Born and raised in America.
We don't say anything.
I say that we say, "Dig in!" but we really don't.
And, seeing as half of my family is Chinese (Cantonese-speaking), here's what I know about that:
Anyway, I'm not going to attempt to English-ify it, but anyway you say something that roughly translates to, "Eat rice," (or, "Eat food") to everyone older than you for respect (at least in families). Or so I was told.
I will just say that if you're the youngest, poor you. (Apparently my youngest uncle had it rough with the huge Chinese family thing going.)
According to other people that have posted:
Quote from karenrocks
Quote from gan17
Quote from karenrocks
Quote from gan17
Quote from girlpower3
and my family always say “慢慢吃” (man man chi)
Doesn't that mean 'eat slowly'?.... heh, do u eat too fast or something?
In a way, it means eat slowly and enjoy your food because when you eat slower you are able to savor the meal.
I usually say 食饭 (sik fan), which means "eat rice" before sitting down and eat, or 慢慢吃. I guess in a way saying 食饭 is like ringing a bell telling everyone that there's food to be eaten.
'Sik Fan' is Cantonese, rite.... anyway, thanks for explaining it to me. I always get the Chinese dialects mixed up (too many).
Um Koi (I think that's thankyou) .
BTW.... This thread is starting to sound like an episode of Mind Your Language (wonder how many of you know what I'm talking about?)
No problem. I've had friends who asked me the same question ;p And yes it is Cantonese.
It has been English-ified above as, "Sik Fan." Honestly, I would have put, "Sick fun," so I'm glad I found this first before trying.