从跨文化角度对比中英餐桌礼仪的差异_英语论文

The Comparative Study of Chinese and English-speaking Countries’ Table Manners from the Perspective of Cross-culture Communication

摘要

中国是自古以来就是礼仪之邦，餐桌礼仪有着悠久的历史。事实上，讲英语的国家也有特定的用餐习惯。随着中国改革开放的发展，有更多的外来文明进入我们的视线。因为我们面对不同的国家文化，所以不可避免的会出现文化冲突，这严重影响了交往的进程。餐桌礼仪占有举足轻重的地位，影响沟通的中国和说英语的国家。通过知晓正确的礼仪不仅会提高我们自己的形象的需求，还能够提升我们的竞争力和效益。本文首先阐述了中西方餐桌礼仪的起源，以及它们交流和融合的现象；然后从座次礼仪、用餐工具、上菜顺序等方面分析了中西方餐桌礼仪的不同之处；接着分析了他们产生差异的内在原因；最后总结出我们要互相尊重彼此的文化，做到求同存异。

关键词：中国；英语国家；餐桌礼仪；差异

Abstract

China is a country of etiquette, with abundant table manners. In fact, English-speaking countries hold particular dining customs. With the development of China’s opening-up, there are more exotic civilizations  into our sight. Upon confronting various national cultures, many ineluctable culture conflicts would occur when we communicate with each other which severely influence the contracts being implemented smoothly. Table etiquette plays an important role, which impacts on the process of communication between China and English-speaking nations. By knowing correct manners won’t just promote our own images and it also can benefit our competitive power and achievements. This article first depicts the beginning of Chinese and English-speaking countries’ dinning manners. Secondly, it analyses the distinction between Chinese and English-speaking countries’ table etiquette based on the seating etiquette, dinnerware, serving order etc. After that, the article analyses the internal causes of the differences. Finally, it brings forth a conclusion that each country ought to esteem both parties as well as seek agreements while shelving differences.

Keywords: China；English-speaking countries；table manners

Contents

1. Introduction 1

2. Literal Review 1

3. The Origins of Table Manners and the Fusion of them between China and English-speaking Countries 2

3.1 The origin of the Chinese table manners 2

3.2 The origin of English-speaking Countries’ table manners 3

3.3 Table manners of communication and fusion between China and English-speaking Countries 4

4. Different Table Manners between China and English-speaking Countries 5

4.1 Differences in table setting 5

4.2 Different in dinnerware 5

4.3 Differences in order of serving 7

4.4 Differences in the host's presentation 8

5. Internal Reasons of the different Table Manners between China and English-speaking Countries 9

5.1 Cultural connotations 9

5.2 Ways of thinking 10

5.3 Values 10

6. Conclusion 12

Works Cited 13