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Different history,different culture and different regional characteristics have created different dining etiquette between China and the West.As a tourism practitioner,it is essential to understand the differences between Chinese and Western dining etiquette.

Arrangement of Seat between China and the West

In China,people used to use the number of the tables to define the size of banquet.In small banquets which have two tables,the table on the left or farther to the entrance is the honor table.Seats at one table also have different meanings.In Chinese table manner,the seat opposite to the door is the honor seat,which is for chief guests or elders; the seats that opposite to the honor seat are the inferior seat.Inferior seats are for the host and hostess.

Western people prefer long table to round table when entertaining friends.The host and the hostess seat at both end of the table,while guests seat at other seats.The chief guest sits at the upper right side of the hostess,and the wife of the chief guest seats at the upper right side of the host.

In China,left is honor and right is secondary.While in Western countries,right is honor and left is secondary.The proper way to take the seat in Western countries is to sit by the left hand.It is better not to walk out before the banquet is finished.

Table-wares between China and the West

Chinese table wares involve chopsticks,small dishes,bowles and glasses.Chopsticks and spoons are always put together on the right hand of the plate.Chopsticks are the main table wares in Chinese food culture.It is impolite to use chopsticks to clean tooth,or pick other things that aren’t food.It is also bad manner to talk with chopsticks in hand.

In western countries,they use so many table wares with different kinds and sizes.The main table wares in Western countries are knives,forks,spoons ,glasses and napkins.Knife is used to cut food and fork is used to carry food into mouth.During the dinner,you should put them on both sides of the plate.You can also use them in a way that knife in your right hand and fork in the left hand.Soup spoon is always put on the outermost right side,together with the knife.Dessert spoon is put together with dessert knife and fork.

Different atmospheres at table

Noisy and quiet is the main difference of table atmosphere between Chinese and Westerners.Chinese table atmosphere always noisy and always the noisier the better.While Western table atmosphere is quiet.Westerners also talk at table,but they talk quietly and keep the voice at the stage that can only be heard.You can not make noises when drinking soup.Chew with your mouth closed and do not make noises when eating.

The way to finish eating

At Chinese dinner table,after eating,the chopsticks should put orderly at the right side of the bowl,and leave after the host signals to leave.Hosts should signal after all the guests put down their chopsticks.

At Western dinner table,the ways to finish eating is to put the knife and fork together on the plate parallel,with the fork’s back side up and the knife’s edge inside.

1.What is the proper way to take the seat in Western countries?

2.What are the main table wares in Chinese food culture?

3.Can you list the main differences of table atmosphere between Chinese and westerners?

4.What cause the different dining etiquette between China and the West?