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1、A Comparative Study of Cultural Differences in Chinese and Western Table MannersA Thesis presented to the College of Foreign LanguagesChongqing University of Posts and TelecommunicationsIn Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Bachelor of ArtsbyZhou YiJune 2019摘 要近年来，随着国际贸易的迅猛发展，信息和
2、交通运输技术的快速提高使国与国之间的联系更加频繁，跨文化交际已经成为人们生活中不可或缺的内容。在这种大的背景下，我们必须了解不同文化下的各种差异，具备跨文化交际能力。今天，餐桌礼仪已经逐渐成为影响跨文化交际成功与否的重要因素之一。但对于各国在餐桌礼仪上的差异，人们总是无意识地会以本民族或群体的文化为标准，理解或评价另一民族或群体的文化，这往往会导致误解的发生。所以为了减少在跨文化交际当中的误解与冲突，我们就应该研究和理解深藏在餐桌礼仪背后的文化因素。关键字：餐桌礼仪；差异；文化；原因AbstractRecent years, with the rapid development of inte
3、rnational trade, the fast improvement of information and transportation technology, the contact between countries is more frequent. Intercultural communication has become an indispensable element in peoples lives. Therefore, we must know the differences between different cultures to have the ability
4、 of cross-culture communication.Nowadays, it has already been one of the most important elements that have a great influence on intercultural communication. However, when understanding and evaluating the culture of another nation, people always treat their own culture as the standard. Thus, in order
5、 to reduce the misunderstandings and conflicts in cross-cultural communication, we should carefully study and understand the cultural factors through table manners.Key words: table manners; differences; culture; reasonsOutlineTitle: A Comparative Study of Cultural Differences in Chinese and Western
6、Table MannersThesis Statement: Chinese and western table manners differ in tableware, arrival of time, atmosphere, seat arrangement and topic.1. The background to research the differences between Chinese and Western table manners.2. Differences in dining etiquette2.1 Differences in tableware 2.2 Dif
7、ferences in arrival of time2.3 Differences in atmosphere on table2.4 Differences in seating arrangement 2.5 Differences in the topic on table3. The causes of different dining custom3.1 The different origins of Chinese etiquette and the Western etiquette3.2 The Impact of the Western Culture and Chine
8、se Culture on Etiquette3.3 The Impact of Different Hierarchism of People Status on Etiquette3.4 The differences in religious faith4. ConclusionBibliography1. The background to research the differences between Chinese and Western table manners.In the 21st century, intercultural communication has beco
9、me an indispensable content in peoples life. Due to the regional differences, different nationalities and states have formed different cultures. Cooking culture and table manners play a significant role of nonverbal culture in cross-cultural communication. Since the natural environment and the way p
10、eople work are distinct, Chinese and western etiquette differs in many aspects. Chinas cooking culture, with a long history, is of extensive knowledge and profound scholarship. According to historical records, at least in the Zhou Dynasty, eating etiquette has formed a very comprehensive system. The
11、se rituals are getting more and more perfect, which played an important role in ancient time, and still have a influence on modern society. Western table manners originated in Merovingian France. In the 20th century, with the Italian culture getting into France, not only did table manners and menu e
12、xpressions become more elegant and delicate, but also books teaching etiquette appeared in succession. Today, table etiquette is still spreading in European countries. For foreign language learners, it is quite useful to know the differences and origin of Chinese and western food culture. We can not
13、 only increase the understanding of the target language culture, but improve the success rate of intercultural communication, which can help to avoid misunderstandings and communication barriers because of inappropriate behavior.2. Differences in dining etiquette2.1 Differences in tableware In China
14、, people use chopsticks. As everyone knows, chopsticks are the most significant tableware for Chinese. And there are also some rules to abide by when using it. For example, before dinner, chopsticks must be put on the right of rice bowl tidily. While after the meal, it should be placed in the middle
15、 of rice bowl. Whether there are remnants on chopsticks or not, please do not lick. It is polite to put down your chopsticks when talking with other people. And when take food for others, use public chopsticks. But sometimes the Chinese host uses their own chopsticks to put food in your bowl or plat
16、e, which is a sign of politeness. In the west, people use knives and forks. When eating western-style food, a knife should be held in the right hand and a fork should be held in left hand. Whats more, the different ways knives and forks place have different meanings. For example, if you have not yet
