Differences between Chinese and Western table manners
the
development
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economy,
cross-culture
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communication has become more and more frequent, and the differences between Chinese and western culture have become more obvious, especially the differences of table manners. Arrangement of seat in China
In China, people used to use the number of the tables to define the size of banquet. In small banquets which have two tables, the table on the left or farther to the portal is the top table. At bigger banquets that have three or more tables, the rules are much more complicated.
Generally, seats that closer to the top table take precedence. For example, on the wedding party, family members of the bride or the leaderships are arranged to the table that closest to the top table. Hosts show their reverences to the guests by arranging seats by this way. Seats at one table also have different meanings. In Chinese table manner, 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; the seats that opposite to the honor seat are the inferior seat. Inferior seats are for the host and hostess.
So before the banquet, hosts should first invite the chief guest or elders to the honor seat, and then invite other guests to the second honor seat. Hosts sit down on the inferior seats after all the guests sit down.
Arrangement of seat in West
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.
In China, left is honor and right is secondary. While in western, right is honor and left is secondary. The proper way to take the seat in western is to sit by the left hand. It is better not to walk out before the banquet is finished.
Tablewares between China and West
Chinese table wares involve chopsticks, small dish, bowl and glass. Chopsticks and spoon are always put together on the right hand of the plate. Toothpick and ashtray are also necessary.
Chopsticks are the main table wares in Chinese food culture. It is impolite to use chopsticks to clean tooth, or pick other things that aren’t food. It is also bad manner to talk with chopsticks in hand.
The right way to use spoon is: scoop the food, and wait for seconds to make sure that the soup will not splash out, and then move the spoon back. It is impolite to put the spoon in to mouth, or lick the spoon over and over again.
In western meals , they use so much table wares with different kinds and sizes. the use of table wares also shows different food culture in different countries, the main table wares in western are knives, forks , spoons , glass and napkin.
Knife is used to cut food and fork is used to carry food into mouth. during the dinner, you should put them on both sides of the plate, and knife and fork should be put in the way that looks like the Chinese word “八”.
You can also use them in a way that handle knife in your right hand and fork in the left hand. Soup spoon is always put on the outermost right side, together with the knife. Dessert spoon is put together with dessert knife and fork.
Different atmospheres at table
Noisy and quiet is the main different of table atmosphere between Chinese and western. Chinese table atmosphere always noisy and always the noisier the better. While western table atmosphere is quiet.
. In China,people begin to talk at the time they sit down, and they would keep talking during the whole dinner. Everybody at the table talking, drinking, eating, and enjoying the pulsating atmosphere. Noisy atmosphere can reflect the guests’ happiness from their hearts. Westerners also talk at table, but they talk quietly and keep the voice at the stage that can only be heard. You can not make noises when drinking
中西方餐桌礼仪差异英语
