1、中西方餐桌礼仪的差异Different Table Manners between China and the WestI摘 要不同的国家和民族由于地区差异形成了不同的文化，而不同国家的社会生活方式则形成了不同的饮食文化及餐桌礼仪。饮食文化及餐桌礼仪是非语言文化的重要组成部分。作为一名外语学习者，了解中西方饮食文化及餐桌礼仪方面的差异及其渊源是必要且必须的。因为这不仅仅可以增加对所学语言文化的认识，更加有助于提高跨文化交际的成功率，避免由不合适的行为或方式所形成的误解。本文第一部分分别对中西方餐桌礼仪做简要概括。第二部分为本文核心，从餐具，座次，点餐及用餐氛围四个方面具体介绍中西方餐桌礼仪的差
2、异。第三部分从地理因素，价值观，及传统习俗入手，讲述形成中西方餐桌礼仪差异的原因。以此三个部分展现餐桌礼仪在中西方文化交流中的重要性。关键词：餐桌礼仪；差异；原因IIAbstractDifferent countries and nations have different cultures as a result of regional differences. The social lifestyle of different countries form different diet culture and table manner, which is an important part
3、 of non language culture. As a foreign language learner, it is necessary to learn the differences between Chinese and Western food culture and table manners. Because it can not only increase the comprehension of the language culture, but also help to improve the success rate of intercultural communi
4、cation, so as to avoid the misunderstanding caused by improper behavior or manner. The first part of this paper gives a brief summary of Chinese and western table manners. The second part is the core of this paper, describing accurately the differences between Chinese and western table manner from f
5、our aspects that are tableware, seat arrangement, serving order and dining atmosphere. The third part introduces the reasons that the differences between Chinese and western table manner from the geographical factors, values, and traditional customs. The purpose of this paper shows that table manner
6、 plays an important role in the process of cultural communication between Chinese and western culture.Key words: Table manner; differences; Reasons; IIIContents摘 要 IAbstractIIContentsIII1 Introduction .12 The Different Table Manners Between China and West 22.1 Difference in Dinnerware.22.2 Differenc
7、es in Serving Order .32.3 Differences in Seat Arrangement .42.4 Differences in Atmosphere 53 The Reasons 63.1 Geographic Factor63.1 The View of Value .73.2 Traditional Culture .84 Conclusion.9References 911 IntroductionTable manner refers to the common polite eating standard in human society. On the
8、 contrary, some behaviors when eating are regarded as rude and destroying others appetite. In accordance with different culture of different countries, there are different table manners.According to the literature, Chin Chinese daily life. Whereas, table manner has high statue. While eating with tra
9、ditional Chinese family, we have to respect their traditional culture and custom. Table manner occupies a important place in the modern Chinese life order. They think that eating is not just to meet the basic physical need, but also essential social experience. Therefore it is particularly important
10、 to master some ceremonial knowledge about Chinese table manner,ese table manner has formed a quite complete system since Zhou Dynasty. This traditional banquet are still remaining in most parts of China. As the saying goes, food is the paramount necessity of the people. In this way can we see that
11、eating diet plays a significant role in whether you are a host or a guest. Western table manner originated in Merovingian Dynasty, France affected by the Byzantine culture. At the Roman Empire Time, table manner became more complex and autocratic. The emperor, sitting in the tallest chairs, must rec
12、eive the dishes taken by the ministers when music was sounded. Before the seventeenth century, eating with hat was the traditional custom. In the imperial era, different nations have different eating habits as table manner is more cumbersome and harsh. When the Romans ate lunch, they usually lied on
13、 the chairs. Before eating, British put their hands on the leg, while French put their hands on the table. European table manner is developed on the basis of knights spirit. In the twelfth century, the Italian culture spread to France so that table manner became elegant and refined. Today, there has
14、 formed a complete set of table manners.22 The Different Table Manners Between China and West2.1 Difference in DinnerwareChopsticks, which have a long history of 3000 years, are the typical Chinese tableware consistent with the traditional “harmony“ thought. There are three notes that we must pay at
15、tention to about the use of chopsticks: first, place chopsticks neatly on the right side of the bowl before eating. Second, do not use chopsticks to make a sound, lick chopsticks, or point at anyone with chopsticks. Taking particular notice, do not insert the chopsticks in rice or pasta, because it
