The differences between Chinese and Western etiquette in which aspects of performance

Differences in Chinese and Western etiquette

1, title address

In the West, the title is more general, a title can be covered by a lot of Chinese titles. For example, the West called the male as Mr., Ms. or Miss, while in China, "Mr." first explanation is "teacher", is the oldest and longest title for teachers.

With the reform and opening up, Mr. has become the most popular social honorific colloquialisms, Westerners call "uncle", can cover our aunt, aunt, aunt. Their relationship to these parties is not as clear-cut as in China, where the father's side is uncle, aunt, cousin, and the mother's side is uncle, aunt, cousin. In the West people like to call each other by their first names when they meet. In China, people like to add the position, xx manager, xx president, etc. This is a symbol of status and position. This is a symbol of identity and status. Westerners seldom use formal titles to address others; formal titles are used for judges. Senior government officials, military officers, doctors, professors, senior religious figures and so on.

2, the language of communication

Chinese people usually meet with a nod of the head in greeting, shake hands or perform the arching ceremony, a slight owed and then shaking hands, while Westerners believe that owed to appear inferior, embrace is the most common meet and greet and goodbye gift, kissing and kissing the hand gift is also more common. In China, it is used not only when meeting and saying goodbye, but also when expressing congratulations, thanks or mutual encouragement. The development of the present, replaced by a simple "hello", "goodbye".

However, Westerners are still not accustomed to face-to-face salute, kissing salute, and kissing salute. China likes to ask politely where they have been when they meet. The first time I've seen this, I've seen it in the past. The West considers this an invasion of their privacy and feels strange. When sending off a guest, Chinese people used to stay and say "goodbye" and "take care", while Westerners just smile and say goodbye.

3, banquet

Wine culture in China has a long history, is considered to do business, make friends and other social occasions indispensable. The wine glass is not empty tea is not full. In the West, usually drink beer, wine, do not like to persuade.

In China, banquets like *** table **** dishes, the West is considered unhygienic, the implementation of separate meals. Chinese people feast, drinking, singing and dancing. The West requires less sound and less action, and more dining programs.

4, taboo customs

Chinese people do not like to say 4, because with the "dead" homophonic, that 8, 6 auspicious, favor the double, the pursuit of pairs. Westerners don't like 13. The story of the Last Supper, the betrayal of Jesus by Judas, in the story of Christ, has 13 people. Nor do they like Friday. The Chinese honor the old, while Westerners avoid the old.

The Chinese like the color yellow and have a totem called "dragon", which is considered the heir to the dragon. In the West, on the other hand, the dragon is the serpent, and in Christ, the serpent is Satan, the devil, and the color yellow implies a broken relationship.

Chinese people in the gift of gifts can not be "out of date gift, after the gift". With the elderly can not send "clock", the tortoise has "eight" of the name, but also can not. Foreigners do not want to give expensive gifts, but just want to get what they want. There are few words of humility when giving and receiving gifts. But the gift packaging requirements of exquisite. When talking to people, Westerners avoid talking about personal matters, age, marriage, income and so on. Chinese people are accustomed to call their own "gift is not good, please accept".

5, daily behavior

In China, the boundaries of personal privacy is far less profound, people do not care about other people's general understanding of their own lives. In everyday life, Chinese people visit others to show hospitality. Westerners, on the other hand, have to make an appointment with the person they are visiting, and a surprise visit can be upsetting because it disrupts the person's work schedule. Westerners are more shy about people prying into their privacy. Chinese people are more enthusiastic and willing to help others, and like to ask what they can do to help.

For example, the Chinese will ask someone directly about the price of an item they have purchased, which, in the Chinese view, is only an indication of the quality of the item. Westerners, on the other hand, consider this to be a private matter that should not be asked about directly. Chinese people are closer to each other in space, and often see young Chinese girls walking in close proximity to each other. Westerners see Chinese people as too close, and Chinese people see Westerners as cold, arrogant, and overly distant. This is all due to the difference in cultural perceptions between the East and the West. Easterners value righteousness and affection, while Westerners emphasize personal independence.

