Differences between Chinese and Western table manners
Abstract: Table manner plays an important role in the food culture all over the world.Because of the big difference among people’s way of thinking, lifestyle and behavior in Chinese and Western culture, the phenomenon of culture conflict is unavoidable in the proce of its relations, which affected the smooth of culture communication.The significant of table manner’s position in a culture communication can not be ignored, and because of this, studying and analyzing the difference between Chinese and Western table manners has a great meaning.
Key word: Chinese and Western; table manner; difference
一．Chinese table manners From the ancient time till now, China is always a land of courtesy and the kingdom of protocol.Being courteous and decorum at present runs a long course from a remote source.There are lots of rules and customs in the Chinese table manners.
1.The food is served by the large communal dishes, and in nearly every case, you will be supplied with communal chopsticks for transferring food from the main dishes to your own.You should use the communal chopsticks if they are supplied.
2.Do not stab your chopsticks into your bowl or rice.Cause in some of Chinese culture, placing two chopsticks down in a bowl of rice is what happens at a funeral.By doing this, you indicate that you wish the death upon those at the table.3.You should hold the chopsticks in your right hand between the thumb and index finger, and when you are eating rice, you should place the small bowl in your left hand, holding it off the table.4.When tapping glaes for a cheer, be sure that the edge of your drink is below that of senior member, as you are not there equal.They will show respect.5.Do not get offended if your fellow diners eat with their mouth open, or talk with their mouth full.This is normal in China.Enjoy, laugh, and have fun.6.Do not spit the fish bone or litter it everywhere, you should take it out with your hands, then put it on the napkin or your empty plate.7.You’d better not pick your teeth with a toothpick.If you must do it, you should screen your mouth with napkin or your hands.
In the Chinese cultural tradition, table manners has its own special meanings, it is not only has the basic needs of physiological, but also an important place for the social interaction.The etiquette at the dinner table can reflect a person’s upbringing and quality.So having a good table manners is extremely vital in China.
二．Western table manners In Western culture, there are lots of differences in the table manners.Western people use knife and fork instead of the chopsticks.And there are some other manners which are important in the Western table manners. 1.When helping a woman pull her chair to the table, hold it and get it.Don’t shove it against the back of her legs.2.If you are seated at a table with eight or fewer guests, wait for everyone to be served and for the hoste to begin eating before you dig in.At a long banquet table, it’s ok to start when several people are seated and served.3.All things not having to do with food should remain off the table, like keys, clutch bags, cigarette packs and sunglaes.4.Do not snap your napkin open or unfurl it showily like it’s an Olympic flag.5.If you prefer not to have wine while dining out, don’t turn your gla upside down and don’t make a big deal of saying you don’t drink.Simply place your fingertips on the rim of the gla and say “Not today, thanks.”
6.If you are eating and want to take a sip, dab your mouth with your napkin to avoid staining the rim of the gla.7.When out with friends or the family----even at a fancy restaurant----it is ok to ask for your leftovers to be wrapped.But don’t do it at a busine lunch or dinner.
By all means, the Western table manner is not only a kind of etiquette, is also a kind of civilization, and has lots of things that we can learn.
三.The differences in table languages and atmosphere There is a big difference in the table languages, in China, although the food is full in our eyes, the host would still say “The food is little, please excuse me.（菜很少，招待不周，还请大家多担待。）” But in Western country, the host would say : help yourself to some vegetables, which seemed to be very casual.In addition to this, the Chinese host will add the food from time to time to the guest’s bowl, while it is a very rude behavior in the Western.Also the atmosphere on the table is completely different.
Noisy and quiet is the main different of the table atmosphere between Chinese and Western.Chinese table atmosphere always noisy and always the nosier the better, while western table atmosphere is quiet.In China, people begin to talk at the time they sit down, and they would keep talking during the whole dinner.Everybody at the table talking, drinking, eating and enjoying the pulsating atmosphere.Noisy atmosphere can reflect the guests’ happine from their heart.In Western, Westerners also talk at table, but they talk quietly and keep the voice at the stage that can only be heard.Chewing with your mouth and do not making noises when eating.
四．The difference in seat sorting In China, people used to use the number of the tables to define the size of banquet.In small banquets which have two tables, the table on the left or farther to the portal is the top table.At bigger banquets that have three or more tables, the rules are much more complicated.Generally, seats that closer to the top table take precedence.For example, on the wedding party, family members of the bridge or the leaderships are arranged to the table that closet to the top table.Hosts show their reverences to the guests by arranging seats by this way.Seats at one table also have different meanings.In Chinese table manner, the seat opposite to the door is the honor seat, which is for chief guests or elders; the seats beside are the second honor seat which are for other guests; the seat that opposite to the honor seat are the inferior seat.Inferior seats are for the host and hoste.So before the banquet, hosts should first invite the chief guest or elders to the honor seat, and then invite other guests to the second honor seat.Hosts sit down on the inferior seats after all the guests sit down.
Western people prefer long table to round table when entertaining friends.The host and the hoste seat at both end of the table, while guests seat at other seats.The chief guest sits at the upper right side of the hoste, and the wife of the chief guest sits at the upper right side of the host.
So in China, left is honor and right is secondary.While in Western, right is honor and left is secondary.The proper way to take the seat in Western is to sit by the left hand.It is better not to walk out before the banquet is finished.
五．The difference in tableware Chinese Chinese table wares involve chopsticks, small dish, bowl and gla.Chopsticks and spoon are always put together on the right hand of the plate.Toothpick and ashtray are also neceary.
Western In western meals, they use so much table wares with different kinds and sizes.The use of table wares also shows different food culture in different countries.The main table wares in Western are knives, forks, spoons, gla and napkin.The knife is used to cut food and forks are used to carry food into mouth.During the dinner, you should put them on both sides of the plate, and knife and fork should be put in the way that looks like the Chinese word “八”.
六．The difference in way of finishing eating In China At Chinese dinner table, after eating, the chopsticks should put orderly at the right side of the bowl, and leave after the host signals to leave.Hosts should signal after all the guests put down their chopsticks.In Western At Western dinner table, the ways to finish eating is to put the knife and fork together on the plate parallel, with the fork’s back side up and the knife’s edge inside.
七．Conclusion Through comparing the table manners of Chinese and Western countries and keeping pace with the changing world can be more meaningful to all people.Every culture in the world is equal.We should avoid using our own culture, morality and value to judge foreign culture.We should treat foreign culture objectively.