16、is very similar to the ancient ritual candles and symbolizes infelicity. Chopsticks are necessary, as are spoons, plates, cups, napkins, toothpicks. The spoon is used for soup or other small morsels of food. Proper soup is at three-quarter of the bowl. Remember not to put soup too full to smear the
17、table cloth or clothing. In general, the big plates are for a variety of dishes, small plates for the food dish to hold the incoming food from the public plates. Too many things are not proper in the table cover so as to avoid oil to spill, and put thorns on the front end of the plate. Napkins are o
18、ften used in some large hotels. Before dinner, the waiters will prepare a hot wet towel for the guests. A small handleless wine cup cup is usually on the left of the dish for the Chinese alcohol.Western dinnerware are mainly the knife and fork which were widely used by France in the European contine
19、nt in the 18th century. Westerners using knife and fork is consisted with their culture about nomadism and maritime, which shows vividly that they are competitive and adventurous. Before eating, knife and fork are placed in accordance with the rule : left fork and right knife both sides of the plate
20、 respectively, with the blade took inward. When eating, right hand take the knife to cut food without blade outward, while left hand use the fork to eat food. If not to eat temporarily, one should place knife and fork in “eight“ shape with the blade toward oneself. When the meal is finished, the for
21、k should 3be raised on the back and the blade is folded inward with the fork. Besides knife and fork, spoons, napkin, glass are also essential for Western dinner. Spoons are divided into two types: soup spoons and sweet spoons. A large spoon is next to the knife, while small dessert spoon are placed
22、 on the top of the dessert dish. When drinking soup, one should take the spoon with the right hand. After drinking, one should place it in the opposite side of the plate. The napkin is usually prepared on the plate before the meal.The wine glasses are placed with the order : liqueur glass, red wine
23、glasses, champagne glasses, beer mugs. And the type of wine is the same as the type of wine. The wine glass is usually on the right side of the knife.2.2 Differences in Serving OrderIn Chinese banquet, appetizers, the first dish, are sometime made of four kinds of cold platet. Representative appetiz
24、ers are the bean cured mixed with hopped green onion, cold cuts ox-trip and so on. After the cold plate, four hot plates are followed that usually are fried shrimp, fried pork and so on. Hot plates can be not served if guests do not want. There are two points when serving hot plate. First, the waite
25、r ought to serve from the left of the opposite seat of the most important guest. Second, waiter could not put the heads of the animals for example chicken to point at the chief seat because it is a really unlucky behavior. The following are the main course, also known as large dishes, will be taken
26、on the table. If the menu is marked “eight pieces“, it says that there are a total of eight main course. The number of courses in the main course is usually four, six, eight and other even, since the Chinese people think that even is the the symble of good luck. In the luxurious banquet, the numbers
27、 of main course even can be up to ten kinds of species. These dishes are made of different materials, added acid, sweet, bitter, spicy, salty flavors, with fried, steamed, boiled, fried, roasted, fried and other cooking methods .Most of the order of the dishes are matched interactively, for example,
28、 combining light taste with oily and great taste. Soup is the end. Desserts, such as small steamed bread filled with bean paste, almonds and so on, are provided after the main course. Last are the fruits, which are good for digesting. 4In western banquet, the appetizer is also the first dish which i
29、s specialty. As for the first dish, it usually match with aperitif. It is westerners favorite snack with acid and crisp taste. The second dish, extremely different from China, is soup which is classified generally into five categories: vegetable soup, cold soup, cream soup, pureed soup,and clear sou
30、p. Next is side dish, also called fish dish, including a variety of seafood such as shellfish and mollusks for the seafood is full of nutrition and good for lung and eye. The fourth dish is main course, which also known as poultry or meat dish. Delicious steak or lamb is the most common main course.
