Abstract:

With the rapid development of the social economy, international business activities are increasing. And business etiquette becomes an indispensable aspect in business activities or our lives. This paper conducts a study of differences in business etiquette between Chinese and western culture. Firstly, this article introduces the etiquette. Then the author conducts the study of differences of the business etiquette in three aspects: business conversation etiquette, business dining etiquette and dressing etiquette. Finally, this paper concludes that business etiquette is important in business activities. We should grasp international business etiquette and adjust ourselves behaviors in time for a result of promoting the success of international business communication.

Key words: business etiquette; business activities; Chinese and western culture; difference

摘要：

随着社会经济的不断发展，国际商务往来活动越来越多。商务礼仪是在商务往来活动中或是生活中变成不可缺少的部分。本文是从中西方文化角度研究商务礼仪差异，首先要介绍礼仪，然后通过中西方言谈、餐饮礼仪和服装礼仪方面进行了对比研究。最后强调商务礼仪在商务活动中的重要性。我们要掌握国际商务礼仪并及时调整自己的礼仪行为从而促进国际商务交往的成功。

关键词：商务礼仪；中西方文化；商务活动；对比研究

1. Introduction
China has been well known as “a state of etiquette” since ancient times, and people are constantly obeying some generally accepted codes of politeness. It is formed by people living together for a long-term time and sharing their customs, habits and traditions, etc. As for the origin of the etiquette, some people think that it originates from sacrifice, which means the agreed practice, and is used to show to the gods in order to seek the blessings. The other people think that etiquette originates from customs. Human cannot live without society, where they generate conventional habits gradually in long-term interactions. These habits would become the norm of human communication and fixed rituals. In Modern Chinese Dictionary, Etiquette is interpreted as courtesy and ceremony. Courtesy is used to show the respect, celebration, Condolence etc, such as bowing, shaking hands and so on. Ceremony means the procedure and form of holding a ceremony.