Etiquette Culture on Food and Beverages in China and the West

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1、中西方餐饮中的礼仪文化Etiquette Culture on Food and Beverages in China and the WestAbstract: With the development of politics, economy and culture, striving for civic virtues and having good manners have become increasingly common understanding of the public. Having good manners and observing the proprieties a

2、re a symbol of a nations civilization and an expression of a persons moral caliber and accomplishment level as well. In order to promote the development of society and economy, everyone needs to improve national quality and human relationship. It also needs to keep the social stability. People have

3、more and more opportunities to cooperate with foreigners since China has joined the WTO. Naturally, Chinese cannot avoid eating with foreigners. Nowadays eating is not only a basic requirement of physiology, but also an important experience in social life. A series of dining etiquette including eati

4、ng culture, eating method and tableware reflect different culture and life-style in nations or countries. There are many differences of etiquette on food and beverages in China and the West. To understand the differences of these two nations can not only avoid committing a breach of etiquette to eac

5、h other, but also promote the development of humanity culture in our country. Key words: food and beverages; etiquette; cultural difference摘 要： 随着政治、经济和文化的发展，讲究文明礼貌，注重礼仪礼节，越来越成为人们的一种共识。讲礼貌、懂礼仪是一个民族文明程度的标志，也是一个人道德水准和修养水平的体现。提高国民素质、改善人际关系、保障社会稳定对促进社会进步和经济发展有着不可忽视的作用。自从中国加入了WTO组织，就有了很多与外国友人合作的机会，这自然避免不

6、了共同用餐。如今人们用餐不单是满足基本的生理需要，也是很重要的社交经验。饮食文化、餐具、进食方式等一系列的餐饮礼仪都反应了不同国家和民族的社会生活方式和文化取向。中西方在餐饮礼仪方面的要求有着很多的差别，了解两者的不同不仅防止失礼与人而且促进本国人文文化的发展。关键词：餐饮；礼仪；文化差异ContentsI. Introduction.1II. The Origin of Etiquette on Food and Beverages1A. The origin of etiquette on food and beverages in China.1B. The origin of etiq

7、uette on food and beverages in the West.2C. Perspective on these views 3III. Differences in Dinner Etiquette between China and the West.3A. Differences in tableware .4B. Differences in table setting 5C. Differences in the dining atmosphere 5D. Differences in terms of discourse 6E. Differences in toa

8、sting 7IV. Culture Differences Reflected in the Dinner Etiquette Differences.7A. Differences in culture connotation7B. Differences in ways of thinking.8C. Differences in values9V. Conclusion 10Works Cited 12 Etiquette Culture on Food and Beverages in China and the WestI. IntroductionAny country or n

9、ation has their own unique traditional culture such as how to express their feelings, how to celebrate the festival, how to behave in a formal dinner party, etc. The cultural differences between different nations form the unique traditional culture. If everyone knows much knowledge of the cultures a

10、nd customs of the world, people can deal with the problems of etiquette successfully. Everyone knows that social rules were based on restraint or the ability to control ones tongue and actions. Language and action are the carrier of the intension of culture. Of course, language and action, which are

11、 close to peoples daily life are called etiquettes. Emily Post, the philosopher, offers a way of living: “Manners are made up of trivialities of deportment which can be easily learned if one does not happen to know them; manner is personalitythe outward manifestation of ones innate character and att

12、itude toward life” (Tang 341). Everyone knows that manner is also called etiquette. People can also find another statement about etiquette. Etiquette provides a codified method of dealing with social situations (Tang 342). According to the statement of Professor Tang, everyone knows etiquette is ver

13、y important in peoples daily life. With the development of politics, economy and culture, China has so many opportunities to cooperate with foreign countries. Foreign etiquette enters into Chinese peoples daily life day by day. Knowing about politeness and etiquette well is not only a sign of the de

14、gree of civilization of a nation, but also an expression of a mans moral standards and attainment levels. It is important for improving the development of social and economic. Therefore, everyone needs to know much knowledge about the etiquette in foreign countries. There are so many etiquettes in p