17、 finished the meal, and you have to leave for a while, you can put the knife and fork separately as a triangle. Then the service person will not receive your plate. If you have already finished the meal, you should parallel the knife and fork.Chinese use chopsticks, while westerners use knives and f
18、orks. From most peoples point of view, chopsticks and knife and fork just differ in their structure. However, they also represent the difference between both collectivism and individualism. Westerners use knives and forks to cut food and separate it, which represents individualism. The Chinese use c
19、hopsticks to grasp the entire food, which means unity and collectivism.2.2 Differences in arrival of timeWhen it comes to time concepts, the westerners and Chinese have different views. Time and money is always connected together by westerners. As a saying goes, time is money, which has become deepl
20、y ingrained in their mind. Therefore, they value their time a lot, they carefully plan and manage their time. They are often filled with a sense of urgency of time. They have a good hobby that they go to party on time. If they have to go somewhere to have dinner with others, they must arrive on time
21、. Usually, when they want to go to someones home for dinner, they always get at five minutes earlier. It isnt very polite for you to get much earlier, maybe the hostess is busy doing preparation and so it is not suitable for you to reach at that time. But in China, we dont pay much attention on the
22、time. We dont have certain standards about arrival time. To arrive earlier, on time or a little late are all allowed.2.3 Differences in atmosphere on tableThe fundamental difference of Chinese and western table manners reflects on the Mensal atmosphere. Chinese people regard the moment enjoying the
23、delicious food as the happiest time in their life. On the table, Chinese are very enthusiastic. While having dinner, Chinese always like sitting around the table together to eat and drink, speak and laugh loudly to build liveliness and warmth table atmosphere. Only in this way can represent hosts en
24、thusiasm and sincerity. The lively atmosphere on the table reflects the joy of guests as well.Different from the Chinese table manners, western countries do not like the noisy ambiance. They advocate freedom and consider that it is very rude and impolite to have dinner with noise, and quiet dinning
25、environment is well-liking habit. Westerners tend to respect the guests own ideas. They will ask you to help yourself. On the table, they will cut and eat their food quietly. When drinking soups, its impolite to make any noise. If the soup is overheating, dont blow it with your mouse, and you can pu
26、t it aside and drink it later. If you want to talk with someone, the candidate is better to be someone around, because if someone is in a distance, you may make noise when you are talking. If somebody is speaking, do not cut in. If you are chewing, do not speak. They prefer a quiet, enjoyable and pe
27、aceful environment. In their opinion, people should keep image even having meals. In traditional Chinese culture, people are exquisite when attending various dinner parties. With the change and development of modern customs, it has the progressive side and the backward side. For example, compared wi
28、th the past, clothing becomes more optional when taking meals, which just reflects the changes and developments of traditional culture. Nowadays, a great many of westerners, especially Americans, not only dont like smoking and drinking, but dont like others smoking and drinking in their house.(位置调整)
29、 But in China, the opposite is true. Many people smoke and drink. It seems that it is hard to socialize without smoking and drinking, which has become a strange phenomenon. So, on the table, those bad habits still exist and cannot ban it, although they know it has a bad influence.2.4 Differences in
30、seating arrangement Both in China and in the west, people are particular in seating arrangement of formal banquette. Traditionally, Chinese use square table and the regular arrangement is that the seats affronting to the door are the most important, while seats on both sides are partial seats. So, t
31、he elderly and the guests of honor or high status should sit at the door-affront seat. The host and hostess will sit at the partial seats together with general guests.In western countries, people usually use long table. Host and hostess sit at both ends, and the guests of honor sit besides them. The
32、n ordinary guests sit along with them. That is to say, more nearer to the host and hostess, more important he/she is. What should pay attention to is that seat arrangement should treat the hostess as benchmark, guest of honor sitting at the upper right of the hostess and the wife of him sitting at t
33、he upper right of the host.2.5 Differences in the topic on tableIn China, when people give a dinner party, generally, there are at least seven or eight dishes on the table. The meal usually begins with a set of at least four cold dishes, to be followed by the main courses of hot meat and vegetable d
