Differences in Etiquette between the Eastern and Western Countries.doc

中西方礼仪差异Differences in Etiquette between the Eastern and Western CountriesAbstract: With the advancement of economic globalization, the interactions between different cultures have been increasingly intensified people of different culture backgrounds, world views and values may inevitably encounter diverse problems and consequently misunderstanding and conflict may arise in cross-cultural communication. This calls for our research into different cultures so that we can find out problem-solving methods and strategies. Social etiquette is one of the problems that are worth our attention.It is well known that different countries have different histories and cultures; there are a lot of differences in the habit of conducts and the ceremony, especially between China and the west. In the office, to understand each others customs will be conductive to the exchange between the countries. A person who understands others rituals and folk customs can be seen as respecting for others and can be easier to make a good impression on the other side. So etiquette is the first step to personal intercourse; moreover either Chinese culture or western culture lays much stress on the significance of communication.China has been well known as “the land of etiquette”, and people are constantly observing some generally accepted codes of politeness. Confucianism, which has been influencing China for thousands of years, also stresses etiquettes, so Chinese codes of conduct are naturally under the influence of the ancient culture. Despite the different culture and values, Western countries unexceptionally emphasize etiquette in interpersonal intercourse. Therefore, both cultures have something in common as well as different. While focusing on the commonalties, this thesis gives emphasis on differences furthermore, explores the underlying factors behind these differences. After that, some solutions are produced: thinking globally and culturally; increasing cultural awareness; learning behavioral skills. In the end, the thesis concludes that in the context of cultural diversity we should face the reality and overcome communicative obstacles to achieve fluent and effective intercultural communication.Key words: social etiquette; culture differences; intercultural communication 摘 要： 随着经济全球化的发展，不同文化间的交往也不断加强。不同文化背景、不同世界观价值观的人们在交往过程中不免会发生各种各样的问题，误解和冲突就会产生。这就要求我们对不同文化进行研究，从而找到解决问题的方法和策略。交往礼仪就是值得我们关注的问题之一。由于各国的历史和文化底蕴的不同，各国人民在进行里尚交往时的习惯也有不少差异，特别是中西方之间，礼仪上的差异很大。往大处说，一个国家无论是在政治上还是经济贸易中，了解对方国家的礼仪习惯，将有利于各国之间的交往。从小处来说，一个人了解对方的礼仪和民间习惯，是对对方的尊重且容易给对方留下好印象，以便交往的顺利进行。因此，礼仪视人们交际的第一步，而且，无论中国文化还是西方文化都强调礼仪在交际中的重要性。中国素有“礼仪之邦”之称，人们在交往过程中一直遵循着一些约定俗成的礼貌准则。影响中国几千年的儒家思想把“礼”放在重要的地位，因而这些准则不免要受到几千年的文化积淀的影响。西方国家虽然痛我们相比具有不同的价值观和文化观，但在人际交往中也不例外的强调礼貌待人。因此，在中西方文化中，社交礼仪既有一些共同之处，也有许多差异。本文在关注相同之处的同时，也强调了差异的重要性，并进一步探讨了差异背后的影响因素,同时侧面探讨了解决方法：要从全球及文化的角度思考问题，增强文化意识，学习交际行为技能。最后，在文化多样性的背景下，我们应当面对现实，克服交际障碍，实现畅通而有效的跨文化沟通。关键词：社交礼仪；文化差异；跨文化交ContentsI. Introduction.1II. The Importance of Etiquette and Etiquette Study2III. Differences in Factors Affecting Etiquette between the East and the West.3A. The Origins of Chinese Etiquette and the Western Etiquette.3B. Different Cultural Background of Etiquette between the East and the West.41. The Impact of Different Modes of Social Interaction on Etiquette.52. The Differences between the Personal Philosophies of Etiquette53. The Impact of Different Social Customs on Etiquette.64. The Impact of Different Hierarchism of People Status on Etiquette.7C. Chinese Etiquette Education and the Western Etiquette Education81. Etiquette Education in the Western Countries82. Etiquette Education in China10IV. Contrast of the Chinese Etiquette and the Western Etiquette.11A. Wedding Tradition.11B. Dining Tradition141. Differences in Tableware152. Differences in Table Setting.163. Differences in the Dining Atmosphere.174. Differences in Terms of Discourse.185. Differences in Toasting.18V. Conclusion.19Work Cited.20I. IntroductionEtiquette is process and means to show respect to each other in interpersonal relationship by certain, common procedures. The etiquette can be said to be a persons external appearance of inward cultivation and quality. Firstly, people can be raised their self-cultivation. Secondly, it will promote social interaction and improve peoples interpersonal relationship. It also can purify the society. Along with the constant development of Chinese culture and the Western culture, Chinese ritual and the western ritual are fusions. The Westerners have accepted the reasonable factors in Chinese culture and other important feelings. Chinese people have gradually accepted the advanced civilization of the Western culture and etiquette style. However, in real life, the etiquettes impact due to