15、eoples daily life, but there is a folk saying goes in China “Hunger breeds discontent”. Diet is necessary in the life of humanity, and even in the existence or development. Cultural differences between China and the West create the differences of food culture and table manners. Understanding their d

16、ifferences and rectifying the attitudes towards the individual culture will help to avoid the contradictions and conflicts brought forth by different food culture and values, which promote culture exchange and development of the two countries. II. The Origin of Etiquette on Food and BeveragesA. The

17、origin of etiquette on food and beverages in China China has been referred to as the Nation of Etiquette. According to many westerners, however, Chinese people often act in what appears to be a discourteous manner. The origination of etiquette will track back to the ancient times. Tang Degen, the pr

18、ofessor, said that the origin of the Golden Rule as everyone interprets it, and which is, after all, the true basis of all etiquette, is accredited to Confucius, the sage of China (550-478 B.C.). Several times, he expressed that rule in his writings: “What you do is not like when you have done by yo

19、urselves, do not do to others” (Tang 342). Yao Weijun, the historian, sums up these ideas for three points. First, etiquette originates from the religion. Second, etiquette originates from the desire and will of the human being. Xunzi is the representative of this idea. Third, etiquette originates f

20、rom the exchange of goods. Therefore, there is an idiom “Courtesy demands reciprocity” (Yao 2). There are many ideas about the origination of etiquette. According to many researches, sacrifice is the first etiquette in Chinese history. However, at that time, people thought food was just a prop or an

21、 authenticating object in sacrifice. In other words, food in sacrifice is just for died people. When the purpose and quality of food are for eating and peoples daily life, the way of eating and drinking in culture and custom or habits are regarded as etiquette on food and beverages (Mu 106). Therefo

22、re, etiquette on food and beverages is an important part of etiquette. According to entry, first etiquette on food and beverages forms in peoples daily life. At that time, people shared food with each other and they were not restricted by sacrifice. Along with the development of society civilization

23、, people realized the importance of etiquette on food and beverages in their daily life. Therefore, they formulated some rules for eating. In Confuciuss time, however, the term “li” originally referred to the social hierarchy and order of the slavery system of Zhou Dynasty (dating back to 1100 B.C.)

24、, which regarded by Confucius as an ideal model of any society (Shen 198). After Confucius arranged, he recorded etiquette on food and beverages in Zhou Dynasty (Zhang 32). So according to Confucius philosophy, etiquette on food and beverages is common in Zhou Dynasty (dating back to 1100 B.C.), and

25、 spread it up to now.B. The origin of etiquette on food and beverages in the WestIt also has so many arguments about origination of etiquette on food and beverages in the West. The most powerful idea comes from William Roberston Smith in Britain. He considered that etiquette on food and beverages or

26、iginates from religion. In ancient time of Greece and Rome, food ties to religion very much. At that time, people often went to sacrifice. What is “sacrifice”, William Roberston said it was called “祭献” in Chinese. Sacrifice is an act of fellowship between the deity and his worshippers. In ancient ti

27、mes, people often use animals to sacrifice. People will share the food together after the sacrifice, which called eating together (in Chinese “共食”). He also said people eating together were not the power of religion (Yao 6). In the westerners opinion, eating with Bedouin is embodiment of politeness.

28、 However, at that time they did not care about how to eat politely until the 9th century. The Christianity worked out the content of etiquette on food and beverages. Because of the formation of etiquette on food and beverages, people need to follow it when they eat (Roy 38). From his research, peopl

29、e can know that the origination of etiquette is based on food and beverages, and the origination of etiquette on food and beverages is based on religion. C. Perspective on these views From the origination of etiquette on food and beverages in China and the West, people can find both of them depend o

30、n the religion. No matter Chinese people or Western people, they use food to sacrifice. Although these two nations have different religious believes and a way of life, both of the origination of etiquette on food and beverages depend on the religion. In course of sacrifice, etiquette on food and bev

31、erages begin to reveal sprout. People have approved these views for a long time. Along with the development of society civilization, the sprout grows up a rule that everyone needs to observe. Knowing about the origination of etiquette on food and beverages in different countries is good for people t