Differences in communication etiquette between China and the West

First, the difference between the greeting language

Daily greetings, the Chinese people mostly use the "go to work?" "Have you eaten?" "Where?" etc. This reflects a sense of intimacy between people. However, for Westerners, this kind of greeting will make the other person feel abrupt, awkward, and even unhappy, because Westerners will interpret this kind of questioning as a kind of "cross-examination", and feel that the other person is inquiring about their private life. In the West, the greeting is simply "Hello" or, depending on the time of day, "Good morning!" "Good afternoon!" "Good evening!" That's all.

Most of the most common greetings used by Westerners have two categories: first, talk about the weather. Such as the British to meet and say: "Today's weather is good heh!" This is because the United Kingdom all year round the influence of the westerly wind belt, the Atlantic Ocean blowing tidal temperature air current makes the weather erratic, even the weather forecast is not accurate, so people are most concerned about the weather. Second, talk about the recent situation. But only limited to generalized talk, not privacy, you can say: "How have you been?" The first meeting always say: "I'm glad to know you" and other polite words.

The difference in titles

In Chinese, only people who are familiar with each other and close to each other can call each other by their names. But in the West, "calling people by their first names" is much broader than in Chinese.

In the West, "Mr." and "Mrs." are often used to address strangers who do not know their names. In Britain, women in their teens or twenties can be called "Miss", and married women can be called "Ms." or "Mrs.", etc.

In the West, "Mr." and "Mrs." are used to address strangers who do not know their names.

The West seems to be in the title of "not formal", accustomed to the equivalent of the name. Such as between family members, not divided into "up and down the eldest and youngest", generally can call each other names or nicknames. At home, they can call their father and mother by their first names. All male elders can be called "uncle", and all female elders can be called "auntie". This is not possible in China, where you have to be clear about the relationship between generations, the old and the young, or else you will be thought to be ill-mannered and unable to distinguish between the upper and lower levels of the hierarchy.

For family members other than the name, the Chinese people often respectfully referred to each other as "Li teacher", "Chen master", sometimes in the last name after the person's position at the time, such as "Secretary Huang "Huang Director", "Wang Manager" and so on. But the British and Americans in addition to a few traditional customary title - Dr., doctor, judge, professor, etc., on the "Li teacher", "Chen master" class of address is intolerable. Rarely do I hear them address others as "Director Huang", "Manager Wang", and so on. Because this kind of name has not become like "doctor, doctor, judge, professor" and so on become the traditional customary name.

Third, the difference between the farewell language

The Chinese and Western languages have a variety of different farewell language. For example, when saying goodbye to the patient, Chinese people often say "drink more water", wear more clothes, "early rest" and so on, to show the patient's care. Westerners, however, will never say "drink more water", as this is considered to be dictating. Instead, they would say "take care" or "I hope you get well soon".

An American said goodbye to his Chinese friend, "I'll be in touch." But the Chinese friend waited for more than a year and did not see a word, then complained that he did not keep his word. In fact, this is just a kind of farewell word, equivalent to "goodbye", and the speaker did not mean anything else, not to mention making any promises. In addition, in Western culture, if a guest wants to say goodbye, he or she usually has to express the meaning of goodbye to the host a few minutes in advance, and ask for permission before leaving. It is considered rude in Western culture to suddenly say "it's getting late" and then stand up to say goodbye to your host.

Origins of Chinese and Western etiquette

Chinese etiquette and Western etiquette have different origins.

1. The origin of Chinese etiquette

In China, etiquette is equal to manners and rituals. The essence of etiquette is the method of communication between people and the belief in ghosts and spirits. People believe that all things are controlled by ghosts and spirits that cannot be seen. Therefore, rituals originated from the belief in ghosts and gods and a special form of belief in them. China is a country full of rituals. Dating back 5,000 years, rituals used to be the core of traditional culture. To date, rituals have been truly reformed. Thus it became the rituals of modern civilization. Chinese rituals play a legal role in Chinese culture. The origin of etiquette can be traced back to the early days of mankind. It is said that in the very beginning of the Chinese nation, rituals were accompanied by human activities and a primitive religion. Ceremony is a system that deals with the relationship between man, God and the spirits. It is said that in ancient China there were 5 types of ceremonies. In fact, rituals can be divided into 2 main parts, one is politics and the other is life. The legal system of China was formed during the establishment and implementation of the ceremonies. The essence of etiquette is how to deal with the relationship between people and the beliefs of ghosts and gods.

