Differences in Chinese and Western dining table cultures

Differences in Chinese and Western dining table cultures

1. Introduction

Since entering the 21st century, cross-cultural communication has become an indispensable part of people's lives. Due to regional differences, different ethnic groups and countries have formed different cultures. Table culture is also an important part of non-linguistic culture in cross-cultural communication.

Different ethnic groups and countries have their own unique food cultures, which are rich in ethnic identity and diversity. Revealing the differences and differences between Chinese and Western table cultures from a cross-cultural perspective can enable people to understand its profound cultural connotations, explore its cultural heritage, and improve cross-cultural awareness.

2. Chinese and Western table culture

Due to the influence of region, environment, customs and other factors, table culture will have varying degrees of differences in raw materials, tastes, and eating habits. The differences between Chinese and Western cultures create differences in Chinese and Western food cultures, and this difference comes from the different ways of thinking and philosophies of life between China and the West. Chinese people pay attention to "the unity of nature and man", while Westerners pay attention to "people-oriented".

2.1 Chinese table culture

Chinese table culture has a long history. In ancient times, there were sayings that "food is the most important thing for the people" and "having plenty of food and clothing". Today, there is a saying that "people are like iron and rice is like steel. If you don't eat even one meal, you will be hungry." People regard food culture as an important part of their lives, and often measure their living standards by the quality of their diet. And grand festivals are also related to food. It can be seen that since ancient times, the Chinese people have attached great importance to diet and have continued to this day.

On the other hand, as a country of oriental etiquette, the Chinese have valued banquet seating etiquette and reception etiquette for thousands of years. According to relevant historical records, at least in the Zhou Dynasty, my country's dietary etiquette has been initially formed. After continuous development and changes, it gradually formed a system and had a certain influence on Western table culture.

With the changes of the times, food culture is developing into diversification. Since the Qing Dynasty, some Western food etiquette has been introduced. The exchange of Chinese and Western table culture has made table manners more scientific and reasonable.

In China, round dining tables are very popular. Because a round table can seat more people, and everyone can sit facing each other, the identity of the head of the family is not clearly identified by his seat like on a long Western dining table. Guests should wait for the host's invitation before sitting down. The host must be careful not to ask guests to sit near where the food is being served. This is a big no-no. You must wait until everyone is present before starting any meal activity—even if someone is late. During the meal, the host must assume a proactive role - it is completely reasonable to urge the guests to eat and drink to their heart's content. Most Chinese dishes do not have just one ingredient. There are usually other side dishes or ingredients to complement the main dish to create a dish with full flavor and flavor. For example, cooked pork will be served with crisp green vegetables, such as celery or green peppers. , to bring out the pink color of the pork. A meal will not only have one dish, but usually two or even four dishes are served at the same time, and each dish must be delicious, delicious, and the order of serving is based on the matching of the dishes. Usually similar dishes will be served together. Serve them at the same time, not before and after. In short, the whole meal must be coordinated.

Except for soup, chopsticks are used for all food on the table. Knives may be provided, but chopsticks are best. Chopsticks are the main tool for eating, so never play with them. Do not use chopsticks to tap other objects, and do not use chopsticks to point or gesture at people. Never suck on chopsticks or stick chopsticks in rice. This is taboo and considered unlucky. Furthermore, don't use chopsticks to flip the dishes in a dish. You should first use your eyes to identify the food you want to take. When you use chopsticks to pick up a piece of food, try to avoid touching other food. After eating or taking out food, put the chopsticks back into the chopstick holder. A Chinese-style meal would not be a formal meal without tea. To this end, try to store as many different varieties of tea as possible to cater for the different tea-tasting needs of your guests. There are some things that should be noted when it comes to tea. The person sitting closest to the teapot should be responsible for pouring tea for others and himself - the order of pouring tea is according to age, from the oldest to the youngest, and finally for himself. When someone pours tea for you, you should tap your fingers on the table as a courtesy to express your gratitude and respect to the person who poured the tea.

A Chinese-style meal would not be a formal meal without tea. To this end, try to store as many different varieties of tea as possible to cater for the different tea-tasting needs of your guests. There are some things that should be noted when it comes to tea.

The person sitting closest to the teapot should be responsible for pouring tea for others and himself - the order of pouring tea is according to age, from the oldest to the youngest, and finally for himself. When someone pours tea for you, you should tap your fingers on the table as a courtesy to express your gratitude and respect to the person who poured the tea.

2.2 Western Table Culture

There are four or five categories on the Western food menu, namely appetizers, soups, salads, seafood, snacks, etc. The main course should be decided first. If the main course is fish, choose meat for the appetizer, which will be more varied in taste. The first course of Western food is the appetizer, also called appetizer. Appetizers generally include cold appetizers and hot appetizers. The taste is mainly salty and sour, with small quantity and high quality. Different from Chinese food, the second course of Western food is soup. It can be roughly divided into 4 categories: clear soup, cream soup, vegetable soup and cold soup. Fish dishes are generally served as the third course of Western food, also known as side dishes. Usually aquatic products, eggs, breads, and crispy box dishes are called side dishes. Meat and poultry dishes are the fourth course of Western food, also called the main course. The most representative is beef or steak. Vegetable dishes can be arranged after meat dishes or served at the same time as meat dishes, so they can be counted as a dish or a side dish. Vegetable dishes are called salads in Western food. Desserts in Western food are eaten after the main course and can be regarded as the sixth course. It includes all post-main course foods such as pudding, ice cream, cheese, fruit, etc. The last course of a Western meal is a drink, coffee or tea.

