摘　 要

餐桌礼仪文化作为社会文化的一部分，反映了一个民族的社会文化内涵与价值观。随着中国的改革开放，我国与西方国家的交流不断扩大。餐桌礼仪作为跨文化交际的重要部分，对跨文化交际的成功与否起着重要的作用。因此该选题的研究有助于人们更好的了解中英两国之间的文化差异，促进交流。本文将就中英两国之间的餐桌礼仪文化差异做出系统的阐述。论文采用文献研究法、描述性研究法等研究法，围绕中英两国在座次安排、餐具的使用、上菜顺序、用餐氛围以及敬酒等方面的不同进行了深入探讨，其中更包括在用餐上的一些禁忌，从而得出这些差异主要来源于三方面：一是起源的不同，二是文化背景的不同，三是教育上的不同。从而为中英两国间的商务社交，跨文化交际以及文化交流等提供借鉴。

关键词：餐桌礼仪；跨文化交际；文化对比

Abstract

As a part of social culture, table manners reflect the social-culture meaning and values of a nation. With the development of China’s reform and opening up, more western cultures get into our sights. Table etiquette as an important respect plays a decisive role in the success of intercultural communication. This research can make contributions to a better understanding of the cultural differences between China and Britain, so as to promote the exchange of each other. This paper will give a detailed account of the cultural contrast of table manners between China and Britain, and it will mainly focus on the comparison in seating arrangement, using tableware, serving order, dining atmosphere and toasting with the help of literature research method, descriptive research method and so on. Furthermore, this paper displays some taboos of table manners in Chinese and British dinners. It is concluded that all the differences may come from the following aspect: First, the difference between the origin of Chinese and British table manners; second, the difference of culture background; third, the difference of education. It is hoped that this article will help to have a better understanding in business activities, intercultural communication and culture exchange between China and Britain.

Key words: Table manners; intercultural communication; cultural contrast

1 Introduction
1.1 Background
“Ding society, whether in China or abroad, has been adequately developed and strengthened, and plays an important role in human relationships. And for business people, mastering table manners has a deeper significance---helping you in business negotiation. ” (Wang, 2009) With the rapid development of the global economy, etiquettes promote more and more communications between different regions and nations. And it is more usual than before in social communications and business at tables. At dinner time, if you are very decent, you may achieve unexpected success. While on the other side, if you do it in the improper way or even worse, this behavior will make a bad impression on others, and that may have negative influences on your business negotiations.