On Differences between Chinese and Western Dietary Cultures英语毕业论文.doc
On Differences between Chinese and Western Dietary CulturesThesis Statement：This thesis explores the differences between Chinese and western dietary cultures. Chinese and western dietary cultures are different in Catering ideas, food sources, as well as table manners. By analyzing those differences in the three aspects between Chinese and western food, we can make a conclusion that Chinese care “nature and man are in harmony with each other” while westerners believe in “People-oriented”. Outline：1. Introduction2. Comparison between Chinese and western catering ideas1. Chinese “food to taste first”2. Western natural and rational diet ideas3. Comparison between Chinese and western food making1. Chinese prefer fine-made grain 2. Western fast-food habit 4. Comparison between Chinese and western table manners1. Western elegant dining habita) The dinning atmosphere is quiet and peacefulb) Seat themselves following the rule “ladies first”c) Toasting manners2. Chinese harmony atmospherea) The dinning atmosphere is bustle b) They seat themselves with respecting for seniorityc) Toasting manners5. ConclusionWorks cited On Differences between Chinese and Western Dietary Cultures1、IntroductionFood is dangerous, but food is delicacy. Food, as an essential prerequisite for existence, is any substance that provides the nutrients necessary to maintain life and growth when ingested. It plays an irreplaceable role in the development of society and in the progress of human beings, whether in ancient times when primitive man ate the raw flesh of birds and beasts or in modern times when human beings have entered the new era of information, and whether in East or in West. Chinese food culture connotation is profound. There is a saying that “Chinese people see food as the heaven”. The diet culture has a large proportion in Chinese culture. Along with the globalization and the entry of China into the WTO or some other influence in different aspects, the world make closer contact increasingly, and Chinese and western food culture are into collisions and integration continually.2、Comparison between Chinese and western catering ideasChinese and western philosophies are different.Westerners tend to pay more attention to the science of diet, that is to say, they care about the nutrition. No matter how the color, form and flavor of food, they strive to delicate taste and balanced diet. There are two rules about western diet habit. First, natural food is safety and reliability. Second, plant food let people be at ease. In advocate natural products of the environment, pollution-free agricultural products win more and more consumers favor and attention. From the most basic to the most refined, from the sweet to the savory, from beer to rich fat milk cheese, pollution-free can be found everywhere, even in breakfast cereals, espresso coffee. At the same time, plant food also has a large market in western markets. Besides, vegetarian food isnt the vegetarians patent.In one word, Westerners think of eating as a means of surviving. They treasure nutrition more than taste, that is if there is some food high rich in nutrients but not tasty, they may also choose to digest it. However, the Chinese catering idea is a sensible one, and the Chinese diet culture has a long history which has been one of Chinese indispensable traditional culture. Chinese people really care about food. They work the foods function to its acme. Chinese food is not only to survive from hunger, but also keep fit. Meanwhile, there is a saying “Diet cures more than doctor” that can prove it. Besides, Chinese people are glad to pursue delicacy. They take advantage of the nature of ingredients, and then reconcile ingredients and accessories to make them in harmony with each other. After a long process, delicious food will be placed at an exquisite dining table. Family members or friends get together; raise their glass toast to each other, full of happiness and reunion. Chinese dining culture concentrate the word “He” above all.Of course, we can draw a conclusion that Chinese diet idea is a sensible one. Apart from those above, we also can find this conclusion from the food source described below. 3、Comparison between Chinese and western food makingA documentary “A Bite of China”, which takes food as the theme, called for general mobilization of "dietary people” in the past few weeks. Its the first time that Chinese had used the HD equipment shooting large food category documentaries. During the projection period, millions of people were staring at the television screen into the late night, while their fingers surfing the internet for delicious snacks which were mentioned on that documentary. In those days Chinese food safety problems breaking out frequently, Chinese passion to food which has already suppressed a long time is reignited overnight.In this documentary, both food and the people and things behind food exudes a strong Chinese flavor, as what implied from that mountains, rivers and sailing boat as well as chopsticks and meat are presented on the poster at the