1、中西方餐桌礼仪对比分析英语专业Comparison of Table Manners between China and the WestAbstractIn todays world, with the globalization of economy, international business activities are increasingly frequent. With the increase of cross-border communication, the differences between Chinese and Western etiquette culture
2、 are more and more obvious. Chinese and Western food cultures have experienced a long history of development, and all kinds of eating habits have also formed its characteristics, which also brings inconvenience to the cross-cultural exchanges between China and the West. Understanding the differences
3、 between Chinese and Western table manners, and the cultural factors behind them is conducive to maintaining a good image in international exchanges and promoting mutual understanding and cooperation between China and the West. This paper takes Chinese and Western table manners as the research objec
4、t and compares the differences in terms of banquets, seating arrangement, the use of tableware, the use of napkins, order of meals, and dining atmosphere. Besides, the author discusses the reasons for the differences between Chinese and western table manners. The conclusion is that in todays increas
5、ingly globalized world, Chinese and Western table manners have become an important subject in global communication. Even if Chinese and Western table manners are gradually integrated, there still remain differences between Chinese and Western table manners. Understanding and learning the similaritie
6、s and differences between Chinese and Western table manners is very important for the exchange and reference of Chinese and Western cultures.Keywords: intercultural communication, table manners, differences 中西方餐桌礼仪对比分析摘 要当今世界，随着经济全球化，国际商务活动日益频繁。随着跨界交流的增多，中西礼节文化的差异越来越明显。中西饮食文化有着悠久的发展历史，各种饮食习惯也已经形成，这给
7、中西之间的跨文化交流带来了不便。了解中西餐桌礼仪的差异及其背后的文化因素，有利于在国际交流中保持良好的形象，促进中西之间的相互了解与合作。本文以中西餐桌礼仪为研究对象，对宴会，座位安排，餐具使用，餐巾使用，就餐顺序，就餐氛围等方面进行了比较，并讨论了造成中西餐桌礼仪差异的原因。结论是：在当今日益全球化的世界中，中西餐桌礼仪已成为全球交流中的重要主题。即使中西餐桌礼仪逐渐融合，中西餐桌礼仪之间仍然存在差异。了解和学习中西餐桌礼仪的异同对于中西文化的交流和借鉴非常重要。 关键词：中西方跨文化交际；餐桌礼仪；差异ContentsAbstract 摘 要 Introduction 11 Origin
8、of Chinese and Western Table Manners 21.1 Origin of Chinese Table Manners 21.2 Origin of Western Table Manners 22 Similarities between Chinese and Western Table Manners 43 Differences of Chinese and Western Table Manners 53.1 Banquets 53.2 Seating Arrangement 53.3 The Use of Tableware 63.4 The Use o
9、f Napkins 73.5 Order of Meals 83.6 Dining Atmosphere 94 Reasons for the Differences between Chinese and Western Table Manners 104.1 Different Agriculture Structures 114.2 Different Ways of Thinking between China and the West 124.3 Different Concepts of “Dignity” in Chinese and Western Culture 12Conc
10、lusion 13References 15Acknowledgments 16IntroductionWith the acceleration of economic globalization and information exchange, the collision between Chinese and Western cultures is particularly frequent, table manner plays an important role in international exchange and cooperation. China pays much a
11、ttention to etiquette, and the cultural differences between Chinese and western table manners are an important part of the cultural differences between China and Western countries. Only by thoroughly understanding the differences in attitudes between Chinese and Western tables can people better prom
12、ote exchanges and cooperation between countries The purpose of this paper is to introduce the origin and similarities and differences of Chinese and western table manners, summarize the reasons for such similarities and differences to help people better understand each others cultural differences, a
13、nd enhance cultural exchanges between China and the West. This paper takes Chinese and Western table manners as the research object and compares the differences in terms of banquets, seating arrangement, the use of tableware, the use of napkins, order of meals, and dining atmosphere, and discusses t
14、he reasons for the differences between Chinese and western table manners.Through research and comparison, this paper finds that in todays increasingly globalized world, Chinese and Western table manners have become an important theme in global exchanges. Even today, with increasing globalization, th
15、ere are still differences in Chinese and Western table manners. To understand the differences between Chinese and Western cultures can better promote the exchange and integration of the two cultures.1 Origin of Chinese and Western Table Manners1.1 Origin of Chinese Table MannersAccording to Wang (20
16、06, p.5), the origin of Chinese culture was initially reflected in the Shang and Zhou Dynasties, especially after the appearance of the Rites of Zhou, Chinese society has preliminary ethical norms, which was embodied in Chinese table culture.Wang (2006, p.6) also notes that rites of Zhou is a standa
