The Analysis of China and Western Table Manners Foreword With the rapid development of economic globalization, the culture between China and Western has also been a very good development and integration.According to the literature, the manners of Zhou Dynasty, has formed a well-established system.The table manners played a very important role in the life of modern Chinese people.Dining not only meets the physical needs, but also an important social etiquette, and it also embodies a person’s upbringing and quality.The banquet in western countries, from the formal to the informal, is far more than China.The table manners of western countries have a lot of forms, expect this, the degree of formality also has a big difference.Generally, there are seated dinners, buffet dinners, luncheons, receptions, cocktail parties, BYOB and BYOF (Bring your own bottles and bring your own food), picnics, tea parties, and so on.1.The summarize of china and western countries table manners The Chinese dining etiquette has a long history.According to the literature show that, at least in Zhou Dynasty, the eating etiquette has formed a well-established system.Especially that, the Confucius, as the libation of State of Lu, has praised and respected the eating etiquette, so, it become an important aspect of dynasties performance of major powers of landscape, ceremonies and civilization.As Han traditional ancient feast etiquette, it has own program: the host invites guest with writing a letter and he/she will go to meet the guests at the door personally.When the guests arrived, they will greet each other.Than, the host brings the people into the living room to sit and entertains the guests with refreshments.After the guests in attendance, we can take a seat.Generally, where a guest is seated depend on his age, social status and so on.“Taking the left for upper”, it is the traditional custom in China.It means the left seat is higher than the right one.The guest of honor should be arranged on the left of host.Chinese entertained guest using the Eight-Immortal table in tradition.The seat faced to the door is the seat of honor, while the others are seated aside.The older, the guest of honor, the high-level is seated in the upper seat, and the hosts sit at the lower seat.When there is more than one table, the host and hoste seat together in the main table.The distance from one table determined the position of these people.
Western table manners originated in the French Merovingian.Inspired by Byzantine Culture, so, the manners develop a series of subtlety etiquette.To the Roman Empire of Charlemagne, the etiquette is more complex and tyranny.The emperor must sit the highest chair.Whenever the music sounded, the nobility must spread the dishes to the emperor’s hands.Before the 17th century, it is a traditional habit for people to wear a hat when dining.In the Imperial era, table manners seem tedious and demanding, different ethnic groups have different eating habits, for example, Gauls sit to dinner, Romans lying to eat, the French are taught from childhood that meal with both hands on the table, but Englishman was taught that put you hands on your tights when you don not eat.The European table manners developed from the chivalry.In 12th century, when the culture of Italian has influenced the France, table manners and menu terms become more elegant and refined and etiquette book with teaching have come out.Until now, the table manners have been retained in European countries within a certain range.When you go to a friend\'s house, it will always be neceary to wear decent clothes, carry the appropriate gift, show elegance and conservation.2.Chinese and Western busine table manners Culture 2.1 Chinese and Western dining table taboo Chinese food culture has thousands of years of history.In the land of China, a strong food culture has been bred out and the eating habits and taboos also have been formed.When they are formed, we need consider courtesy and culture and some of them origin from the folk superstition and historical allusions.After thousands of years of accumulated and refined, it has spread and formed a unique culture of Chinese eating etiquette.First, there is the problem of seating in the feast.Secondly, there is the question of the use of the chopsticks.Eventually, people also need pay more attention to the detail on the table.When eating western food, people should pay attention to the western etiquette.It is very different from Chinese food equivalent, we must understand Western etiquette and basic knowledge of Western etiquette, so that we can avoid embarraing because do not understand the etiquette and knowledge of life in the important occasions.2.1.1 Table Setting
Since ancient time, China table manners do not change a lot.Usually, we put a rice bowl, a pair of chopsticks, a spoon, a dish of sauce in all seat.After meal, it is a habit to give guests hot towels instead of paper towels.All the dishes must be sent on the middle of table at the same time.The people can use chopsticks to take food from each dish directly and the guests drink from the same pot of soup.It is a taboo for each one to grip on distant cuisine when dining.Chinese people like sharing all dishes together, so most of tables used are round or square, rather than westerners with elongated table.In the west, a from western cutlery includes Butter knife, bread dish, appetizer, use a knife and fork with knife and fork, main course, soup with a spoon, deert forks, wine glaes, white wine glaes.The western countries pay more attention to the eating, so they usually take Fencan system.2.1.2 Dining table terminology and behavior China advocate moderation and courtesy and manner are deeply entrenched.So, when eating out, we must mind the language and manner and keep them in a high level.But in the foreigner eyes, our etiquette is cumbersome and complex.Chinese people eat with a relaxing atmosphere and they can talk with each other and laugh, it is very lively.On the contrary, the eating surrounding of western countries is quiet and they value the details.2.2 Chinese and Western seats In china, most of all since ancient times to the left is the statue, in the banquet guests, to the status of a very distinguished guests in attendance arranged on the left, followed by arrangement.But in some western countries, we are just the opposite. 2.2.1 The job title The level of seating positions is similar in the West.People with position or status higher will be respect for and take the higher pedestal seats.According to rank, and the rank of the officers high and low positioning, the level can not be croed.2.2.2 Ladies and Gentlemen It is same that Chinese and Western women are proud of their husbands, so the ranking of them accord their husbands.Among the many guests, male guest is honored, his wife is ranked second.2.3 Chinese and western busine dinner dre China is known as the state of ceremonies in the world and the Chinese people are also world-known for its polite style.The dre has always maintained: clean, fresh, dignified and generous.In Western countries, if you are invited to attend the breakfast, lunch, dinner, buffet, cocktail party or tea party, there are usually only two forms , one is the official , the other one is arbitrary.If you go to a high-end restaurant, the men should be wearing a neat shirt and shoes, ladies wear suits and have been working with the shoes.If you specify required to wear formal clothing, men must wear a tie.
3.Chinese and western busine table manners cultural analysis 3.1 Chinese and western busine table manners cultural characteristics
Since the beginning of the 21st century, cro-cultural communication has become an integral part of people\'s lives.Due to regional differences, different nations, different countries have formed a different culture.Culinary culture and table manners is an important part of the culture of nonverbal Intercultural Communication.Understand the differences in their origins in Western food culture and table manners, in terms of foreign language learners, not only to increase the understanding of learning the language and culture, but also to improve the succe rate of cro-cultural communication,
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caused misunderstandings and communicative disorders. Rational Westerners pay more attention to nutrition and survival. The sensibility of the Chinese people’ seek is to pursue the delicious and enjoy. Western cooking follows the norms and sciences. Western advocates of freedom and individuality of each weight, while the Chinese people longing for harmony and the overall weight.3.2 Chinese and western busine table manners cultural differences cause With the deepening constantly of integration in the world, etiquette between people more and more is paid more attention, especially the importance of table manners prominent, such as: Chinese and western culture is different. The way of thinking is different. The values are different.3.3 Chinese and western busine table manners cultural differences meaning To promote the economic development of China and the Western countries Improve the etiquette culture and widen the field of vision. Get more information about the western countries, increase understanding, narrow differences and enhance mutual cohesion and intimacy.