same time. Moreover, we also can find out: we Chinese food is fine-made. They choose everything that can be eaten, making use of different cooking ways “hot, fresh, salty, sweet, red pepper, laver, yellow croaker, sea cucumber, stir, and simmer, white boiled.” to produce delicious food. In China, cooking is art to some degree. Same ingredients can make totally different taste.However, in western countries, there is another different phenomenon. The westerners may also be exquisite with food making, pay attention to service, and care about food raw material of the form, color aspects collocation. But there is only a kind of taste of steak from Los Angeles to New York, no matter how luxury high-grade it is. Its non-sense of art. As food, chicken is chicken, steak is steak. Collocation is also in the pan. There is not anything like a sieve, or something else. The color is contrast, but the taste of all kinds of raw materials is independent from each other. Each ingredient is of different flavor, simple and clear.Furthermore, fast-food is popular with the majority of westerners, especially those in America. Fast-food refers to food that can be prepared and served quickly. Sandwich, pizza, hamburgers are such popular things. People may find them in like MacDonald, KFC, and Pizza hut those fast-food restaurants. Why western people are for them? Firstly, it is really convenient. Consumers can either eat it at the shop or take it away. Secondly, its name comes from this strong point. It can save time. The procedure to prepare fast-food is really not to take customers too much time. It is fast. The ultimate one is that its really tasty. Nevertheless, we should control ourselves not to take in too much fast-food, for most of them are high in fat and lack in lots of nutrients. 4、 Comparison between Chinese and western table manners .Certainly, the most superficial difference on the Chinese dinner table is chopsticks instead of knife and fork. You can always ask for a pair of knife and fork in up-grade and decent restaurants yet, if you find the chopsticks not helpful enough.The real difference is the atmosphere and sociology reflected on the table in the West and china.In the western countries, they may enjoy their dinner elegantly with their food on their own plates. They would like to dine at elegant and quiet environment. There is dulcet and downy piano, peaceful light and good-mannered waiters or waitress. Therefore, they arent allowed to make too much noise so that diners had better pick up or put down their knives and forks scrupulously and not talk loudly. Meanwhile, speaking with mouth full is also inappropriately.If you are being treated to a formal dinner, and you happen to be a gentleman, please remember “lady first”. That means you may move the chair help ladies in or out of the chair before or after the dinner. And you ought to have your dinner after ladies have had their meals. Additionally, ladies seats are higher than gentlemens. Sometimes, gentlemen ought to help the lady beside him to unfold the napkin.In spite of what mentioned above, in western banquets the host leave the guests freely feasting themselves. The host toast to the guests just once, in most instances.While in China, people like to have dinner among a lot of people, such as their family members or closely friends and their colleagues. That exactly reflects that they prefer to have a jolly time. During Chinese dining, there are a lot of items to entertain diners. There may be someone reciting poems, lighting fantastic toe, or guessing riddles. People laugh and enjoy. And people in china take their seats with respecting the seniority. Peoples dining position reflects the most obvious etiquette of Chinese table manners. The master of a family usually sits on the first-class seat. The first-class seat is usually near the interior of a room facing to the door. Once there is a guest, the master will offer the first-class seat to the guest politely. The dishes are placed on the table and everyone shares. If it is an ordinary meal of family, families should start after the elder. If there is a guest, the master offer the food to the guest is essential from the beginning to the end. People in China tend to over-order food, for they will find it embarrassing if all the food is consumed. When you have had enough, just say so. Or you will always overeat! And the tradition of urging others to drink is also a special phenomenon. If the hosts dont, they may have the opinion that they are not considerate enough.5、Conclusion To draw a conclusion that western and Chinese dietary culture is distinctly different in catering ideas, food making and table manners. Meantime, intercultural communication play a more and more important role with the increasingly frequent internationally contact. Meanwhile, diet culture is a key part of ethnic culture. So it does benefit a lot if we know the differences of diet culture well. Works cited多晓萍. 从饮食角度浅析中西文化. 甘肃兰州：兰州工业高等专科学校学报，2005.12纪晓峰. 浅析中西方饮食文化差异. 吉林四平：农业与技术，2011.2李洁、翟朝、秦烨. 从跨文化角度浅析中西饮食文化差异. 群文天地，2008.9欧阳艳. 浅析中西饮食文化. 广东广州：湖北函授大学学报，2011.7王长友. 浅谈中西方饮食观念的差别. 吉林延吉：宿州教育学院学报，2009.8
