A Comparison Between Chinese Etiquette and the Western Etiquette 中西方礼仪差异.doc

A Comparison Between Chinese Etiquette and the Western Etiquette中西方礼仪差异AbstractSince 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, the jokes and the mistakes caused by misunderstanding is not unusual. This shows that the understanding of the different etiquettes between Chinese and  the Westerners is absolutely necessary. In the office, to understand each others customer will be conductive to the exchanges 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. 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 cultural differences between China and the West still exists. The paper explores the differences between Chinese etiquette and the Western etiquette to make Chinese communicate with the Westerners more easily.Key WordsEtiquette; comparison; Chinese etiquette; the Western etiquette 摘要由于各国的历史和文化底蕴不同，各国人民在进行礼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，因为不了解这些差异而引起的误会和笑话也不少见。由此可见了解中西方交往的习惯差异是很有必要的。往大处来说，一个国家无论是在政治上，还是在经济贸易中，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。随着中西方文化的不断发展，中西方的礼仪正在相互融合，西方人逐渐接受了中国文化中重情感等合理因素，中国人也逐渐接受了西方文化中先进文明的礼仪和交往方式。但在现实生活中，由于中西方文化的差异对礼仪产生的影响还很多，为此本文探讨研究了中西方礼仪的差异，使中西方人们之间的交往更加容易。关键词礼仪；差异；中国的礼仪；西方的礼仪 Introduction Etiquette is the 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, it can help people raise their self-cultivation. Secondly, it will promote social interaction and improve peoples interpersonal relationship. It also can purify the society. Since different countries have different historical and cultural backgrounds. There are a lot of differences in the ceremony, especially between China and the West. The understanding of the differences between Chinese etiquette and the Western etiquette are absolutely necessary. The paper explores the differences of Chinese etiquette and the Western etiquette. In modern society, it seems that the world is getting smaller and smaller, people are very active with frequent exchanges. 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. . The Important Role of Etiquette and the Value of the Study of Chinese Etiquette and the Western EtiquetteEtiquette is an important part of human life. It has many functions. So it plays an important role in human society.A. The Concept of Etiquette and the Reasons for Studying Etiquette Etiquette is the process and means to show respect to each other in interpersonal relationship by certain, common procedures. Etiquette can be said to be a persons external appearance of inward cultivation and quality. From the aspect of communication, interpersonal 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. 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. 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. B. The Value of the Study of the Western Etiquette and Chinese EtiquetteSince 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 modern 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 understand, 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 others 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. The Difference Between Chinese Etiquette and the Western EtiquetteThere are three main differences between Chinese etiquette and the Western etiquette. The first one is different origins of Chinese etiquette and the Western etiquette. In China, etiquette is equal to courtesy and ceremony. In the West, the word etiquette used to mean “keep off the grass”. The second one is the differences of  cultural backgrounds. The third one is the differences of educations.A. The Origins of Chinese Etiquette and the Western Etiquette Chinese etiquette and the Western etiquette have different origins.1. 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 XIVs 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 1960s, the importance of good manners was taught without question, but with the liberated 70s, it came 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. The Impact of the Western Culture and Chinese Culture on Etiquette Chinese and the Westerners have different cultural backgrouds. Chinese etiquette and the Western etiquette are affected by their culture deeply.1. The Impact of Different Modes of Social Interaction on Etiquette Chinese cultures and the Western cultures have attached great importance to interpersonal relationship. However, they were clearly different in exchanging ideas. Chinese are very warm and hospitable, which contained in relationships, being not seemed to be preserved. It is granted to understand the age, occupation, income, marital status, children and other issues with each other. The Westerners will generally not do like that. Chinese will ask the price of goods which is bought by others directly. In the eyes of Chinese people, the price is only for items or rank. It is said the quality of goods. In Westerners eyes, if you do the same thing, it may be regarded as the inquiry of others economic conditions. It is also the privacy of the Westerners which should not be asked directly. If you want to know the price in details, you can only tactfully praise the achievement of the goods. Under such circumstances, the Westerners will tell you if it is cheap or expensive in general, but they normally do not tell you the price. Chinese prefer to ask “where are you going?” when they meet others. This is just a form of calling in China. And if it happens in the United States, it might make the other feel embarrassed, because it belongs to others privacy you should not interfere in. In addition, the distance of the interaction between people can be divided into four types. There are close distance, individual distance, social distance and public distance. Chinese peoples kind relatively belongs to close distance. We often see two Chinese girls walking on the street arm-in-arm which is rare to see in the West. The Westerners think that the Chinese are too close. On the contrary, the Chinese feel that the Westerners are very cold, arrogant, distant with others, and unfriendly. If Chinese people find that there is a thrum in others clothes, they will naturally pick it off. It is a bad behavior in the eyes of the Westerners. When Chinese meet a friend who wears very pretty clothes, he will stroke the clothes before asking price or texture. The Westerners will not do like that but directly praise his friends and his beautiful clothes.2. The Differences between the Personal Philosophies of Etiquette Chinese and the Westerners have differences between the personal philosophies of etiquette.(1)  Individualism of the West and Modesty of China.The Westerners are proud of the achievements of individuals. They never cover up their self-confidence, and are always proud of the accomplishment and the ecstasy of themselves. Conversely, the promotion of Chinese culture does not flaunt personal honor. Generally, Chinese people usually oppose or defy the people who are proud of themselves. However, the Westerners are dissatisfied with the Chinese self-denial or self-modesty. “Your English is very good!” “No, my English is poor.” For Chinese people, it is a modest response. But for the Westerners, it is not only denying himself but also denying people who appreciate him. This shows that the modesty of Chinese style is not feasible in the West.(2)Self-centered and Selfless Education The Westerners have a strong sense of independence and self-center. One should be responsible for himself. In the Western society, every ones quality of life and survival depends on their ability. Therefore, each person must be self-struggle and put personal interests to the first place. They are not accustomed to caring for others, helping others or talking about the affairs of others. It precisely can be seen from the above that helping others or being helped by others in the West are some embarrassing incidents. Being helped by others expresses their inability and helping others will be considered as interference in others private affairs. Chinese code of conduct is “I am useful to the community, no matter whether it is useful to others.” The value of the individual is embodied in the dedication. Chinese culture promotes a noble sentimentselfless devotion. In China, activities concerning others and giving others very careful consideration is a virtue. Therefore, Chinese people are willing to care about others family affairs. This would be regarded as intrusion in the Western countries.(3) The Spirit of Exploration and Innovation and the Spirit of MiddlebrowIn Western countries, people are encouraged to be explorative, be innovative and do outstanding terrific cases that can not be done by our predecessors. Traditional Chinese culture requires people to