2. The origin of Western etiquette

In Western countries, the word "etiquette" means "to keep off the grass". Louis XIV's gardener found nobles walking through his garden, and then he placed (etiquette) signs warning them to stay off the grass. The Duke and Duchess continued to walk straight past these signs, and because of this blatant disregard, Versailles decreed that no one could fail to observe etiquette. Later the meaning of etiquette included subpoenas for court functions, stating one`s position and instructing one on what to do. Etiquette like language has evolved but literally still means to stay off the grass. Until the 1960s there was no doubt that a good etiquette was important, but with the emancipation of the 1970s the popularity of formal etiquette declined. In 2004, a return to traditional values became a new focus. Proper etiquette gives children and adults a very important tool that not only provides a competitive edge, but gives them a sense of confidence.

Expanded Content

Chinese and Western Table Manners

1. Comparison on Table Atmosphere

Generally speaking, it's quiet on the Western table and dynamic on the Chinese table. Westerners are usually active, but once seated at the table, they concentrate on quietly cutting their own plate of food. Chinese people are usually quiet, but when they sit down at the table, they will be talking incessantly, letting each other eat and persuading each other to drink. The Chinese table of noise and the Western table of quiet reflects the fundamental difference between Chinese and Western food culture.

2, table manners

In the Chinese cultural tradition, people in the attendance of a variety of formal dining is also more elaborate, but in the modern customs change and development, there is a progressive side, there is a backward side, there is a traditional watch to this overload of food not only waste, but also harmful to the human body. Although the Chinese people pay attention to food therapy, food and nutrition, the importance of diet to nourish and nourish, but our cooking is the pursuit of delicious as the first requirement, resulting in the loss of many nutrients destroyed, so nutritional issues may be the biggest weakness of the Chinese diet.

3. Western cooking follows the norms and science

Westerners emphasize science and nutrition, so the whole process of cooking is strictly in accordance with scientific norms. The use of recipes is an excellent proof. Westerners always take recipes to buy food and make dishes, but compared to that, it is still a very mechanical thing, and this leads to a drawback of western food)))) lack of character. When people are in a foreign place and want to taste the local food, surely no one will choose food like KFC or McDonald's. In addition, standardized cooking even requires the accuracy of ingredients, the addition of seasonings to the exact grams, and the cooking time to the exact seconds. The standardization of Western cuisine makes it uncreative. What is incomprehensible to Westerners is that Chinese cooking not only does not pursue precise standardization, but also promotes randomness. When you look at Chinese recipes, you will often find that the amount of raw materials prepared and the amount of spices added are vague concepts. And Chinese cooking, not only to pay attention to the major cuisines to have their own flavor and characteristics, even if the same cuisine of the same dish, the use of side dishes and a variety of seasonings to match, but also according to the chef's personal preferences and characteristics of the change. The same dish / Mapo Tofu, cooked for Sichuan customers and for Suzhou customers, the seasoning used is definitely different. And in the West, a dish in different regions of different seasons to face different diners, are no change.

4, advocating the freedom of Westerners to separate and personality

In the Chinese and Western food culture is also clearly reflected in this cultural characteristic. Western cuisine in addition to a few soup dishes, dishes in a variety of raw materials are not related to each other, fish is fish, steak is steak, even if there is a collocation, it is also in the plate, which reflects the inheritance, but also on the traditional cultural practices of the violation. For example, dining clothes, to be far more casual than in the past, you can wear a mountain suit, jacket or suit, etc., which also reflects the traditional culture of change and development, which is the convergence of Chinese and Western culture, each other positive migration effect of the best.

Example.

Many Westerners today, especially Americans, do not like to smoke or drink, and many do not like people to smoke or drink in their neighborhoods. In today's China, many people smoke and drink, and there is a social phenomenon that seems to make it impossible to socialize without smoking and drinking. That's why there is still the habit of gulping down smoke and getting drunk at the Chinese dinner table, and even though they know it's bad taste, they still can't stop it. This must be the incomplete and incomplete performance of cultural migration and development, we need to correctly understand and recognize the cultural phenomenon on the basis of constantly promoting the development of humanistic culture and improve the humanistic quality of the nation.

