中西方餐桌礼仪差异

中国是一个有着5000年文化历史的文明古国，一直有着其自己的餐桌礼仪。但随着改革开放的深入和加入世贸以后，跨国交际日益增多，中国就不能只注重自己的餐桌礼仪了，因为我们将面对来自世界各地的人。这些人来自陌生的文化和国家，他们的生活习惯，思维方式，行为方式与我们存在较大差异，以在交往过程中不可避免的会出现文化冲突的现象。而现在，跨文化交际已经成为人们生活中不可或缺的内容，饮食文化及餐桌礼仪也是跨文化交际中非语言文化的重要组成部分。我选这个题目的原因就是希望更多的了解再快文化交际中的餐桌礼仪，从而提高跨文化交际的成功率，避免因为不恰当的方式或行为造成误解和交际障碍。

With China's opening to the outside world gradually, western culture more and more into our life. Because what we face is unfamiliar cultures and countries, mode of thinking, life habits and behavior way and we be totally different people, in the process of interaction with the inevitable cultural conflict phenomenon seriously affected the smooth communications.Table manners in communication has occupied an important position, learning and applying proper table manners, has not only its own image, more is to improve benefit, need to improve competitiveness.

With the deepening of the international communication, from different countries and cultural backgrounds of people carried out exchanges, the exchange is called intercultural communication. Cross-cultural communication has become an indispensable content. As a result of the area difference, the different nationality, the country formed a different culture. People from different cultural backgrounds communicate information transmission effect, effect of these languages and the non-language factors in intercultural communication cultural

communication. If we do not understand, there will be an inappropriate behavior, resulting in communication barriers, it is very difficult to carry out effective cross-cultural communication, so that communication errors.

In the Chinese saying goes,\" food is not made, do not sleep\Chinese traditional culture on table manners in terms of the interpretation of the phenomenon, while in western culture if people in the meal with neighbour conversation, have lost. Here we will analysis Chinese and western table manners and speech acts in the similarities and differences, because it is to understand the differences between Chinese culture and Western culture is very helpful. The previously mentioned saying \" eat not the words, do not sleep\" is not a ban. Whether ancient or modern, formal or informal dinner, people will not be silent, at least to some toast, blessing ceremony, it is just to remind everyone on this occasion speak as little as possible, not only to speech, and don't slip of the tongue, the best course is to speak less, because\" he that talks much errs much\". This also reflects the ancient Chinese Confucianism, Confucius once said,\" don't speak to, speak to the purpose\". Means not say that did not say, that would hit the mark, it is also very serious talk art.On the other hand,\" food is not made\" it embodies the scientific diet principle, more in line with the modern social principle. As a member of our ancient oriental country, should all be on your own country's table manners about one or two, only in this way can we be worthy of thousands of years of history and civilization, not only expose oneself to ridicule.

Chinese table manners and the problem that should note

Table manners in Chinese life and order in the full possession of a very important position, eating is not only way to meet their basic physiological needs method, but also is the most important social experience. The round table is popular in China, not only can sit more people, and we can sit face to face, the head of the family 's identity and unlike western long table clearly through his seat and identification. Guests should be invited to sit down and wait for the host, the owner must be careful not to let the guests sitting in a seat near the serving, this is a taboo. Will have to wait until all the people here can only be the beginning of any form of dining, even if they have to wait for being late. Once you place, owner will do the prologue.During the meal, the owner must assume a proactive role, urging guests enjoy eating and drinking. In the eyes of Westerners, Chinese table looks quite empty, before each seat visible one on disc bowl, right is a set of chopsticks and spoons, were placed in their own seat.

Chopsticks are eating a tool, so do not play with, regard them as drumstick is a very rude behavior, but can not use chopsticks pointing to the person or motioned. Of course, absolutely can not suck or to chopsticks chopsticks inserted in rice, it is taboo. This is like the funeral of incense, is considered unlucky.Can not use chopsticks in a non-stop flipping Diecai years, should be certain to get food. Take food, try to avoid the encounter other food. If possible, use chopsticks.

The mouth of food, should be avoided. Don't gulp plug food, food is ingested, can't plug entrance. Can not be reached across, long extract. When eating, do not produce large noise, will lead to others.

Western dining etiquette and the problem that should note

Westerners eat with forks when eating, main, plate in the middle, knife and spoon to the right of the plate, the fork on the left. When drinking, right hand with a knife or fork, spoon, cup with the right hand end. The knife and fork with different specifications, in accordance with the use of the different size.Speak or talk, should be the knife and fork on the plate. Do not take a knife and fork to dance with joy about, nor speak forks standing up in his hands, never extravagant laughter or loud noises, this will make people feel tremble with fear in one's boots. The knife can not be placed above the entrance, regardless of whether food.

Wine dinner, is an indispensable beverage. In China, between subject and object will not stop to drink a toast and a cup of wine, drink, we say \"cheers\". In the west, toast, just a little drink, do not drink. Eating not munching, you also don't sound the same, and Chinese etiquette. If continue to Western guests with the food, he may feel uncomfortable. Coffee spoon is used to stir, not to drink, nor in the cup. After the meal, deal with guest host thanks, thanks to his arrival.

Western dinner table culture differences

Chinese dinner, put it on the desk of the cauliflower like variety, at least seven or eight dishes, if the feast, will be more, more expensive, it demonstrates their enthusiasm and guest. And a host would say\" no good food hospitality of the people\While western feast in general to five dish, component to finish or slightly surplus

is the best. At home, it is best to finish all the food, so the hostess will happy, think people like her cooking. In the face of a feast, the host will say\" have all to entertain you\". Therefore, Chinese like\" self denigration\while the Westerners emphasize efficiency and pragmatism values, in communication is very focused on their own face need.

But the Westerners do not at the banquet on turn one's stomach thing, will make every attempt by implicitly gentle words to replace\" toilet\can I: wash my hand?\I wonder if I could go somewhere\Can I add some powder?\". In addition, in western countries don't ask\" for dinner?\" China's habit of greeting.\" You eat?\" Tends to be rather baffling, there may even be a misunderstanding. As in the UK, if you ask people do not eat, the implication is you are interested please each other to eat; for unmarried men and women, indicates that you are interested in dating each other.

Chinese and Western diet in the concept, content, etiquette and other aspects of the differences in culture, can be found on the root. Of course, the Western diet culture difference is relative. Under the situation of globalization of intercultural communication, the diversity of food culture to increase the complementarity and compatibility. As the East-West cultural exchanges, the Chinese diet culture in and world culture collision will appear new characteristic, new changes. It is hand contributes more to the Chinese diet culture in exchange, the collision of Bocaizhongzhang, and constantly improve the development, has always maintained a strong vitality; on the other hand will promote the Chinese food culture in the worldwide spread and development.

Reference

Hu Wenzhong,\" Intercultural Communication Studies\Beijing: foreign language teaching and Research Press, 1999

Bi Jiwan,\" Intercultural Nonverbal Communicationeaching and Research Press, 1999

Hu Wenzhong, the English custom of\" comparison\foreign language teaching and Research Press, 1999

Bian Haoyu,\" on the differences between Chinese and Western food culture\Journal of Nanjing Forestry University, 2004