culture differences between China and the West still exists. Since different countries have different historical and cultural backgrounds. There are a lot of differences in the ceremony, especially between China and the West. From the point of view of collectivity, etiquette can create the image, improve the customs ultimately and achieve the purpose of enhancing the economy and social benefits. Etiquette, which is an important part of the companys culture and the entrepreneurs spirit, is a major attachment of groups image. The understanding of the differences between Chinese etiquette and the Western etiquette are absolutely necessary. In modern society, it seems that the world is getting smaller and smaller, people are very active with frequent exchanges. About Origin of Etiquette, In China, the essence of etiquette is the method of dealing with people and the belief in ghosts and spirits. People consider that all things are controlled by the ghosts which can not be seen. In the Western countries, the word etiquette used to mean “keep off the grass”. Louis Ivys gardener noticed that the aristocrats were walking through his gardens and then he put up signs (etiquette) to warn them off. And also have a more important point：Etiquette Education，etiquette education in the Western countries is the combination of etiquette education and moral education of school ceremonies. They think the values of education can not be limited to a few hours teaching in a day, but they pay attention to diversifying the form of moral education in schools. But in china, the government put great emphasis on the education of social norms, moral responsibility, racial harmony and loyalty to the state education. They pay attention to the moral and ethical values of traditional education. They consider traditional moral values as a shield against the negative effects of Western culture. Obviously, there are so many differences in etiquette. Many countries are paying great attention to combine international etiquette with national etiquette creatively. Etiquette is the common wealth of Chinese civilization and the Western civilization.II. The Importance of Etiquette and Etiquette StudyInterpersonal etiquette can be regarded as a kind of art, a method of communication. It is a common respect for person and a friendly practice in interpersonal relationships. From the respect of transmitting, interpersonal rituals can be roughly divided into chief etiquette, business etiquette, service etiquette, social etiquette, foreign etiquette and several other major branches. Firstly, it can help people to raise their self-cultivation. Secondly, it will promote social interaction and improve peoples interpersonal relationship. It also can purify the ethos of society. Almost all international enterprises have a high standard of etiquette and regard etiquette as an important part of groups culture. At the same time, it also can be regarded as the important software to obtain international fame. Therefore, studying etiquette is the trend of the times and the actual need of enhancing the competition.Since different countries have different histories and cultures, there are a lot of differences in the habit of conduct and the ceremony, especially between China and the West, the jokes and the mistakes caused by misunderstanding is not unusual. In modem history, there are two stories concerning the misunderstanding of different etiquettes. The first one is about Li Hongzhang who was invited by Bismarck to a diner. Due to a lack of the Western etiquette knowledge, he drank the water which was used to wash hands after eating the fruit. Then Bismarck did not understand Chinese customer, in order not to make Li Hongzhang lose his face, he drank the water too. Other officers also followed him and refrained from laughing. Here is another story: a KMT officer and his wife went to the airport to meet a consultant from the United States. After the meeting, the consultant said “Your wife is really beautiful!” The officer felt embarrassed and replied: “哪里，哪里！” It is just a polite way which is very common in China for the kind of the words he addressed. But the clumsy interpreter translated: “哪里，哪里!” Like “where, where?” American consultant couldnt understands, he thought” I just praised his wife, and why he asked me where his wife is beautiful”. Then, he said: “she is beautiful from head to toe.” These two jokes are due to the lack of etiquette knowledge about the differences between China and the West.This shows that the understanding of the differences of the Western etiquettes and Chinese etiquettes are absolutely necessary. To the officers, to understand each other's customs will be conductive to the exchanges between the different countries. A person who understands others