A Comparative Study of the Chinese and Western Table Manners in Intercultural Communication

【Abstract】Table manners reflect the culture. There are many distinct differences in Chinese and western table manners. The comparative study of the Chinese and Western table manners plays an important role in cultural exchange and complement under the background of intercultural communication.

【Key words】table manners; differences; intercultural communication

【作者簡介】夏鈺雯，南京師范大學。

Ι. Introduction

As the international communication becomes increasingly frequent in the daily life， the cultures of various countries are constantly colliding and blending， which will inevitably accelerate communication defined by Chen &Starosta as “an interdetermining process in which we develop a mutually dependent relationship by exchanging symbols.”Under the background of such an intercultural communication， table manners are always an unavoidable topic. On one hand， table manners exist in our daily life. When we eat， we use table manners. On the other hand， our table manners reflect our cultural traditions and values. Whether you want to show kindness at the table or in a deeper relationship， you should first understand table manners.

In other words， table manners are a microcosm of a countrys cultural connotation， mode of thinking and values. It is a good way for people from different cultures to understand and communicate with each other.

1.Chinese table manners. The earliest appearance of Chinese table manners is the food ritual， in which food was dedicated to the gods to show awe and sacrifice. In the Zhou Dynasty， China had formed a relatively complete system of table manners consisting of several steps： sending invitation， greeting guests， seating guests， toasting. In the Tang Dynasty， table manners changed dramatically because of the integration of minorities. A large number of minority food and furniture such as chair poured into the central Plains. In the Qing Dynasty， many foreign table manners were introduced to China. Nowadays， Chinese table manners have both traditional elements and some foreign cultural elements.

2. Western table manners. Western table manners originated from the Merovingian dynasty in France. When it developed into the Roman Empire， it became more complicated and had an authoritarian color. “Emperor must take up the chair， when music sounded， dishes must be spread to the nobility of the Emperor hands. Before the seventeenth century， the traditional dinning habits include wearing hats. European table manners were evolved by the chivalry.” （Lefever. 199：35） .

Ⅱ. Comparison between Chinese and Western Table Manners

1. Seating arrangement. In ancient China， the seating arrangement was on the principle of “the seats on the east and left are superior， so is the seat facing the door.” There is a saying in the Book of Rites， “take the left of the drinker as the supreme honor”. However， in contemporary China， especially in foreign and formal banquets， the seating arrangement has changed， adhering to the principle of “the seats on the right are superior”. In addition， Chinese people are accustomed to using a round table， which symbolizes the reunion. The elders， highly respected people or masters usually take the top table， and guests are positioned by distance. The closer you are to the top table， the more honorable youre.

While in Western banquets， long tables are generally used. The principle of seating arrangement is that women are preferred， the seats on the right are superior， and men and women are crossseated. Inother words， the host and hostess often sit at the two ends of the table， and male and female guests are cross seated on both sides of the table. Besides， the man will help the woman to open the seat so she can sit down easily.

2. Tableware usage. In China， the commonly used tableware are chopsticks， spoons， small bowls， plates， among which， chopsticks are the most important tableware. Before the meal， the chopsticks should be placed neatly on the right side of the rice bowl. After the meal， they should be placed vertically in the middle of the rice bowl.

The main cutlery in western dining is the knife and fork. In the official western dining， up to 15 kinds of tableware can be used， such as dish fork， dinner fork， salad fork， soup spoon， etc. The traditional western place setting has the forks on the left side and knives and spoons on the right side. The silver is placed in order of use so that you can follow the rule “begin at the outside and work in”. After the meal， the fork should be turned up and the knife should be placed on the plate in parallel with the fork.

3. Order of courses. The order of Chinese dining is cold dishes， drinks and wine， hot dishes， main course， dessert， and fruits. Because Chinese people think that even numbers are lucky numbers， the number of main courses is usually even， like four， six， and eight. These courses are made with different materials and are usually cooked， steamed， boiled， grilled and fried. Main course usually ends with soup.

Formal western dining consists of seven courses： appetizer， soup， fish， main course， salad， dessert and drink. However， its not always necessary to order all the meals. Appetizer， main course and dessert are the most appropriate combination.

Ⅲ. The Importance of this Study in Intercultural Communication

Differences in table manners reflect the cultural diversity， which further reflects the diversity of mankind. It is these differences in diversity that constitute the cultural ecology of the human society. From these differences， we can have an insight into different lifestyles， values， thinking patterns and cultural connotations.

Firstly， the comparison between Chinese and western table manners indicate different lifestyles. Chinese people admire the slow-spoken and slow-paced life， so the three meals a day are full of color and flavor. Westerners pursue freedom and quick-paced life， so they prefer fast food. Secondly， table manners reflect different values. Chinese people focus on the collectivism of unity and harmony， which can be confirmed by the usage of a round table， while westerners often display individualism and independence， refusing picking dishes for each other. Thirdly， table manners show different thinking patterns. The Chinese thinking model is more integrated and holistic while the western thinking emphasizes the logical reasoning. Therefore， at the dinner table， Chinese people are more hospitable while western people are more respectful. Last but not least， these differences reveal different cultural connotations.

Ⅳ. Conclusion

Different cultures breed different table manners. Different table manners embody different cultures. Although Chinese and western table manners are very different， they can keep harmony with each other and shift the clashes into integration. This study of table manners in intercultural communication will promote mutually understanding between people and enhance cultural exchange， complement and integration.

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