32、o know about the culture of the country. III. Differences in Dinner Etiquette between China and the WestYi Zhongtian has given a penetrating interpretation about culture in China and the West in the book of “Food on the Table Culture”. He said the ideological core of Chinese culture is the “herd men

33、tality” and the ideological core of Western culture is “the individual consciousness” (Yi 32). Therefore, even if westerners host a dinner, they order dishes or other kinds of food for themselves. They do not like to impose their will to others. However, Chinese culture believes that individuals wil

34、l need to obey the common will of the group. The purpose of this belief embodies that people pay more attention to the relationship of human. In other words, Chinese people think that peace is the most important thing. The author of the paper believes that in cross-cultural communication, face of an

35、 unfamiliar culture, due to ways of thinking, living habits and behavior in different ways, exchanges took place during the inevitable clash of cultures. People just know the origination of etiquette on food and beverages in China and the West. Now the author of the paper will talk about the differe

36、nces in Chinese and Western dinner etiquette from the following five aspects. People can know about cross-cultural communication through the simple comparison and contrast. A. Differences in tablewareChopsticks, knife and fork is the most representative tableware in China and the West. They affect t

37、he different way of life and represent two different kinds of intelligence in China and the West. Yu Xiuling, the professor in Zhejiang University, said that people in the East and the West use different tableware to eat due to the different environment. Chopsticks are related to bamboo. There are a

38、 lot of bamboos in the south of China, so ancestors obtain materials from local sources. Bamboo becomes the most primitive material of chopsticks (Sun 113). The Nobel Prize winner Dr. Tsung Dao Lee, a famous Chinese American physicist, said “Such a simple pair of sticks shows a marvelous utilization

39、 of the lever principle. Chopsticks are extensions of the fingers, which are able to do anything fingers do. They can use in heat and freezing cold. They are wonderful.” He also had a very brilliant statement in an interview with a Japanese journalist. He said that China is a very beautiful and civi

40、lized nation, Chinese people used chopsticks as early as they were in the spring and autumn period. Such a simple thing has sublime outrageous use of the physics of leverage (Shen 19). In his opinion, chopsticks are an extension of the human finger. It can do everything that fingers can do. Moreover

41、, the chopsticks can resist both high temperature and low temperature. It is very useful. The emergence of knife and fork is much later than chopsticks. According to the study of Professor You Xiuling, the origination of knife and fork is related to the ancient nomadic habits in Europe. People carri

42、ed knives at any time. They cooked the meat and ate the meat cut into pieces with knife. About 15th centuries, people settled down in city. They neednt carry knife and fork all the time. In order to improve the way of eating, Europeans used the tableware to eat. Chopsticks, knife and fork not only b

43、rought about differences in eating habits, but also affected the Chinese people and the Western peoples concepts in life. Professor Yu Xiuling said that, knife and fork will inevitably bring about individual eating system, but chopsticks are related to sharing a meal with family members who are sitt

44、ing around the table. Because of the individual eating system, westerners pay attention to the independence very much. They think that children who have grown up can struggle for the wonderful life by themselves. Different from the West, people in China like eating together. They think that sitting

45、around the table is a happy thing. Moreover, it embodies the strong family values of Chinese people. Some rules should be followed when people use chopsticks or knife and fork. In China, for example, do not play with chopsticks or use chopsticks for pointing to the person when they are eating. Of co

46、urse, inserting chopsticks in rice is one of the greatest taboos in Chinese culture. There are also some taboos when people use the knife and fork. Such as do not make any gestures with knives and forks in his hands. When people want to speak or talk, put the knife and fork on the plate first which

47、is the basic etiquette. B. Differences in table setting Both of Chinese people and the westerners have great highly value about place setting. However, the contents they pay attention to are much different from each other. Chinese dining tables are more likely to be square or round, rather than elon

48、gated like their Western counterparts. Usually, the host will sit nearest the kitchen or service door. In the least-favored position where the waiter will stand while serving individual portions of food. Some hosts, however, seat their junior guests or family members at this slightly awkward spot so

