The Art of Mooching Meals

This article was written on July 7, 2013

Author: Lu Jianfeng

I often mooch meals, from Beijing to Kunming, sharing my insights on mooching.

First, you must know how to praise. Generally, when someone invites you to eat, they cook their signature dishes, and the taste is mostly good. It's said that love should be spoken out; the first principle of mooching is to praise the delicious food. Praise should be artistic, not verbose, and measured. I usually take a deep sniff before the meal, then praise the aroma, and then start eating.

Second, you must know how to eat. I am a foodie, not only knowing how to eat but also eating a lot. Many friends say that eating with me whets their appetite because I eat a lot and enjoy it, and I basically have no dislikes. A foodie should know where the dish is good, but keep the flaws to oneself and generally not mention them. During the meal, at an appropriate time, say that this dish is delicious, pointing out its main characteristics in color, aroma, freshness, smoothness, or refreshing taste. After saying that, you should immediately follow with action: pick up a large piece and take a big bite.

Lastly, you must be thick-skinned. To mooch meals, you must be thick-skinned, proactively asking if they are cooking today. Usually, if the other party is cooking, they will invite you. The benefits of being thick-skinned are many; like-minded people will smile knowingly when they see it. Being thick-skinned to eat all around mainly refers to mooching.

Freeloading is not mooching; mooching is a proper thing. The highest level of mooching is that you eat well and the person being mooched is also very happy. Mooching is mutual benefit, while freeloading is when the other party is unwilling or provides false information under the guise of cooperation. Freeloading cannot be compared to mooching.

On July 7, after mooching at Kang Le Tea City.