The etiquette of serving tea is a subject worthy of in-depth study. It applies both when clients visit the company and in business dining settings. Every gesture not only reflects one's own upbringing but also embodies courteous hospitality.

(1) Tea Set Must Be Clean

After guests enter the room, first offer them a seat, then prepare tea. Before brewing tea, be sure to wash the tea set thoroughly. Especially for tea sets that have been unused for a long time, they may inevitably gather dust and dirt, so carefully rinse them with clean water. It is best to rinse the teapot and cups with boiling water before brewing and serving tea. This practice emphasizes both hygiene and politeness. Serving tea regardless of whether the tea set is clean or not is impolite. Guests may feel disgusted at the sight of stains on the teapot or cups—how would they be willing to drink the tea? In most companies today, disposable cups are commonly used. When serving tea, remember to place a cup holder under the disposable cup to prevent guests from burning their hands due to the heat, making it difficult for them to hold the cup and drink the tea immediately.

(2) Tea Should Be Prepared in Appropriate Amount

The amount of tea leaves placed should not be excessive nor too little. Too many tea leaves make the tea too strong; too few result in a bland taste. If guests indicate their preference for strong or weak tea, brew the tea according to their taste. When pouring tea, whether into large or small cups, avoid filling them too full, as overflow can wet the table, chairs, or floor. Accidental spills may also scald the hands or feet of yourself or your guests, causing embarrassment for both host and guests. Of course, the cup should not be filled too sparingly either. Serving a cup with tea barely covering the bottom may give the impression of being pretentious and insincere.

(3) Proper Method of Serving Tea

According to traditional Chinese customs, as long as both hands are functional, tea should be served to guests using both hands. However, some young people today are unaware of this rule and simply hand the tea over with one hand. When serving tea with both hands, pay attention: for cups with handles, usually hold the handle with one hand and support the bottom of the cup with the other hand when serving. For handleless cups, after being filled with hot tea, the entire cup becomes scalding, making it difficult to hold with both hands. Some individuals, regardless of etiquette, pinch the rim of the cup with their fingers and present it to the guest. Although this method prevents burns, it is unsightly and unhygienic. Imagine the guest's mouth touching the host's fingerprints—how pleasant would that be?

(4) Refill Tea Promptly

If the cups of your superiors or clients need refilling, it is your duty to add more tea. You may signal the waiter to refill the tea. Alternatively, it is even better to have the waiter leave the teapot on the table and refill it yourself—this serves as an excellent way to mask moments when you are unsure of what to say. Of course, when refilling tea, serve your superiors and clients first before refilling your own cup, demonstrating respect for them.