Seating arrangement

Both Chinese and Westerners pay attention to the seating arrangement for formal banquets. The Chinese traditionally use the Eight Immortals Table. The opposite door is the top, and the two sides are partial seats. When inviting guests, the elder, the chief guest or the person of high status sits on the upper seat, the male and female hosts or accompanying guests sit on the lower seat, and the rest of the guests sit on the partial seat in order. Westerners use a long table for inviting guests, with the male and female hosts sitting at the two ends, and then arranging the seats in the order of the male and female hosts and general guests. As for the rules of the table, Westerners eat with knives and forks, while Chinese people use chopsticks. Of course, both knife and fork and chopsticks have their own rules. The differences between Chinese and Western food cultures and the comparison of Chinese and Western table manners not only reflect the cultural traditions of each place, but also reflect the different national psychology, values and moral standards, social relations, social etiquette and social customs, i.e., the Western culture advocates individual honor, self-centeredness, innovative spirit and freedom of individuality, whereas the Chinese culture advocates modesty and prudence, selflessness and devotion, the middle way and unity and cooperation; Westerners have a stronger sense of equality and a simple family structure, while Chinese people have a stronger hierarchical concept, a more complex family structure, and traditional happy families are mostly four generations under the same roof. In cross-cultural communication, it is not uncommon to misunderstand information and even hurt each other due to cultural barriers. Sometimes well-intentioned words will make the other party embarrassed, and polite behavior will be misunderstood as absurd and vulgar. Therefore, the study of differences between different cultures and the study of correct cross-cultural communicative behavior has become an issue that cannot be ignored. In the process of comparative research, the advantages and disadvantages of each are obvious. This kind of research is conducive to the positive migration effect of culture to/from the essence and remove the dross, so as to promote the development of the national language, humanities and culture.

Seven taboos of French table manners

If you promise to be late for an appointment or even cancel it, you must notify the other party beforehand. It is acceptable to be a little late for a meeting, but if it is more than 15 minutes, it will give the other party a bad impression that they do not value the date. When ordering, you should choose the food you want to eat. If you can't make up your mind even after reading the menu, you can ask the waiter to recommend the restaurant's signature dish for you, but you have to give clear indications, such as whether you want to eat seafood or not to eat red meat, etc. Remember that people who can't make up their mind about everything and only say "yes, but" will only add to the trouble of the guests at the same table. There are a lot of details to pay attention to, but in fact, most of them are daily etiquette, as long as you stay calm, do not make a big movement, do not make noise or hinder others to eat, then it is already qualified.

1, the most basic principle of using tableware is from the outside to the inside, after completing a dish, the waiter took away the tableware, as needed, or will make up another set of knives and forks.

2, eat meat (such as steak) should be cut from the corner, eat a piece and then cut the next piece. When you come across a part or side dish that you don't eat, simply move it to the side of the plate.

3, if there is something in the mouth to spit out, you should pass the fork to the mouth to catch out, or finger out, and then move to the edge of the plate. The whole process should try not to attract attention, and then eat naturally.

4, encounter beans or rice a side dish, you can hold the fork in the left hand flat on the plate, fork tip up, and then use a knife to beans or rice gently flicked to the fork can be. If you need seasoning but can't reach it, ask the person to hand it to you, don't stand up and lean forward to get it.

5, after eating wipe hand wipe mouth do not use the napkin vigorously wipe, pay attention to the appearance of a corner of the napkin gently printed to the mouth or fingers on the oil stains can be.

6, even if the stool is more comfortable, sitting posture should be kept straight, do not lean on the back of the chair above. When eating, the body can be slightly forward leaning, two arms should be close to the body, so as not to hit the next.

7, after eating each dish, such as the knife and fork on all sides of the put, or hit the cross put, very ugly. The correct way is to put the knife and fork side by side on the plate, with the fork tines facing up.

Chinese and Western wedding etiquette

Differences between Chinese and Western wedding venues

As one of the most important days in people's lives, and as a new starting point for a pair of happy lovers, Chinese weddings are grand and lively. In ancient times, people would host a banquet at their home or in a restaurant to invite friends and family to witness the wedding. In contemporary China, the newlyweds usually invite their friends and relatives to a hotel or guesthouse. In the hotel, they will make a big row, highlighting the wedding grand, lively features.

In the West, weddings are usually held in churches or other quiet places, well organized, unlike Chinese weddings. Western weddings emphasize solemnity and holiness, and pursue the combination of romance and reality.

