"Secret Code"

Did you know people can actually communicate and pass on the "secret" messages through their own tea cup in the old time:

1. Excuse me, could you add more water for me?

Place the lid on the saucer. The waiter from the tea house will know right away to add hot water for you. However, as a common courtercy, they can only do it twice in a row for the same person, and for the thrid time, the person will have to wait till the waiter finishes adding water for everyone from the table.

2. The "brotherhood" needs help from you!

Again, place the lid on the top of the saucer, but this time, it will be the other way around.

There were many secret gangs from the old time, and if you are alone at a new place but don't know where to find your "brotherhood", then just place your tea cup like the picture above and the waiter from the tea house will set you up with the right contact!

3. Be Right Back! Please don't take away my tea cup!

The very traditional tea house from the old time will take your payment before they serve you. Therefore, after you paid and if you need to leave for something, just grab a few rocks or matches or even just a small tree branch and place it on the top of your lid, then the waiter of the tea house will know not to clean up your table and they will keep it for you till you are back!

4. Put on my bill please and I will pick up that tab later!

Maybe you want to be the person who treats everyone but your wallet doesn't agree with you today! However, you don't want to embarass yourself in front of everyone, so place the lid between the cup and the saucer, then the waiter will know how to "save" your face!

5. Ready to Go!

Place the lid the other way around on the top of the cup! Everyone know you are ready to leave!

Now that you know, let's find out how many people can understand you if you ever get the chance to visit a tea house in China ;)