31、 After greasy meat dish, it is right time for salad, refreshing vegetable dish, such as tomato, broccoli, onion and so on. The following dish are desserts which have many different kinds. They can be chocolate cookie, croissant, mousse cake, macaronis. Coffee is the final drinking, which can be adde
32、d milk and sugar according to your own taste. It also has different kinds such as blue mountain coffee, latte, mocha and so on. 2.3 Differences in Seat ArrangementIn the Chinese table manner, at the beginning, let guests attend the seats, then please the elderly sit next to the guests. One should se
33、at from the left side of the chair. When sitting on the chair, one should not move the chopsticks, or make noise, let alone walks casually. Host invites guests to have seats and should not let guests sit close to the place where dishes are served. If you are the master, you should point at a chair a
34、nd say to the guest with a gentle tone: “please sit here.“ There are three fundamental way for sitting arrangement: first, taking the seat that master sits as a sign, the guests on his right is honor, comparatively speaking, the left is of lower position. Second, first host should sit towards the ma
35、in door so that shows the distinguished identification, then the guests of honor sit on the right of master. As for deputy chief guests, they should sit on the left. Third, if the position of the guest of honor is superior to the host, the host is able to ask guest whether he wants to have a seat wh
36、ere the host should have seated, and if the guest says yes , then the host should sit on the right of main seat. However, if the guest is so modest that he refuses to do it persistently, host should stop it. While in the family banquet, the older are 5the most reputable.Western people believe the sa
37、me principle that the right is honor and the left is low as Chinese. As soon as hostess tells guests that the dinner is ready, the host will introduce the guests to have a seat. If you are a careful master, you will take nametag on the table in order to show seats for everyone. however, the seat arr
38、angement is usually followed the rule that female and male sit separately without name cards. Hosts seat is on the right of hostess. The other couples are diagonally seated. Couple sitting individually shows the opening and lively nature of the American banquet. They hope that the banquet can be use
39、d to enhance the relationship of each other and relaxing atmosphere. “ Lady first is generally followed in seat arrangement when people have a dating and hold some informal occasion. When a gentleman shares a supper with a woman, the gentleman ought to make sure that woman sits inside and sits far f
40、rom the aisle in case that waiter or other customers run into her. If there are many people, men should lead the women sit in the middleWhat is more, men pulls the chair for woman and then lets women sit. But if there are just two man having dinner, the junior sit outside.2.4 Differences in Atmosphe
41、reWhen When Chinese people have delicacies from land and sea they often talk of everything under the sun, which shows that hostess is so passionate and hospitable. Besides, lively table atmosphere can reflect the guests joy. The active atmosphere reflects the happiness of family, and harmony of the
42、nation in a sense. Chinese people usually prepare a wild variety of dishes for the guests who are invited to have dinner, which is no less than seven or eight dishes. The more delicious and expensive the dishes are, the more honorable guests appear. The words between the meal can exactly express the
43、 modest characters of Chinese. Although the hostess elaborates perfectly, she would say: Hope you bear with me that the dish does not cook well. Please forgive me, I just prepare a little food. Or some modest words similar like this. At the middle time of the dinner, the host and hostess will take f
44、ood for the guests with serving chopsticks. Then ask guests: “ Do you enjoy the dish? Would you like some more? And sooner later, the host will ask this again 6and again. The guest would answer : The dish is really delicious, I would like just a little more. The words are mixed up with a little sham
45、e.By contrast, in the western countries, people think that excessive noise is rude, and only the quiet and orderly atmosphere can show noble. There not exist these phenomenons such as persuading to drink alcohol and carrying food for others. This reflects the respect for the individual in the wester
46、n culture. People hardly talk with each other but to cut and eat their food with fork quietly. They avoid making noise while eating and drinking. Even if they have something important to talk, they keep the sound that both of them can heard only. While in western dinner, there are four or five dishe
47、s. If it is at home, the guest had better eat all of the food, so the hostess will be very happy because of her good cook. Usually, host simply say to guest: help yourself. When the host ask: would you like more fried chicken? The guest just answer according to himself. If he is full enough, he said
48、: no, thanks. If not, he should answer: yes, I would like some more chicken. After dinner, guest would say it was out of the world! So delicious! I licked the plate clean. or I made a pig of myself. In this way can make hostess happy.3 The Reasons3.1 Geographic Factor China is located in the east As
49、ia-Europe continental monsoon climate zone, rain and heat over the same period, very suitable for growing plant, which forms Chinese peoples plant character. Most western countries are located in temperate maritime climate zone, which is the perfect place for natural pasture. So western people are fond of meat. For Europeans, pasture means food, and food means survival, which in turn leads to their expansion and the formation of aggressive character. There are big animals such as cattle and sheep in the vast ranch, so their diets are mainly steak and lamb, and thus have the argument
