hot, pouring tea seven-tenths full prevents spills and burns. Specifically:

1. Safety: Tea is hot; filling the cup to seven-tenths ensures it won't scald the guest or spill onto the table or clothing.

2. Fairness: A pot of tea must be evenly divided among several cups. At the tea table, everyone is equal—no one should receive too much while others go without.

3. Appreciation: Tasting tea involves sipping the brew, observing its color, and smelling its aroma. An overly full cup makes this difficult.

4. Aroma preservation: With seven-tenths of tea, there is space between the liquid and the rim, allowing the fragrance to concentrate for better enjoyment before drinking.

5. Friendship: Pouring seven-tenths leaves room for人情, much like the proverb 'A hedge between keeps friendship green.' Silent understanding between host and guest speaks volumes in the shared tea.

6. Moderation: Seven-tenths represents a measured approach to life and actions. It embodies balance—knowing when to advance or retreat, staying calm, and leaving room for others to avoid embarrassment.

Thus, pouring tea seven-tenths full reminds us to leave space in our busy lives, not to overburden ourselves, and to maintain flexibility for sustained progress. Perhaps a life at seven-tenths is truly whole.