34、ishes. Soup then will be served (unless in Guangdong style restaurants) to be followed by staple food ranging from rice, noodles to dumplings. If it is a grand banquet, the number of main courses will be more. People in China tend to over-order food, for they will find it embarrassing if all the foo
35、d is consumed. When you have had enough, just say so. Or you will always overeat! Even dishes are delicious enough, the host often say” There is nothing good to serve you.” or “ Please forgive me for todays meal.” In the west, there are usually four or five dishes. It is proper to finish all or have
36、 a few remaining. If youre served at home, its better to eat up all the dishes, which would satisfy the hostess, because it shows that everyone likes her cooking. And the host would like to say dishes have been prepared and ask you to help yourself. Ordinarily westerners emphasis on efficiency and p
37、ragmatism value and they are very concerned about face. The westerners prefer to use implicit and gentle word to instead of inelegant ones. For instance, in order to instead of toilet, they would like to say where can I wash my hands, or can I add some powder.2.6 Differences in eating manners In tra
38、ditional Chinese culture, people are exquisite when attending various dinner parties. With the change and development of modern customs, it has the progressive side and the backward side. For example, compared with the past, clothing become more optional when taking meals, which just reflects the ch
39、anges and developments of traditional culture. Nowadays, a great many of westerners, especially Americans, not only dont like smoking and drinking, but dont like others smoking and drinking in their house. But in China, the opposite is true. Many people smoke and drink. It seems that it is hard to s
40、ocialize without smoking and drinking, which has become a strange phenomenon. So, on the table, those bad habits still exist and cannot ban it, although they know it has a bad influence.3. The causes of different dining customGenerally speaking, the essence of interpersonal communication is culture.
41、 People in the process of socialization have formed their own value system, which is the result of national society in the long-term and specific historical conditions, and is the unity of a variety of geography and climate, political system and economy. It is a habit of thinking, a kind of lifestyl
42、e and a way of behavior patterns. When communicating with foreigners, it can hardly avoid the comparison, collision and integration of values. Each of the principles of traditional rituals reflects not only the culture it represents, but a nations way of thinking and values which is the cultural ess
43、ence of the Chinese and western etiquette.3.1 The different origins of Chinese etiquette and the Western etiquetteIn China, etiquette is equal to courtesy and ceremony. The essence of etiquette is the method of dealing with people and the belief in ghosts and spirits. People consider that all things
44、 are controlled by the ghosts which can not be seen. Therefore, the etiquette is originated from the belief in ghosts and spirits, as well as a special form of belief in ghosts and spirits. China is a state of ceremonies. Back to five thousand years ago, etiquette used to be the core of traditional
45、culture. Up to now, the etiquette has been really reformed. Thus it becomes rituals of modern civilization. Chinese etiquette in Chinese culture plays a “quasi-legal” role. Etiquettes origins can be traced back to the early time of human beings. It should be said that at the very beginning of the hi
46、story of the Chinese nation, etiquette was generated along with the human activities and with a primitive religion. Etiquette is the system to deal with the three relationships among the people, God and the ghosts. It is said that there were “five ceremonies” in ancient China. In fact etiquette can
47、be divided into two main parts, one is politics, and the other is life. Chinese legal system was bred during the establishment and implementation of the protocol. The essence of etiquette is the way how to deal with people and the belief in ghosts and spirits.In the Western countries, the word etiqu
48、ette used to mean “keep off the grass”. Louis XIVs gardener noticed that the aristocrats were walking through his gardens and then he put up signs (etiquette) to warn them off. The dukes and duchesses walked right past these signs. Due to this blatant disregard, the king of Versailles decreed that n
49、o individual was to go beyond the bounds of the etiquettes. The meaning of etiquette would later include the ticket to court functions that lists the instructions on which a person would stand and what was to be done. Etiquette, like language, has evolved, but it still means literally “keep off the grass”. Until the 1960s, the importance of good manners was taught without question, but with the liberated 70s, it came a decline in the popularity
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