Differences in dress code between Chinese and Western weddings

Traditional Chinese weddings are conducted with the bride and groom wearing red dresses. Chinese people can't get away from red in a wedding, and are used to using bright colors to set the mood. Therefore, the women's wedding dress color for the big red has been customized to show festive, set off the newcomer, herald the future of life, prosperity, happiness and contentment. Bridal gown for the wide-sleeved lapel Zhai, head wearing beads phoenix crown. It is worth stating that the pattern on the top of the Zhai garment is very elaborate. The lapel itself has a complete sense of symmetry, and in Chinese culture itself represents the meaning of symmetry and beauty, while the left-right symmetrical and paired brocade chicken motifs on the top of it symbolize the harmony and joy of the couple's life in traditional Chinese culture. Generally the bride holds her hair in a high bun on the wedding day to distinguish herself from unmarried women. And on the wedding day, the bride covers her face with a red skullcap, symbolizing virginity, youth and purity. It is uncovered by the groom himself after the wedding.

And the Western bride wears a white dress. Since Roman times, white has symbolized joy, and between 1850 and 1920, it was a symbol of wealth and prosperity. By the turn of the century, the color white had come to represent purity more than anything else. In the West, the color white was associated with virginity. Ancient Roman brides wore white wedding dresses covered with bright orange veils, symbolizing the flames of passion. In the Catholic tradition in the West, white represents joy; in other regions, white indicates a variety of access ceremonies and meanings in their weddings and funerals In the time of Queen Victoria, most brides were only allowed to wear traditional state clothing, and only the upper classes were allowed to wear white wedding gowns, which represented power and status. It was only in modern times, when the privileges of the aristocracy disappeared, that the white wedding dress became the dress of the common bride.

Differences in Wedding Customs between Chinese and Western Cultures

Traditional Chinese wedding customs include the "Three Books and Six Rites" and the "Three Worships and Nine Knees". The so-called "three books", that is, the book of engagement, the book of rituals, the book of welcome. And the "six rites" refers to the nacai, ask the name, naji, nazheng, please period, kiss welcome. In between, there are a series of activities such as exchanging genealogical records, going through the civilization, going through the rite of passage, and settling the bed, etc. In these activities, there are a lot of activities. And in these activities there are a lot of taboos and rituals, for example, the bride's dowry should have scissors, spittoon, ruler, piece of sugar, silver wrapped belt, vase, copper basin and shoes, dragon and phoenix quilt, bed sheet and pillow a pair of two pairs of chopsticks and bowls tied with a red rope, seventy-two sets of clothes, accompanied by flat cypress, lotus seed, longan, and liyi (good clothes and food) and other things, each of which has its own different meanings. At the same time, there is also a certain order in the wedding, according to the general situation, in the whole wedding process: ancestor worship, departure, firecrackers, waiting for the groom, to discuss the joy, pay goodbye, go out, the gift car, throwing fan, firecrackers, touch the orange, holding the bride, the banquet, send off the guests, the bridal chamber, the three dynasties back to the door. From this, we can see the tediousness of our culture, but do not think that tediousness is the unique characteristics of our wedding, in fact, although different countries have different wedding customs, but from the complicated details and supplies of the metaphor, can be seen on the marriage of respect and expectations regardless of national boundaries.

In Western countries, there are old, new, borrowed, blue wedding customs. The old refers to the mother of the wedding dress, headdress or jewelry, on behalf of bearing all the good; new refers to the gifts sent by friends, such as dresses, accessories, symbolizing the new life; borrowed means that you can borrow something back from anyone, it is said that from wealthy relatives and friends borrowed gold or silver in shoes, symbolizing that bring fortune; blue refers to the bride's some trinkets or bouquets of blue, which means that the bride's purity and chastity. There are also a large number of customs in the West when it comes to weddings. For example, the bride always carries a handkerchief at the time of marriage, and Westerners believe that a white handkerchief symbolizes good luck. According to folklore, farmers believed that the tears shed by the bride on the day of her wedding would cause manna to fall from the sky and nourish the family crops. Later, the tears shed by the bride on the day of her wedding hanky became a good omen that she would have a happy marriage. And during the wedding ceremony, the bride always stands on the left side of the groom, it is said that in ancient times, Anglo-Saxon grooms had to protect their brides from being snatched away by others. During the wedding ceremony, the bridegroom has the bride stand on his left side, so that once the enemy appears, he can immediately swing out the sword, which is attached to the right side, to scare off the enemy. When the wedding dinner is conducted, the wedding cake is specially customized. According to history, since Roman times, at the end of the wedding, people would break a strip of bread over the bride's head of the material wheat to symbolize fertility, and crumbs of bread to represent good fortune. The bride and groom must be frosted with icing, it forms the wedding cake today. This shows that the Western wedding customs are not more concise than the Chinese.

