Chinese college students’ commensality practices: an experience report in the canteens of Shanghai Jiao Tong University

Abstract

Commensality involves rituals and norms structured in each culture. This experience report explores the commensality practices of Chinese college students in canteens of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Xuhui campus. The students were participants, along with the main author, of an exchange program held in 2016 in the city of Shanghai, China. Participant observation and questionnaires with open questions were used as data collection techniques in the field, which were analysed along with the literature on the subject. After the analysis, it came as a result that the research subjects have strong respect and appreciation for Chinese food, using meals as a way to establish and strengthen bonds of friendship. In addition, students feel free to make taste and individual choices, even going against established cultural norms. Finally, many similarities with the experience of the main author as a student at her home Brazilian university were identified as well.