1. Introduction

Since the 20th century, cross-cultural communication has become an indispensable part of people's lives. Due to regional differences, different nationalities and countries have formed different cultures. Table culture is also an important part of nonverbal culture in cross-cultural communication.

Different nationalities and countries have their own unique food culture, which is characterized by strong nationality and diversity. Revealing the differences and differences between Chinese and western dining table cultures from a cross-cultural perspective is helpful for people to understand its profound cultural connotation, explore its cultural connotation and improve cross-cultural awareness.

2. Chinese and Western dining table culture

Due to the influence of geography, environment, customs and other factors, table culture will be different in raw materials, tastes, eating habits and other aspects. The differences between Chinese and western cultures have created the differences between Chinese and western food cultures, which come from different ways of thinking and philosophy of life. People in China pay attention to "harmony between man and nature", while westerners pay attention to "people-oriented".

2. 1 China table culture

China has a long history of table culture. In ancient times, there was a saying that "food is the most important thing for the people" and "adequate food and clothing". There is a saying today that "people are iron, rice is steel, and you will be hungry if you don't eat a meal". People regard food culture as an important part of life, and often measure the living standard by the quality of food. And grand festivals are also related to diet. It can be seen that China people have always attached importance to diet since ancient times.

On the other hand, as an oriental etiquette country, China people have a tradition of attaching importance to banquet seating and reception etiquette for thousands of years. According to relevant historical records, at least in the Zhou Dynasty, China's food etiquette was initially formed, and after continuous development and changes, it gradually formed a system, which had a certain impact on western table culture.

With the changes of the times, food culture is developing in a diversified direction. Since the Qing Dynasty, some western manners have been introduced. The table cultural exchange between Chinese and western food makes table manners more scientific and reasonable.

Round dining tables are very popular in China. Because the round one can seat more people and everyone can sit face to face, the identity of the head of the family is not clearly determined by his seat on the western-style long table. Guests should wait for the host's invitation before taking their seats. The host must be careful not to let the guests sit near the serving table. This is a big no-no. You must wait until everyone arrives before you can start any kind of dining activities-even if someone is late. In the process of eating, the host must play an active role-it is completely reasonable to urge the guests to eat and drink to their fullest. Most Chinese dishes have more than one ingredient. There are usually other side dishes or ingredients to set off the main course, so as to make dishes with all colors and flavors. For example, cooked pork will be served with crisp green vegetables, such as celery or green peppers, to set off pink pork. A meal is not just one dish, usually two or even four dishes are served at the same time, and each dish should be delicious. The order of serving is subject to the collocation of dishes. Usually, similar dishes are served at the same time, and they are not served separately. In short, the whole meal should emphasize coordination.

Chopsticks are used for all food on the table except soup. Knives can be provided, but chopsticks are best. Chopsticks are the main tool for eating. Don't play with them. Don't beat other objects with chopsticks, and don't point or gesture at people with chopsticks. Never suck chopsticks or stick them in rice. This is a taboo and is considered unlucky. Besides, you shouldn't keep turning around in a plate with chopsticks. You should look at the food you want to take with your eyes first. When you pick up a piece of food with chopsticks, you should try to avoid touching other foods. After eating or taking away the food, put the chopsticks back on the chopsticks rack. China restaurant is not formal without tea. To this end, try to store different kinds of tea, so as to take care of guests' different tea demand. On the question of tea, we should pay attention to some matters. The person sitting next to the teapot is responsible for pouring tea for others and for himself-the order of pouring tea is according to age, from the oldest to the youngest, and finally for himself. When someone pours tea for you, it is polite to tap on the table with your fingers, which is to show your gratitude and respect to the tea pourer.

China restaurant is not formal without tea. To this end, try to store different kinds of tea, so as to take care of guests' different tea demand. On the question of tea, we should pay attention to some matters. The person sitting next to the teapot is responsible for pouring tea for others and for himself-the order of pouring tea is according to age, from the oldest to the youngest, and finally for himself. When someone pours tea for you, it is polite to tap on the table with your fingers, which is to show your gratitude and respect to the tea pourer.

2.2 Western table culture

There are four or five categories on the western menu, namely appetizers, soups, salads, seafood, snacks and so on. The main course should be decided first. If the main course is fish and the appetizer is meat, the taste is more diverse. The first course of western food is the first course, also called appetizer. The contents of appetizers are generally divided into cold dishes and hot dishes. The taste is mainly salty and sour, with little quantity and high quality. Different from Chinese food, the second course of western food is soup. It can be roughly divided into clear soup, cream soup, vegetable soup and cold soup. Fish dishes are generally considered as the third course of western food, also called side dishes. Aquatic vegetables and eggs, bread and crispy box vegetables are usually called side dishes. Meat and poultry dishes are the fourth course of western food, also known as the main course. The most representative is beef or steak. Vegetarian dishes can be arranged after or at the same time as meat dishes, so they can be regarded as a dish or a side dish. Vegetables are called salads in western food. The dessert of western food is eaten after the main course, which can be regarded as the sixth course. Including all the food after the main course, such as pudding, ice cream, cheese, fruit and so on. The last course of western food is to provide drinks, coffee or tea.