What are the differences between Chinese and Western weddings

1, why does the bride have to wear a white dress?

Since Roman times, white has symbolized jubilation, just as in China, red symbolizes celebration. Between 1850-1990, white was also a symbol of affluence. By the early 20th century, white represented purity far more than anything else. So white is usually the color of choice for Western weddings, but also symbolizes the beauty and holiness of the bride.

2. Why does the bride always stand on the left side of the groom at a Western wedding?

Western weddings and traditional Chinese weddings are different, Western weddings do not follow the "male left, female right" position standing. That's because in ancient times, Anglo-Saxon grooms often had to stand up to protect their brides from being stolen by others. In the wedding ceremony, the groom let the bride stand on their left, once the enemy appeared, you can immediately pull out the sword to repel the enemy.

3. Why cut the wedding cake?

According to traditional European customs, in the Western wedding bride and groom to kiss across the cake. A clever pastry chef had the bright idea of mixing all kinds of pastries together, and then covered with a layer of snow-white frosting, which became the modern wedding cake. Cutting the cake, the bride and groom must two people together with a knife to cut the first piece of cake, not a person cut, and do not ask others to do it for you.

4, why the bride to wear a veil?

Initially, the bride's veil symbolizes youth and purity. It is said that when the Western wedding of a beautiful aristocratic girl, inadvertently stood behind the white curtains, her husband saw the amazing, marveled at, which gave her the inspiration to bring a white veil in the wedding, her move immediately set off a fashion, which is the bride today to wear a white veil of the origin of the custom.

Chinese and Western visiting etiquette

In terms of titles and addresses

Westerners are usually more general in their addresses, and usually one address can cover many of the Chinese ones. For example, Westerners call a man Mr. and a woman Ms. or Miss. The word "Mr." in our various dictionaries in the first explanation is "teacher", is the oldest and most ancient title for teachers, has been passed down for thousands of years. After the founding of the country, we often add the word "comrade" to the name of acquaintances, for example, when the meeting, so-and-so leadership speech, "to so-and-so comrades to learn," and other such words do not need to go into detail. However, in today's life, with the reform and opening up, now "Mr." has become the most popular social honorific colloquialisms,

In the meeting of the etiquette of interaction

Chinese people are usually meet like nodding, shaking hands or arching, or slightly owes In the West, especially in Europe and the United States, hugging is a very common courtesy of meeting and saying goodbye, and kissing and kissing hands is also a common Western courtesy of meeting. The handshake originated in the semi-barbaric and semi-civilized period of Western mankind. This custom has gradually evolved into today's "handshake" etiquette for meeting and saying goodbye, which is accepted by most countries. In China, the handshake is not only used when meeting and saying goodbye, but also as an expression of congratulations, thanks or mutual encouragement. Therefore, it is the most widely used greeting etiquette in socializing. Meet, say goodbye to the evolution of politeness to today is "hello", "goodbye" two phrases, polite and then shake hands with each other, in a variety of weird diseases are prevalent in today's seemingly simple and hygienic and decent. However, in Western countries, we have to send the first face-to-face salute, kissing salute and kissing hand salute, so we are very uncomfortable and unacceptable.

Drinking

has always been seen as an essential part of doing business, making friends, and other social occasions by the Chinese. China usually follows the wine glass can not be empty tea can not be too full, in the West they usually like beer, wine, do not like to persuade, their behavior will follow the hostess's action. China is a big country of wine culture, thousands of years handed down the brewing process and people give the wine a good meaning, so that drinking wine has become an indispensable content of Chinese people's banquets and friends, socializing and socializing activities. The profound wine culture of the Chinese people has also impressed foreigners, making them curious about Chinese liquor, but how much they resent the forced persuasion of alcohol at the Chinese drinking table. Just as our normal Chinese people to foreigners face to face salute repulsion.