During the Opium War, businessmen from all over the world entered China, bringing chefs and their own various hometown delicacies. At this time, western cooking techniques were gradually introduced into China, and later some restaurants were opened. Chilin in Tianjin was built (190 1), and it is also the earliest western restaurant in China. After the Opium War, western cooking techniques were gradually introduced into China (1840-6550). The original origin of knives and forks, one of the western food cultures, is related to the living habits of ancient European nomads. They immediately live with knives and often cook and cut the meat to eat. Later, after moving towards settled life, animal husbandry dominated Europe, and bread and the like were all non-staple foods, which were directly taken by hand. The staple food is beef and mutton, which is cut with a knife and sent to import. After settling in the city, knives and forks enter the family kitchen, so you don't have to carry them with you. It is not difficult to see that knives and chopsticks, as the main tableware in the west today, have completely different identities. They can be used to slaughter, dissect and cut the meat of cattle and sheep, and can also be used as tableware when cooking and eating. Around the15th century, in order to improve the posture of eating, Europeans used double sharp forks. It's unsightly to put food in your mouth with a knife, but it's more elegant to put meat in your mouth with a fork. Forks are strictly tableware, but the weakness of forks is that they can't be cut in front with a knife, so both are indispensable. It was not until the end of 17 that the British upper class began to use the three-pointed fork, and it was not until 18 century that the four-pointed fork appeared. So westerners have only used knives and forks for four or five hundred years. Knife, fork and chopsticks not only bring about differences in eating habits, but also affect the concept of life of eastern and western people. Professor You believes that knives and forks will inevitably lead to the sharing system, and chopsticks will definitely be matched into family members sitting around the table to eat together. The west divided itself into two from the beginning, which led to the idea and habit that westerners pay attention to independence and children will enter the world independently when they grow up. The dining system brought by chopsticks highlights the family unit where the old and the young sit together, thus giving orientals a relatively strong family concept. Although we can't simply correspond the formation of different traditions with the differences of tableware, there is no doubt that they adapt to and contribute to this differentiation. Chopsticks are a symbol of cultural tradition. China people still use chopsticks when they go to Europe and America. Culture is deeply rooted, and foreigners learn to use chopsticks in China, and they still have to pick up knives and forks when they return to their own countries. The etiquette of western food ranges from complex to simple. The world famous chef Mary Anthony once said, "Cooking is the unknown pioneer of civilization". As an important part of western etiquette, the development and evolution of catering etiquette also reflects the changes of western etiquette concepts. This is mainly manifested in the simplification and liberalization of meals and drinks. For a long time, the dominant position of western food in European countries and its subsequent influence on all parts of the world are self-evident. However, is western etiquette traditional and unchangeable? Of course not. In the Middle Ages, especially in the17th century, the etiquette of western food, mainly French food, was very formal before the middle of the 20th century. Especially in formal western-style banquets, it is necessary to respectfully observe this orderly and well-behaved etiquette, such as the correct use of knives and forks, napkins can only be used to wipe oil stains on your mouth or fingers. These are really complicated today. After the two world wars, with the change of social atmosphere and the improvement of economic living standards, etiquette culture gradually developed to popularization and secularization. As far as western food is concerned, the etiquette of formal western food banquets in modern novels has become more and more simplified. In addition, the innovative atmosphere of Americans in many fields after the war had a great influence on the western world. Compared with the formality and seriousness of European western food, Americans are more casual. For example, at a formal western banquet, Americans try to hold a knife or fork with one hand and put the other hand on their knees. After you fork the potato chips with your right hand, when you need to cut the meat, put the fork aside, cut with a knife in your right hand, put down the knife after cutting, and fork the meat with your right hand; When you need a drink, put down your knife and fork, or take the drink with your right hand-in this way, it was not allowed to use the same hand repeatedly in Europe before. Americans have simplified many manners in western food, and these simplified manners have been more accepted by the younger generation. The etiquette of drinking drinks is also much simpler than before World War II. In the past, simple and formal drinking became diversified and liberalized. In France, Portugal and other western countries, drinking was very particular. What kind of wine to drink with what kind of food, what kind of wine to drink on what occasions, there are fixed customs and pay attention to. Now these customs and habits are also less than in the past. However, simplification does not mean that you can not obey the dining etiquette. Especially in formal official occasions or banquets, observing etiquette is a reflection of a person's good cultivation, and it is also a respect for the people who attend the banquet together.