It is also appropriate to ask how they prefer to be addressed. Children should always address adults in the formal fashion, using their title and last name. Another difference is about the form of addressing. From the viewpoint of sociolinguistics, forms of addressing can serve as an indication of the relationship of power and solidarity in the society. In calling their superiors or elders, the Chinese are accustomed to the nonreciprocal or asymmetrical addressing, in other words. They use “title +surname” to address their superior or elders rather than call them surnames, while the superior or elders call the addressers their names. The Chinese tend to abide by the polite principle of depreciating oneself and respecting others to show appropriate respects towards the persons being addressed, otherwise, the addresser may be considered as ill mannered, ill educated or rude. But in English speaking countries, people have a tendency to follow the reciprocal or symmetrical addressing. Although they are different in age and status, they can call the other directly, namely, their names, even first names except when they call the doctors, not arousing offence between them, but demonstrating the sense of intimacy and the conception of” Everyone is created equal” . Chinese people feel unnatural addressing a westerner by his given name, feeling that it indicates too close a relationship, and westerners, on the other
hand, may feel that if a Chinese insists on using his surname, it indicates an unwillingness to be friendly and maintains a gap between them. So the use of forms like” Miss Mary” or “Mr. Smith ” may be a Chinese forms of compromise. With Miss Mary, the use of the given name indicates friendliness, but the addition of the title indicates the respect they feel they ought to show. And with Smith, the lack of a title indicates friendliness, but the use of the surname prevents if sounding too intimate. However, both addressing used by the Chinese sound very strange and uncomfortable to the westerner. 3.Compliments and ResponseTo compliment is to praise the addressee’s virtues, ability, behavior, appearance, clothing, personality and belongs. Appropriate compliments can serve as effective supplementary means in inter-personal communication. Western and Chinese culture are at polar opposites about compliment. An western hostess, if she is complimented for her cooking skill, is likely to say,” Oh, I am so glad that you liked it. I cook it especially for you.” Not so is a Chinese hostess, who will instead apologize for giving you “Nothing”. They will say“随便作几个菜，不好吃 。”If translate this into English“I just made some dishes casually and they are not very tasty. Perhaps the foreigner will think why you invite me to you family and have the untasty food. You aren't respect me. The English-speaking people are more
active to praise others and to be praise than Chinese people. For example, the Americans are “straight forwardness”, the Chinese take pride in “modesty”. That modesty has left many a Chinese hungry at an Americans table, for Chinese politeness calls for three refusals before one accepts an offer and the Americans hosts take ”no ” to mean “no ”, whether it is the first, second or third time. Still bigger differences exist in people’s attitude towards compliments, i.e., in the response to compliments. Chinese are tend to efface themselves in words or refuse it, although they do feel comfortable about the compliments . So many westerners simply feel puzzled or even upset when their Chinese friends refused their compliments. The Chinese people are not intending to be modest with the sacrifice of friendship in so doing, but it is rather due to the traditional Chinese philosophy, that of modesty. The Chinese people regard modesty as a most valuable virtue, so they seldom agree to the compliment on their own.
Mr. Yi Zhongtian was in the \of food on the table\in the interpretation of Chinese and Western cultures were subtle ideological core of Chinese culture is the \consciousness\ideological core of Western culture is the \consciousness.\the dish, the drink of the wine, so as not to impose our own will.
Chinese culture is that the individual will, to obey the common will of the group. Since the intended purpose favors with the intention of blood, its way of manners, naturally, is precious, so the Chinese people love dinner, hi total of food, about harmony. I believe that in a cross-cultural communication in the face of a strange culture, Yin Siwei, life habits and behaviors in different ways, and cultural exchanges during the conflict will inevitably occur. The author from the following four aspects of Chinese and Western table manners were simple compared to the cross-cultural communication can be a proper, decent way to communicate. First, cultural differences from the cutlery to use point of view Chopsticks and knife and fork is the most basic differences between Chinese and Western table manners. Zhejiang University, Professor Yu Xiu Ling: East and West appear chopsticks and knife and fork eating the different tools and environment relationship. Bamboo chopsticks to have originated in the place. Northern China wood, bamboo from southern China, ancestors from local materials, bamboo and wood have become the most primitive materials chopsticks chopsticks. The emergence of a knife and fork than chopsticks much later. According to research by Professor Yu Xiu Ling, the original knife and fork and European origin living in ancient nomadic habits, they immediately carry knives of life, often cooked the meat, cut off to
eat. About 15 centuries before and after the meal in order to improve posture, Europeans used the double-pointed cross. To the 18th century only the tip of a fork with four forks. Knife and fork and chopsticks, not only brought different eating habits, also affected the Eastern and Western concepts in life. Professor Yu Xiu Ling, eating into the system will inevitably bring a knife and fork, and chopsticks sitting around the table with family members must dine match. Beginning point of Western food, which derived from the West pay attention to independent, children grow up into the world after the independence of ideas and habits. The chopsticks brought together meals daily, highlighting the young and old sat together in the family unit, so that Asians have a relatively strong family values. When I reminded in the use of Chinese and Western dishes have different specifications. If not play with chopsticks when eating Chinese food (to them when the drumstick is a very rude way), but can not use chopsticks pointing to the person or make gestures. Of course, absolutely can not suck or the chopsticks chopsticks inserted in the rice, which is taboo (which seems to funeral incense is considered unlucky.) When using the knife and fork there are some taboos. Such as holding a knife and fork when not meddling. To speak or talk, knife and fork on the plate should only decency. Avoid using their own utensils for others bowl. Do not bend over
中西文化差别 The different culture between Chinese and English