17、rd of etiquette for the hierarchy. “Rites” refers to the political and moral standards for maintaining the hierarchy of the ruling class. Therefore, in Chinese society, especially at the dinner table, the first consideration is social status, followed by the ethics of father and son.Table manners pl
18、ay a very important role in Chinese peoples life. Under the historical background of backward productivity, people believed in supernatural power, and they expressed their best wishes to life through the worships of God. Therefore, the sacrificial utensils for offering sacrifices to the gods gradual
19、ly appeared, most of which were food utensils and wine utensils, such as the representative “Ding” (鼎). In Spring and Autumn period, the relevant theories of Confucianism were also integrated into table manners, such as seat arrangement, tableware, utensils used, related taboos, and so on. With the
20、strengthening of despotism, hierarchy becomes more and more obvious in table manners. In a family, people who were at low status did not even have the right to eat at the table. By the Qing Dynasty, autocracy had reached its peak, and the requirements for table manners had become more stringent. Peo
21、ple of different levels enjoyed different kinds of food. If anyone broke the rules, he was considered to be disrespectful to his superiors. (Wang, 2006, p.6)There is an old saying in China: “food is the most important thing for the people”. In the history of China, table manners have developed from
22、verbal restraint to present etiquette system. As a life skill, table manners have gradually entered peoples life and penetrated into their daily three meals.1.2 Origin of Western Table MannersAccording to Wang (2006, p.5), originated from the Merovinga Dynasty in France, the western countries table
23、manners were inspired by Byzantine Culture at that time, and developed a series of etiquette. By the time of the Roman emperor, etiquette was more varied and complicated. The person with the highest status sat on the highest chair to show the emperors distinguished status. When the music rings, the
24、noble ministers should personally pass the dishes to the emperor to show their respect to the emperor. In the early western countries, the emperor was the symbol of supreme power. Wang (2006, p.5) also notes that different nationalities have different eating habits: Gaul people sat and ate, French p
25、eople put their hands on the table, Roman people lay to eat, and British people did not put their hands on their thighs when they were eating. No matter which way of eating, it is the tradition of all nationalities. The strict table manners create the noble sense of Western aristocrats.Table manners
26、 in Europe evolved from chivalry. In the 12th century, when Italian culture influenced France, table manners and menu terms became more elegant, and books on etiquette teaching came out one after another. To this day, table manners, to a certain extent and within a certain range, are still preserved
27、 in European countries. (Zhang, 2009, p.7)2 Similarities between Chinese and Western Table MannersAlthough the development of table etiquette in China and the West is different, there are still some similar table manners between them. In terms of seating arrangement, Yi (2010, p.22) notes that in bo
28、th Chinese and western cultures, the left seat is a symbol of honor, that is to say, the left seat in the eyes of the guests or the seat on the right of the host belongs to the guest of honor. Besides, in the process of eating, Chinese and Western table manners also have some similarities. According
29、 to Han (2019, p.32), for example, both Chinese and western people tend to reduce the sound of chewing as much as possible to show respect for others. Additionally, when eating food with bones, people should spit the bones on the napkin and put them on the plate, instead of spitting them directly on
30、 the plate or on the table. What is more, when eating fish, both Chinese and western people do not turn the fish over, but remove the fish bone in the middle and eat the other side.Furthermore, Yi (2010, p.22) notes that no matter whether it is in Chinese table manners or Western table manners, peop
31、le are not allowed to leave the table during the meal. If someone has an emergency and has to leave the dinner early, it is necessary for him to whisper to the host and the guests on both sides to show apology.3 Differences of Chinese and Western Table Manners3.1 BanquetsAccording to Zhang (2009, p.
32、3), in China, the key to treat guests is to provide hearty dishes. The food and wine on the banquet should not only be rich, but also conform to the guests taste. For guests, it is best to leave some leftovers. Otherwise it would look as if the host were stingy. However, Li (2009, p.6) notes that in the west, there are usually four or five dishes on the table, and the best quantity of dishes is to be finished or have little surplus. For guests, if eating at home, it is best to finish all the dishes to show respect for the hostess.3.2 Seating Arrangement In Chi
