摘要：隨著經(jīng)濟(jì)全球化的發(fā)展，餐桌禮儀變得越來越重要。本文著重從座次安排﹑餐具使用﹑上菜順序﹑餐桌話語等方面比較中西方的差異。通過對比，發(fā)現(xiàn)中西餐桌禮儀的異同，可以更好尊重彼此的文化，便于開展文化交流與多邊合作。

關(guān)鍵詞：餐桌禮儀 中西 差異

中圖分類號：TS971 文獻(xiàn)標(biāo)識碼：A 文章編號：1672-5336（2015）04-0095-01

Abstract：With the development of global economy， table manners become more and more important than ever before。This paper will focus on the comparison and contrast of table manners between China and Western country. Through comparison， we can find that the differences between Chinese and Western table manners. Knowing the differences， we have a better understanding of the respective cultural traditions of China and the west，and it will promote the cross-cultural communication and cooperation.

Key Words：table manners；China and the West；differences

1 Introduction

In recent years， China’s economy develops faster than ever before ， there are more and more cross-cultural communications between Chinese and the westerners. Without knowing other country’s culture， the misunderstandings of communication happen frequently in grand ceremonies， some Chinese businessmen go to other country do business， owing lack of cultural connotation .

2 Similarities in Table Manners between China and the West

Western table manners have an effect on China and some table manners have been introduced into China. However， we should not drink too much wine， we should drink moderate. When you finish a meal， it is important to show generously and leave staff a good impression.

3 Differences in Table Manners between China and the West

3.1 Differences in table setting

3.1.1 Table setting in Western countries

When eating delicious food ，western people choose long table. The ranking way of western table is： the host and the hostess should sit at the two side of the table， while guests sit at other seats. In western countries， as is known to all， women are usually first， so gentlemen are always hospitable to women.

3.1.2 Table setting in China

While in China， the round tables are their best choice when they entertain their friends or their family. Chinese people care about how to order table and where is the appropriate seat. In China， host will choose appropriate size of table banquet before invite their friends. If the banquet is small， which has two round tables， the left of which is senior and the right of which is inferior. In Chinese table setting arrangement， there are three rules we should keep in mind： left is honor and right is low， the middle seat is senior， and the seat which opposite of the honor is guests.

3.2 Differences in order of courses

3.2.1 Westerrn country

In Western country， before eating dinner， people keep silent and pray ，thank god give their food. Dinner often starts with small dishes ，which is called appetizer. If you are in someone’s family you may see some family member use their fingers when they eating chicken or other birds， you can follow them but never touch meat in bones. The last is dessert， which is coffee or ice cream， you can enjoy it.

3.2.2 China

In China， dinner often starts with cold food， such as eggs， beef and other cold dishes， soft drinks and wine would be served at the same time. The order of courses should be kept in mind： first cold dishes and then hot dishes. It is polite that hot dishes should be put at the left side of the guest， and when small dishes are served， the guest should eat first and then the host， whole chicken， and whole fish cannot put their heads and tails toward the host.

4 Conclusion

In conclusion， different countries have different table manners ， which endow with different cultural connotation. People around the world have a better understanding of table manners between China and the West， so that they can face globalizing world. Learning the differences between Chinese and Western countries， it can not only help us have a good knowledge of cultural differences， but also promote exchanges between leaders.

References

[1]Larry A. Sanovar ： Communication between cultures [M]. Wadsworth Publishing.Table Manners， 2005-12-21 http：//www.wzsec.com.

[2]What are the differences between Chinese and western table manners[J].（2006）.China National Tourism Administration.