When using a knife and fork, take it from the outside to the inside. Hold a fork in your left hand and a knife in your right. When cutting things, the left hand holds the fork to hold the food, the right hand cuts it into small pieces and sends it to the mouth with the fork. When using a knife, the blade should not face outwards. When you need to have a rest in the middle of a meal, you can put down your knife and fork and put it in the center of the plate in a figure of eight, indicating that you haven't finished eating yet and you have to continue eating. After eating a dish, put the knife and fork side by side on the plate, which means that you have finished eating and you can take the dish or plate away. If you are talking, you can hold a knife and fork, don't put it down, but don't wave it. When you don't use a knife, you can hold a fork in your right hand, but when you need to gesture, you should put down your knife and fork, never wave it in the air, don't wipe your mouth with a napkin in one hand, and don't hold a cup with a fork in the other. Never put one end of the knife and fork on the plate and the other end on the table at any time.

Don't wear makeup on the dining table. Wipe your nose with a napkin. Burping while eating is a taboo. When you take food, you can ask others to hand you food that you can't get. Don't stand up. Don't send too much food to your mouth at once, and don't talk while chewing. Don't wolf down your food. You should also put some food you don't want to eat on the plate to show politeness. You shouldn't leave your seat while eating. If you really need to leave, you should whisper hello to the guests around you. When drinking and toasting, even if you don't drink, you should touch the mouth of the cup on your lips to show your respect. When someone pours you wine, if you don't need it, you can simply say "no, thank you!" " "Or gently cover the cup with your hand to show your refusal.

2.3 Table of Cultural Differences between China and the West

Some people say that the core of China's cultural thought is "group consciousness", while the core of western culture is "individual consciousness". Therefore, even if westerners invite guests to dinner, they will order their own food and drink their own wine without imposing their will on others. China culture holds that individual will must obey collective will. Since its purpose is to care for human feelings and blood, its behavior is etiquette, and more importantly, it thinks of harmony. Therefore, people in China like to have dinner, enjoy delicious food and make peace.

① Two different dietary concepts

Compared with China's diet which pays attention to "taste", the west is an ideal concept of diet. This rationality makes it develop by leaps and bounds in natural science, psychology and methodology, but it greatly hinders the development of food culture, for example. Western food pays attention to nutrition, dish collocation, tableware and service, but all kinds of raw materials are irrelevant in taste, each with its own flavor and relatively single.

In China's cooking, the pursuit of delicacy has almost reached the extreme. This is also the main reason why Chinese food is so popular all over the world. Unfortunately, when we regard the pursuit of food as the first demand, we ignore the most fundamental nutritional value of food. The second half of "nominally food is the sky" is "food takes taste first". It is this pursuit of delicacy that makes malnutrition a rich dialectical thought in China's philosophy. Everything depends on the beauty and harmony of food taste, which determines the richness and diversity of food in China and the characteristics of cooking in China.

② Different dietary patterns.

There are great differences between Chinese and western food styles, which also have an impact on celebrities' personalities.

In China, any banquet, no matter what festival, will only have one form, that is, everyone will sit together and enjoy a seat. Banquets should use round tables to create a United, polite and interesting atmosphere in form. Food is placed in the center of a table, which is not only the object of appreciation and tasting, but also the medium of emotional communication. Although this kind of diet has obvious shortcomings from the perspective of hygiene, it conforms to the universal mentality of "happy reunion" of our nation, embodies the influence of the category of "harmony" in China's classical philosophy on later generations, and is conducive to collective emotional communication, so it is difficult to reform so far.

Although food and wine are very important at western-style banquets, they are actually used as foil. The core of the banquet is friendship, which is realized by talking to the guests next door. The more obvious difference from China's diet is the popular buffet in the west, which facilitates the emotional communication between individuals, and does not need to put all the words on the table, which also reflects the respect of westerners for individuality and self. But each eats his own food, does not interfere with each other, and lacks some China people's mood of chatting and having fun.

③ Differences in table language.

Please pay attention to the cultural differences between China and the West when inviting guests to dinner, otherwise it will cause jokes.

The people of China are hospitable. When they invite guests to dinner, they usually fill the table with dishes, but no matter how rich the dishes are, they always humbly say, "There is nothing to eat. If the dishes are not ready, just eat." However, when British and American people hear such polite words, they will feel very disgusted: "Why invite me when there is nothing to eat?" If the food is not cooked, why should it be served to me? "According to the custom in China, in order to show politeness, it is customary to repeatedly persuade guests to eat more, while people in China often" insinuate "and say," I'm full, no need. "

However, British and American people are generally not so particular about entertaining guests. Three or four simple dishes are enough. When eating, the general host will say, "Help yourself!" It is very impolite for British and American people to respect personal wishes when entertaining guests, and pay attention to repeatedly asking guests if they want food, or forcing food on them. So, when the host adds food to you or asks you what you want, if you want to eat, you can directly answer yes. When dining, guests must praise the delicious food prepared by the host and the good craftsmanship of the host, otherwise the host will not be happy if you are full.

3. Conclusion

Therefore, the cultural differences between Chinese and western dining tables are, in the final analysis, the differences between sensibility and rationality. Culture promotes the formation of diet, which reflects the cultures of various countries. However, this difference seems to be blurred with the development of science and the communication of the world. Chinese and western dining table cultures influence and combine with each other, making it more perfect and scientific.