Basic Differences

Position of Seating

Chinese

The guest is guided to the seat after the guests are all together, and is regarded as the chief with his left as the top, and is regarded as the second seat opposite to the first seat, and is regarded as the third seat below the first seat, and is regarded as the fourth seat below the second seat.

Western

Generally speaking, the seat farthest away from the door facing the door is the hostess's, and opposite it is the host's seat. The seat to the right of the hostess is the first guest of honor, usually a gentleman; the seat to the right of the hostess is the second guest of honor, usually the wife of the guest of honor. The seat to the left of the hostess is the third guest of honor, and the seat to the left of the host is the fourth guest of honor.

Order of serving

Chinese ①Soup ②Main course ③Wine ④Fruit

Western ①Course and soup ②Fruit ③Wine ④Main course ⑤Dessert and coffee

Tableware

Chinese: cups, plates, bowls, saucers, chopsticks, spoons and spoons and a few other kinds.

Western:knives, forks, spoons, plates, cups, etc. Knives are subdivided into serving knives, fish knives, meat knives, butter knives, and fruit knives; forks are subdivided into serving forks, fish forks, and lobster forks. Forks are divided into serving forks, fish forks, and lobster forks. Spoons are divided into tablespoons, teaspoons and so on. More types of cups, tea cups, coffee cups Porcelain, with a small plate; water cups, wine cups are mostly glass products.

Indicating how to stop eating

Middle:When you stop eating during a banquet, you can put your chopsticks on a plate or spoon. If the chopsticks are placed horizontally on the plate, it is a sign that you are drunk and full and will not eat again.

Western: When taking a break from eating, put your knife and fork down. If you want to put down your knife and fork in the middle of the meal, you should place your knife and fork in the center of the plate in the shape of a figure of eight. If the knife and fork protrude outside the plate, it is not safe and does not look good. Waving your knife and fork around while talking is rude. After the meal, simply place your knife and fork in a four o'clock position.

Dress

Chinese

In China, people can dress casually for a meal in a restaurant, even with a T-shirt and jeans, and only dress up for important parties.

Western

Dressing appropriately for dinner is common sense in Europe and America. When you go to an upscale restaurant, men should wear a neat top and leather shoes; women should wear a suit and shoes with a heel. If formal attire is specified, men must wear a tie. Casual clothes are not allowed in restaurants (not even the most expensive ones)

The way to be seated

Chinese:People are not as particular about being seated as in the West, and are mostly seated on their own terms.

Western: People take their seats from the left side of the chair. The most appropriate way to take a seat is from the left side of the chair. When the chair is pulled out, the body stands up straight at a distance almost touching the table, the usher pushes the chair in, and when the bend of the leg touches the chair behind it, you can sit down.

Napkins

Chinese:Traditionally, Chinese food does not have napkins. It is only at the end of the meal that a warm, wet towel is used to scrub up and then you are done.

Western: Napkins are opened before the meal. After ordering, and before the appetizers arrive, open the napkin and fold it in one-third so that two-thirds of it lies flat on your lap, covering your legs above the knee. It's best not to tuck the napkin into your lapel.

Drinking

Medium:Before drinking, a person who knows how to drink should politely taste the wine. You can appreciate the color of the wine, smell it and taste it slowly. Don't raise your glass and drink without looking at it to show how much you have, so that the wine flows down the corners of your mouth. You do not need to show off your elegance by raising your glass with your little finger crossed in a pretentious manner. It is not advisable to drink and smoke at the same time. In view of the fact that it is easy to lose one's tongue and rudeness after drinking, the amount of alcohol consumed in a foreign event should be limited to less than half of one's usual amount of alcohol. Don't get carried away by the hospitality of the other party or the food and wine. The educated drinker will not let others hear the sound of swallowing when drinking, pouring only eighty percent full.

West: You can't drink soup by sucking on it. Use a spoon to scoop up the soup from back to front, and place the bottom of the spoon on your lower lip to bring the soup into your mouth. It is better to hold the spoon at a 45° angle to your mouth. Lean forward slightly. When there is not much soup left in the bowl, use your fingers to lift the bowl slightly. If the soup is served in a bowl with a grip ring, you can pick it up by the ring.

How to use utensils

Medium:

How to use chopsticks. First the middle finger and ring finger are placed under each of the two chopsticks, the thumb is pressed on top of the chopsticks, the index finger is pressed against the thumb, and the pinky finger is curved inward. The opening and closing of the chopsticks can be adjusted with the movement of the middle finger.

West:How to use a knife and fork. The basic principle is to hold a knife or spoon in your right hand and a fork in your left. If you have more than two, the one on the outside should be taken from the inside in order. Hold a knife or fork lightly by the end, with your index finger on the handle. A spoon can be held in the same way as a pen. If you feel uncomfortable, you can switch to holding the fork in your right hand, but changing too often will make you look rude. When eating larger vegetables, use a knife and fork to fold and slice them. Softer foods can be placed on the fork plane and organized with a knife.

Note

In addition, there are some small problems in the meal should pay attention to:

such as chopsticks: long-term life practice, people use chopsticks have formed some etiquette taboos:

a taboo knocking chopsticks: that is, waiting for the meal, can not be seated at the table, one hand to take a chopstick and randomly knocking the bowls or teacups.

The second taboo throwing chopsticks: when issuing chopsticks before the meal, the chopsticks should be straightened out, and then gently placed in front of each person's table: when the distance between them is far away, they can be asked to pass over, and can not be thrown on the table at will.

The third taboo forked chopsticks: chopsticks can not be placed horizontally and vertically crosswise next to the bowl, one is a big head and one is a small head. Chopsticks should be placed next to the bowl, not resting on the bowl.

Four taboo insert chopsticks: in the middle of the meal for some reason need to leave temporarily, to put the chopsticks gently on the table or the side of the plate, not inserted in the rice bowl.

Fifth, avoid waving chopsticks: in the dish, chopsticks can not be waved around in the dish, up and down the flip, encountered other people also come to the dish, pay attention to avoid, beware of "chopsticks fight".

Six taboos dancing chopsticks: when talking, don't use chopsticks as knives, dancing on the table; don't poke your chopsticks in front of other people when they are using food. It is rude to do so.