49、 that the host can talk more easily to guests on either side of him. It is also becoming more common for hosts to sit next to foreign guests of honor. In the West, no matter where they are, in the party or banquet, people pay more attention to womens position. “Ladies first” is one of the basic etiq

50、uette in the West. Westerners host a party with a long table. The hosts can sit down on either ends of the table. Then the hosts arrange other guests to seat around the table. Once through the door, the process may begin. This time over the issue of precedence at the table. Usually, the guest of hon

51、or sits directly across from the host, who takes the least honorable seat near the serving door. Contrast to the West, in China, it is thought that the seat at the left of the dinner table is for the honorable guest. Therefore, guests are arranged to sit from the left to the right according to their

52、 importance for the host. There are also some table manners. Such as, do not put his elbows on the desktop. Do not walk out when eating. When eating, sit upright and straighten his back. Remember to raise the head when he eats food. It is necessary to have good manners at the table. C. Differences i

53、n the dining atmosphere The atmosphere on table in China is different from that of the West. Chinese people like lively atmosphere, but the westerners prefer quiet atmosphere on the table. In China, no matter what purpose to hold a banquet, there is only one form of everyone sitting around the table

54、 and sharing food together. This form creates a united, polite and happy atmosphere. Delicious food in the center of the table is both the food people eat and the bridge people link with. People toast each other and share the food, which reflect the virtue of politeness and respect. Although this ha

55、bit of eating does harm to peoples health, it is the traditional culture in China. “Reunion” is the general statement of Chinese in the field of philosophy, which promote communication with each other. However, westerners sit at the table and eat food quietly. Remember to keep quiet when people have

56、 a soup. If the soup is still overheating, people should wait until it becomes cold and remember not to blow with the mouth. People can talk with some guests who are sitting around him or her. However, do not just talk with a few acquaintances. If they are strangers, people can introduce themselves

57、first. Do not interrupt the person who is speaking with other people. Do not say anything when chewing food even if someone talks to the person. Wait for answers until he or she ingests the food.Therefore, the differences of the Western-style and Chinese-style dinner banquets are obvious. The Chines

58、e-style reflects lively atmosphere of reunion, while the Western-style reflects personal independence and self-reference.D. Differences in terms of discourse When Chinese people offer to treat others to dinner, there are great varieties of dishes, which have at least seven or eight dishes usually. C

59、hinese people consider that the more valuable and more exotic dishes there are the more attentive they are, they will show more respect to the guests. The owner often say, “There is just homely food entertain us.”, “The dishes are not very delicious, help yourself, eat more.” or words like that. It

60、shows politeness to guests.In the West, the host feasts guests usually 4-5 dishes to eat. The host will be glad if guests eat all the food because the host thinks they like the dishes she dose. Compared with the westerners, Chinese people are more likely to follow a principle of collectivism. The We

61、stern people are emphasizing efficiency and pragmatism. They pay more attention to their own face-saving in communication. There is an obvious example on Western dinner. They will not talk something disgusting at the banquet, they will use other words to replace “toilet” by every possible means, suc

62、h as “Where can I wash my hand?”, “I wonder if I could go somewhere.”, “Can I add some powder?” and so on. In addition, in Western countries people should not ask, “Have you had your meal?” or some words like this. However, it is usually our habits of greeting. “Have you had your meal?” is easy to m

63、ake people puzzled, even cause misunderstanding in the West. Such as in the UK, people ask this word, which means that he wishes to invite them to eat it. For unmarried men and women, indicates that he is interested in dating her. E. Differences in toastingNo one needs liquor at everyday meals, but

64、it plays an important role at banquets. In the West, the type of liquor must match the meal according to customs, and often the guests special selection should accommodate. This is not the same in China, where the host often decides on one sort of alcoholic beverage, either a wine or liquor, which will be served depend on the guests decision. Liquor has been considered as a special culture in China. In China, during the period of drinking, people often played a drinkers wager game. It has been very popular since the Tang Dynasty. The drinkers must first drink