Never having had hot pot before, I had no frame of reference. Also, I suspect I was at a Huge Advantage having a Chinese host and arriving mid afternoon on a warm June day: almost no one else was in the establishment.
My host ordered a HUGE assortment, and it all appeared very quickly. She then proceeded to give hot pot lessons, helping at the dip bar prepare the most authentic brew. Really, without someone who was familiar with the whole experience, I may have been very.unhappy. The essence is simple: order a soup base, and then boil it at the table while adding an assortment of ingredients, eating the cooked additions at your leisure. Very casual and intimate experience.
Come hungry, and take your time.