Although there are many differences in details between Chinese and western etiquette, they are mainly manifested in the following four aspects.
(A) serve order and position differences
Chinese food is mostly in the order of soup, main course, staple food, table wine or fruit, while western food is in the order of appetizer, salad, soup, fruit, table wine, staple food, dessert and coffee. Chinese food will serve all the dishes at once and at the same time, while western food is to finish one dish and then another.
(B) Tableware differences
Chinese tableware is generally simple, mostly cups, plates, bowls, plates, chopsticks, spoons and so on. While western-style tableware is varied, different dishes are enjoyed with different knives and forks, and the usage of tableware is also quite particular. Even the wine glass should correspond to the wine you drink.
Seat difference
When eating Chinese food, the seating order is mostly determined according to the generation, "respecting the east" or "facing the door", while when eating western food, the seat facing the door and farthest from the door belongs to the hostess, and the seat opposite the hostess is the host's seat. The seat on the right of the hostess is the first guest seat, usually a man, and the seat on the right of the male host is the second guest seat, usually the wife of the guest of honor.
(D) dress differences
Unless in a formal occasion, Chinese food does not require diners to dress casually, while western food requires diners to dress casually. Especially in high-end western restaurants, men should wear neat shirts, shoes and ties, and women should wear suits and shoes with heels. Neither men nor women can wear casual clothes to eat in high-end western restaurants.
(E) differences in table language
Please pay attention to the cultural differences between China and the West when inviting guests to dinner, otherwise it will cause jokes.
The people of China are hospitable. When they invite guests to dinner, they usually fill the table with dishes, but no matter how rich the dishes are, they always humbly say, "There is nothing to eat. If the dishes are not ready, just eat." However, when British and American people hear such polite words, they will feel very disgusted: "Why invite me when there is nothing to eat?" If the food is not cooked, why should it be served to me? "According to the custom of China, in order to show politeness, it is customary to repeatedly urge guests to eat more, while people in China are often' insincere' and say' I'm full, no need' when they are very hungry.
However, British and American people are generally not so particular about entertaining guests. Three or four simple dishes are enough. When eating, the general host will say, "Help yourself!" It is very impolite for British and American people to respect personal wishes when entertaining guests, and pay attention to repeatedly asking guests if they want food, or forcing food on them. So, when the host adds food to you or asks you what you want, if you want to eat, you can directly answer yes. When dining, guests must praise the delicious food prepared by the host and the good craftsmanship of the host, otherwise the host will not be happy if you are full. ? abstract
Western food, like Chinese food, is a kind of food culture, which is bound to spread and communicate. Although different social history, different national cultures and different regional characteristics have created different dietary backgrounds between China and the West, in essence, the connotation of "eating" will not change because of these differences. Paying attention to varieties, balanced nutrition, reasonable collocation and attaching importance to health have become the knowledge of Chinese and western food science and the exchange and integration of Chinese and western food cultures.
In the communication between Chinese and western countries, the collision of their respective cultural characteristics has caused some misunderstandings. We should recognize and understand each other's culture, absorb each other's culture, and absorb foreign culture on the premise of retaining our traditional culture, so that countries can gradually form multi-cultures and realize mutual integration. In the process of the integration of Chinese and western etiquette culture, China people are blindly keen on western culture and unconsciously fall into two misunderstandings: First, the traditional etiquette of our Chinese nation is replaced by western etiquette. For example, holding western-style weddings and celebrating western festivals are all tendencies that cannot be ignored. Etiquette is the most representative thing of a nation. It is understandable to understand western etiquette only as folk knowledge. If you flock, you will lose your national self-esteem and your traditional etiquette will be submerged. Second, put the emphasis of etiquette education on the operational level, such as how many degrees to bend, stop for a few seconds and so on. These questions are not impossible to talk about, but if they are only generalized, etiquette will become an empty form. The content of etiquette in today's world is more extensive and complex, which requires us to adapt to and accept western etiquette on the basis of maintaining the original traditional etiquette. Appropriate etiquette should be used in appropriate occasions, which is not only against "total westernization" but also against "clinging to the residual". We should learn western etiquette, not only its form, but also its inner soul. Only in this way can I build up my self-confidence and superiority, and build up my appeal. Only by recognizing the differences between Chinese and western catering etiquette culture and combining them reasonably and effectively can a suitable Chinese restaurant be established. The etiquette culture system of contemporary society realizes and maintains social ideals.