rituals and folk customs can be seen as respecting for others and can be easier to make a good impression on the other side. Along with the constant development of Chinese and the Western cultures, Chinese ritual and the Western ritual are fusions. The Westerners have accepted the reasonable factors in Chinese culture and other important feelings. At the same time Chinese people have gradually accepted the advanced civilization of the Western culture and etiquette style.However, in real life, the impact on etiquette due to cultural differences between China and the West still exists. So the study of the Western etiquette and Chinese etiquette is very valuable and reasonable.III. Differences in Factors Affecting Etiquette between the East and the WestThere are three main factors that caused the differences between Chinese etiquette and the Western etiquette. The first one is different origins of Chinese etiquette and the Western etiquette. The second one is the different of cultural backgrounds. And the third is the difference of educations.A. The Origins of Chinese Etiquette and the Western EtiquetteThe difference of origin in Chinese and western cultures is very large, china's protocol to the idea originates from myths and legends, People consider that all things are controlled by the ghosts which can not be seen. To make people believe in ghosts, and western manners are derived from moralizing, the meaning of etiquette would later include the ticket to court functions that lists the instructions on which a person would stand and what was to be done. Etiquette the preacher thought the protocol into the mind, next, we will find the details of Chinese and western manners1. The Origin of Chinese EtiquetteIn China, etiquette is equal to courtesy and ceremony. The essence of etiquette is the method of dealing with people and the belief in ghosts and spirits. People consider that all things are controlled by the ghosts which can not be seen. Therefore, the etiquette is originated from the belief in ghosts and spirits, as well as a special form of belief in ghosts and spirits. China is a state of ceremonies. Back to five thousand years ago, etiquette used to be the core of traditional culture. Up to now, the etiquette has been really reformed. Thus it becomes rituals of modern civilization. Chinese etiquette in Chinese culture plays a “quasi-legal” role. Etiquettes origins can be traced back to the early time of human beings. It should be said that at the very beginning of the history of the Chinese nation, etiquette was generated along with the human activities and with a primitive religion. Etiquette is the system to deal with the three relationships among the people, God and the ghosts. It is said that there were “five ceremonies” in ancient China. In fact etiquette can be divided into two main parts, one is politics, and the other is life. Chinese legal system was bred during the establishment and implementation of the protocol. The essence of etiquette is the way how to deal with people and the belief in ghosts and spirits.2. The Origin of the Western EtiquetteIn the Western countries, the word “etiquette” used to mean “keep off the grass”. Louis Ivys gardener noticed that the aristocrats were walking through his gardens and then he put up signs (etiquette) to warn them off. The dukes and duchesses walked right past these signs. Due to this blatant disregard, the king of Versailles decreed that no individual was to go beyond the bounds of the etiquettes. The meaning of etiquette would later include the ticket to court functions that lists the instructions on which a person would stand and what was to be done. Etiquette, like language, has evolved, but it still means literally “keep off the grass”. Until the 1960's, the importance of good manners was taught without question, but with the liberated 70's, it come a decline in the popularity of teaching proper etiquette. In 2004, a new emphasis has been placed on returning to traditional values. Proper etiquette and protocol have given children and adults a vital tool that provides not only a competitive edge, but a sense of confidence. B. Different Cultural Background of Etiquette between the East and the WestAs regard to the different cultural background of etiquette, four points will be analyzed: the impact of different modes of social interaction on etiquette, the differences between the personal philosophies of etiquette, the impact of different social customs in etiquette, and his impact of different hierarchism of people status on etiquette.1. The Impact of Different Modes of Social Interaction on EtiquetteChinese cultures and the Western cultures have attached great importance to interpersonal relationship. However, they were clearly different in exchanging ideas. Chines