Chinese dining etiquette is one of the traditional cultures of the Chinese nation, which not only reflects the Chinese people's respect for food, but also demonstrates the unique charm of the Chinese nation. With the development and change of society, Chinese dining etiquette has undergone some changes. This paper will discuss the evolution of Chinese dining etiquette from both traditional norms and modern changes.

Traditional norms

In traditional Chinese dining etiquette, there are many standardized steps. First of all, before eating, the host will toast to the guests to express his respect and welcome to them. Then, the host will use chopsticks to pick up dishes and send them to the guest's bowl, which is a way to show goodwill. When the guest receives the dish, he should express his thanks and take some of the dish and put it in his own bowl. During the meal, one should maintain a civilized posture and refrain from making loud noises or laughing too loudly so as not to affect other people's dining experience. In addition, when a toast is offered, one should stand up to accept it, and after receiving the glass, one should clink the glasses and express gratitude. Finally, at the end of the meal, the host will make another toast to thank and bid farewell to the guests.

Modern Changes

With the progress of society and the change of life style, Chinese dining etiquette is also changing quietly. Modern people pay more attention to personal freedom and comfort, and some may not care much about some traditional norms. For example, when dining, modern people may be more inclined to use knives and forks rather than chopsticks, which is influenced by western dining culture. At the same time, modern people also pay more attention to efficiency and convenience when dining, and may be more inclined to use fast food or take-out rather than traditional restaurant dining. In addition, modern people also live at a faster pace and may have shorter meal times, no longer taking their time to enjoy themselves as they traditionally did. Nonetheless, the core values of Chinese dining etiquette remain, namely respect for food and others.

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