摘 要

随着经济全球化及信息交流的加快，中西方文化碰撞愈发频繁。餐桌礼仪是社会文化的一个重要部分，顾名思义就是指在吃饭用餐时在餐桌上的礼仪常识，反映了一个民族的社会文化内涵和价值观。中西方不同的文化内涵和价值观造就了餐桌礼仪的差异，深刻了解中西方餐桌礼仪是文化融合的必要条件。

本研究运用对比分析法，从中西方座次安排、餐具使用和餐桌气氛等三个方面分析了中西方餐桌礼仪差异，以及所折射出的不同文化内涵和价值观。研究发现由于中国传统文化重视等级观念，西方崇尚平等自由；中国的价值观强调团结，自我牺牲，西方坚持个人荣誉；中国社会文化内涵核心是集体意识，西方核心思想是是个人意识。以上这些都在中西方餐桌礼仪上得到了充分体现。本研究旨在帮助英语学习者了解中西方餐桌文化差异，推进中西方跨文化交流的顺利开展。

关键词：餐桌礼仪，文化差异，价值观，文化内涵

Contents

Acknowledgments………………………………………………………………………………… i

Abstract (English)…………………………………………………………………………………..ii

Abstract (Chinese)…………………………………………………………..……………… …….iii

Chapter 1 Introduction.......................................................................................................................1

1.1 Research Background………………………………………..............................................1

1.2 Significance of the Study………………………………………………………………….2

1.3 Organization of the Thesis…………………………...........................................................2

Chapter 2 Literature Review …………………………………………………………………….. .3

2.1 Studies at Home ...3

2.2 Studies Abroad ..4

2.3 Summary..............................................................................................................................5

Chapter 3 Differences in Table Manners. 6

3.1 Differences in Table Setting 6

3.2 Differences in Dinnerware 7

3.3 Differences in Dinning Atmosphere 8

3.4 Summary………………………………………………………………………………....10

Chapter 4 Reasons for the Differences………………………………………………….................11

4.1 Cultural Tradition……………………………………………...........................................11

4.2 Values…………………………………………………………………………………….12

4.3 Social Cultural Connotation ………………………………………………………….....13

4.4 Summary …………………………………………………………………………….......14

Chapter 5 Conclusion……………………………………………………………………………...15

5.1 Major findings .15

5.2 Implications 15

5.3 Limitations and Suggestions 16

Bibliography 17

Appendix ....17

A Contrastive Study on Chinese and Western Table Manners

Chapter 1 Introduction

1. 1 Research Background

On the premise of the economic and cultural exchange, intercultural communication, the emerging boundary science, engendered in a fast-paced global economy. The communication we need is not to formulate the contents you said, but to get mutual understanding each other. Under the process of global economic integration, national trade association was increasingly frequent, including table manners. With the development of the global economy, the impact between China and the west is increasingly greater. Table manners, as the part of social culture, reflect the social cultural connotation and values of nation. As the name suggests, it is the etiquette and common sense on the table.

Table manners play an important role in China, which has a long history. According to the documentary records, Chinese table manners can be dated back to the Zhou Dynasty. At that time, Chinese table manners have evolved a very well-established system: a highly hierarchical society. In this society, diverse kinds of persons are separated into different classes: the emperor, the feudal lords, chancellors, inferior officers and the common people. Actually, Zhou Dynasty set complex table manners in order to indicate those persons with different classes or different social status. Confucius, who held a libation in Lu state, praised highly table manners as the significant aspect to measure the etiquette and civilization. These table manners determine the prime form of rules and conceptions of Chinese table setting. That is the reason why Chinese table setting mirrors strict hierarchy. While, western table manners mainly originated from French Merovingian Dynasty. French nobilities set a system of table manners under the inspiration of the Byzantium Civilization. Additionally, French chivalry is also the crucial influence to western table manners.

Therefore, western table setting is in a gentle and strict order. The differences of cultures and values between China and the west gives rise to the difference of table manners. The present study will focus on the cultural differences between Chinese and western table manners by comparing table setting, dinnerware and dinning atmosphere.

1.2 Significance of the Study

As the communication platform, table manners play an indispensable role between countries. The form of table manners requires us to obey standards in some degree in dealing with people. When people from different countries have dinner together, they bring different traditional manners, religious faith and local historical civilization. It will help English learners understand the differences of Chinese and western culture. With the increasing interaction in many countries, the realization of different table manners can decrease the difference between China and the west, and urge people to get progress together. It is crucial to cross-cultural communication.

1.3 Organization of the Thesis