A Comparative Analysis of Chinese and American Table Manners in the Cross-cultural Business Communication

Abstract

In the context of economic globalization, Sino-American international trade has increased frequently. As an indispensable part of cross-cultural business communication, table manners have a positive influence on it. In Sino-US international trade, the two countries pay much attention to business etiquette, especially table manners. This paper mainly discusses the table manners in cross-cultural business communication between China and the United States, aiming to find out their differences, and explore the reasons for the differences and the strategies to deal with these differences. Therefore, businessmen can have more details about cognizing Sino-American cultural differences，so that table manners can be better applied in Sino-US cross-cultural business communication. This thesis can be divided into four parts. The first part introduces cross-cultural business communication and business etiquette; the second part contrasts the distinctions of Chinese and American table manners; the third part analyzes the causes of these differences; the fourth part researches the strategies with these differences between China and the United States in cross-cultural business communication.

In cross-cultural business communication, different table manners contain different cultures between China and America. Studying Chinese and American table manners is conducive to knowing their own cultures, most importantly, using table manners properly will promote cross-cultural business communication and Sino-American trade.

Key words: cross-cultural business communication; table manners; difference