小论文The differences of table manners between China and West

The differences of table manners between China and West

Abstract

With the development of global economy, cross-culture communication has become more and more frequent, and the differences between Chinese and western culture have become obvious, and as an important part of culture, table manners are what we should know. Different countries will have different table manner. Foods are playing an important role in our life whatever in China or West. So the understanding of table manner is becoming more important. Having dinner is not only our basic physical needs, but also a very important social experience. And the English people require high quality of dishes. The communication at table is dainty. For instance, they also give attentions to the appearance when you are eating. It will help us to deal with some problem. When we are handling with international affairs and taking part in formal parties, the table manners are the basic on it. This article exactly focuses on the comparison of the difference between Chinese and western table manners and help reader to understand it. And avoid cultural shock. Meanwhile we should respect the others’culture, and spread our own customs to the other countries. Key words: China; West; table manners; difference

China is a nation of etiquette, whose table manners have a long history. In fact, western countries have their own peculiar dinning custom. Difference place will have difference foods, languages and custom. In ancient time, they are many people who are studied the table manners make people understand it further. And it will help us to understand the difference table manners, not be laughed at other countries. In this article , I will refer to three sides about table manners. (一)Arrangement of Seat

In China: Generally, seats that closer to the top table take precedence. As we all know, on the wedding party, family members of the bride or the leaderships, teachers are arranged to the table that closest to the top table. Hosts show their reverences to the guests by arranging seats by this way. Meanwhile, if you watch carefully you will see that the seat opposite to the door is the honor seat, which is for chief guests or elders; the seats beside are the second honor seat which are for other guests; and the seats that opposite to the honor seat are the inferior seat. Inferior seats are for the host and hostess. So we can say left is honor and right is secondary.

In western: is different from China, western people prefer long table to round table when entertaining friends. The host and the hostess seat at both end of the table, while guests seat at other seats. The chief guest sits at the upper right side of the hostess, and the wife of the chief guest seats at the upper right side of the host. So we can say right is honor and left is secondary.

(二）T ableware

In China: As a Chinese, we must know that tableware is necessary for table manner, and it involve chopsticks, small dish, bowl and glass. Chopsticks and spoon are always put together on the right hand of the plate. Sometime toothpick and ashtray are also necessary. Now I will main say chopsticks. We may remember that when we are young, we should learn how to use chopsticks, it not so easy to learn it. Because chopsticks are the main table wares in Chinese food culture. Of course, you should know that it is impolite to use chopsticks to clean tooth, or pick other things that aren’t food. It is impolite to put the spoon in to mouth, or lick the spoon over and over again.

In western: they use so much table wares with different occasion. And in different countries with different foods it will have different table wares. But the main table wares are knives, forks, spoons, glass and napkin. During the dinner, you should put knife and fork on both sides of the plate, and their should be put in the way that looks like the Chinese word“八”. And you should know that knife is used to cut food and fork is used to carry food into mouth. Another thing, you must remember that handle in your right hand and fork in the left hand. Soup spoon is always put on the outermost right side, together with the knife. (三）A tmosphere

In China: Chinese table atmosphere always noisy and always the noisier the better. For example, on the wedding party, the bride and bridegroom drank a toast to guests, the atmosphere is noisy. Sometimes, we can see in the restaurant it very noisy. When people begin to talk at the time they sit down, and they would keep talking during the whole dinner. Everybody will enjoy the pulsating atmosphere. Maybe noisy atmosphere can reflect the guests’happiness from their hearts.

In Western: it completely opposite of China, western table atmosphere is quiet. Of course, it is not mean that they don’t talk on the table. But they talk quietly and keep the voice at the stage that can only be heard. You can not make noises when drinking soup. Chewing with your mouth closed and does not making noises when eating. If you forget it, it will be considered to be an impolite act.

In the end, they are also other table manners. I just talk about main three table manners. And we can see that the Chinese table manners and western table manners have many similarities and differences. And we must remember that every culture in the world is equal, we should avoid using our own culture, morality and behavior ourselves in the banquet. I hope it can some people to understand it and the survival abroad.