When using a knife and fork, take it from the outside to the inside. Hold the fork in your left hand and the knife in your right hand. When cutting something, hold the fork in your left hand to hold the food, hold the knife in your right hand to cut into small pieces, and use the fork to bring it to your mouth. When using a knife, the blade must not face outwards. When you need to take a break during the meal, you can put down your knife and fork and place it in the center of the plate in the shape of an "eight" to indicate that you have not finished eating yet and will continue to eat. After each dish is finished, place the knife and fork side by side on the plate to indicate that you have finished eating and the dish or plate can be taken away. If you are talking, you can hold the knife and fork without putting it down, but don't wave it. When you are not using a knife, you can hold a fork with your right hand, but when you need to make a gesture, you should put down the knife and fork. Never wave a knife or fork in the air. Do not hold a knife or fork in one hand while wiping your mouth with a napkin in the other hand. Don't hold a wine glass in one hand and a fork in the other to pick up food. Never place a knife and fork with one end on the plate and the other end on the table.

Don’t put makeup on at the dinner table and use a napkin to wipe your nose. Burping during meals is a big no-no. When eating, you can ask others to pass the food that is out of reach without standing up. Don't put too much food in your mouth at one time, and don't talk while chewing. Don't gorge yourself when eating. You should also put a little of the food you don't want to eat on your plate as a courtesy. You should not leave your seat in the middle of a meal. If you really need to leave, whisper hello to the guests on your left and right. When drinking and toasting, even if you don't drink, you should touch the rim of the cup to your lips to show respect. When someone pours wine for you, if you don't need it, you can simply say "No, thank you!" or cover the wine glass with your hand to express your refusal.

2.3 Differences in Chinese and Western dining table cultures

Some people say that the core of Chinese cultural ideology is "group consciousness", while the ideological core of Western culture is "individual consciousness". Therefore, even if Westerners treat guests to dinner, everyone orders their own dishes and drinks their own wine, so as not to impose their will on others. Chinese culture believes that the will of the individual must obey the common will of the group of individuals. Since its purpose is human relations and blood ties, its manners and etiquette consider harmony as the most precious thing. Therefore, Chinese people love to gather together, eat together, and talk about harmony.

①Two different food concepts

Compared with Chinese food that focuses on "taste", the West has an ideal food concept. This kind of rationality has enabled it to achieve rapid development in natural science, psychology, and methodology, but it has greatly hindered the development of food culture. Western food pays attention to nutrition, the combination of dishes, tableware and service. However, in terms of taste, the various ingredients are irrelevant and harmonious. Each has its own taste and is relatively single.

In Chinese cooking, the pursuit of delicious food has almost reached the extreme. This is also the main reason why Chinese food is so popular all over the world. Unfortunately, when we put the pursuit of delicious food as our first requirement, we ignore the most fundamental nutritional value of food.

The second half of the sentence "Food is the most important thing in the world" is "Food comes first." It is this pursuit of delicious food that makes insufficient nutrition a rich dialectic thought in Chinese philosophy. Everything is based on the beauty and harmony of the taste of food. The ever-changing within a certain range determines the richness and variety of Chinese cuisine, and determines the characteristics of Chinese cuisine.

②Differences in dietary styles

There are great differences between Chinese and Western dietary styles, and this difference also affects the personalities of ethnic groups.

In China, any banquet, no matter what festival it is, will only have one form, that is, everyone sits around and enjoys a seat. The banquet uses a round table, which creates an atmosphere of unity, courtesy and fun. Delicious food is placed in the center of a table. It is not only an object for people to appreciate and taste, but also a medium for emotional communication among people at the table. Although this way of eating has obvious shortcomings from a hygienic point of view, it is in line with the general mentality of our nation's "happy reunion" and reflects the influence of the category of "harmony" in classical Chinese philosophy on the thinking of future generations. Collective emotional communication has therefore remained difficult to reform.

Although food and wine are very important at a Western-style banquet, they are actually used as a foil. The core of a banquet is friendship, which is achieved through conversations with neighboring guests. The most obvious difference from the Chinese eating style is the popular buffet in the West. This method facilitates emotional communication between individuals without having to put everything on the table. It also shows Westerners' respect for individuality and self. But everyone eats his or her own thing and does not interfere with each other, which lacks some of the Chinese people's mood of chatting and having fun.

③Differences in terminology at the dinner table

We should also pay attention to the cultural differences between China and the West when treating guests to dinner, otherwise it will cause jokes.

Chinese people are warm and hospitable. When they treat guests to a meal, they usually fill the table with dishes. However, no matter how rich the dishes are, they always say modestly: "There is nothing delicious. The dishes are not well cooked. Eat whatever you want." "However, when British and Americans hear such polite words, they will feel disgusted: "Why treat me if there is nothing to eat? Why treat me if the food is not good?" According to Chinese customs, In order to show politeness, it is customary to persuade guests to eat more. However, Chinese people often do not mean what they say. They are obviously hungry, but they say: "I am full, no need."

And British and Americans do not mean it. Entertaining guests is generally not that particular, just three or four dishes will suffice. When dining, the host will usually say: "Help yourself, please!" British and American people respect guests' personal will. The fact is that it is very impolite to ask guests repeatedly if they want food or to force food on them. Therefore, when the host adds food to you or asks you what you want, if you want to eat, you can directly answer yes. During the meal, the guests must praise the delicious food prepared by the host and praise the host's craftsmanship. Otherwise, no matter how full you are, the host will not be happy.

3. Conclusion

So, the difference between Chinese and Western table culture is ultimately the difference between sensibility and rationality. Culture promotes the formation of diet, and diet reflects the culture of various countries. However, this difference seems to be blurring with the development of science and communication in the world. Chinese and Western table cultures influence and combine with each other, making the two more perfect and scientific.