Due to cultural and historical differences, the etiquette of Chinese and foreign banquets is bound to be different. The following is what I collected for you. I hope I can help you!

Differences in dietary content

Westerners mostly eat meat and dairy products, such as beef, chicken, pork, mutton, fish, milk, cream, cheese and so on. While vegetables and fruits are used as supplementary food or ingredients. China has been dominated by agricultural civilization since ancient times. In terms of diet content, food crops are the main food, supplemented by vegetables and a small amount of meat. Plant dishes occupy a dominant position in the diet structure. According to a survey by botanists, China people eat more than 600 kinds of vegetables, six times more than westerners.

Differences in tableware

Because China has been influenced by farming culture for a long time, he likes a peaceful and stable life, opposes aggression and likes to eat hot food. Therefore, people in China adopt the dinner system, and they can only use tableware with slow heat conduction, and they are very gentle and gentle when using chopsticks, with few indecent movements, and treat food very gently. On the contrary, due to the influence of hunting culture, western countries like competitive, adventurous and practical meat, so they must use sharp tableware such as knives and forks.

Differences in seating arrangements

Traditional formal banquets in China use round tables. Because of the way Chinese food is served, the round table can better take care of everyone's food. In terms of seating, the general host will sit opposite the door in order to see the guests ready for reception in time. Usually, the most important guests are arranged on the host's left, the second most important guests are arranged on the host's right, and so on. On the contrary, in the west, because there are not many kinds of dishes, long tables are often used, and everyone has the same dishes in front of them. In terms of seating, male and female hosts usually sit at both ends of a long table, with the male host facing the end of the gate or private room and the female host facing the end of the door. The first seat on the right hand side of the male host is female guest No.1, and the first seat on the left hand side is male guest No.2; The first seat on the right hand side of the hostess is the first male guest, the first seat on the left hand side is the second female guest, and so on. Sitting alternately between men and women can ensure that the opposite side must be the opposite sex when eating, and the left and right sides are also the opposite sex.

Difference in attendance time

When attending a banquet, due to the huge differences between Chinese and western cultural patterns, the differences between Chinese and western people in attendance time are also more prominent. In China banquet, the diversification of time makes guests more inclined to be "late", often arriving half an hour later than the specified time. Both the host and the guests are used to this phenomenon of "being late", and the invitation of the host is not considered as a contemptuous or impolite behavior. In western countries, all kinds of activities will start according to the scheduled time, and the banquet requires the participants to arrive on time, otherwise it will be considered impolite and a great disrespect to the host and other guests.

Differences in dining etiquette

The dining etiquette of Chinese food embodies the spirit of "concession" and "harmony". In China, people like to eat together, and the dishes are put on the same plate, so when the banquet begins, everyone will wait for the host. Only when the host asks everyone to use their mouths will the party begin, that is, guests can help themselves. The host usually gives the guest a dish first, so that he can use it first. When a new dish is served, please pay tribute to the host, guests and elders first. The host should also entertain the guests well, help them with food from time to time, ask their needs, and persuade them to drink well and eat well.

Western dining etiquette conveys a spirit of "beauty". Westerners are used to ordering different dishes. Even if everyone eats the same dish, people will use public tableware to put the dish in the bowl. When eating in a restaurant, people think it is a public place, so during the whole meal, people should talk to each other quietly, not loudly. And at the banquet, you should not only dress neatly, but also wear formal clothes and sit in a dignified manner. Secondly, you can't make unpleasant sounds when eating.

In a word, studying the differences of banquet etiquette between Chinese and western food cultures can help us better understand the characteristics of western banquet food and sum up the characteristics of our own banquet food, so as to learn from each other's strong points, absorb all advanced concepts, discard the dross in our culture and improve our food quality. China's diet should actively absorb the reasonable side of western diet, so as to achieve a reasonable diet structure and balanced nutrition.

Chinese banquet

A state banquet is a national celebration held by the head of state or * * *. The banquet was hosted by the host, the national flag was hung in the banquet hall, and the band played the national anthem after the guests and hosts were seated. During the dinner, the host and guest made speeches or toasts and played music. The state banquet has two characteristics: first, it pays attention to ostentation and extravagance, and has certain regulations on the admission ceremony of attendees and the dress of guests to show its grandeur; Secondly, there are strict regulations on the layout of the banquet hall, the quantity and variety of dishes and the manners of service personnel.

Apart from not hanging the national flag and playing the national anthem, a formal banquet is basically the same as a state banquet. The host and guests are seated according to their identities. If it is a western banquet, the aperitif is usually before and after the meal. Commonly used aperitifs include Sydney, martini and scotch whisky. And supply beer, mineral water, fruit juice and other soft drinks. After-dinner wine usually includes brandy. Before and after meals, wine is usually drunk in another hall, and you can talk freely.

Buffet, also known as buffet, is one of the most common forms of reception. It is characterized by no seats. The dishes are mainly cold dishes and hot dishes, which are put on the table together with tableware for guests to help themselves. Cold meals are usually held indoors, in the yard or in the garden. You can sit at will with tables and chairs, or you can eat standing without seats. Generally, the holding time is 12 from noon to 2 pm or from 5 pm to 7 pm. This form is often used in official business activities to entertain a large number of guests.

CocktailParty, also known as cocktail party, is usually a reception held before and after celebrating various festivals, welcoming delegations and various large-scale international events such as opening and closing ceremonies. The cocktail party is mainly drinks, with snacks such as desserts and sausages. The form is lively and simple. Without seats, guests can walk around and talk at will. The holding time is also flexible, noon, afternoon and evening. Guests are free to come in and out.

Dinner can be divided into formal black tie dinner and informal dinner. The formal dinner is mainly to celebrate. It is usually arranged after 8 pm in western countries, and it starts at 6 pm or 7 pm in China. Seats should be arranged for formal dinner, and the dress code should be indicated on the invitation; During the dinner, there are speeches or toasts, sometimes accompanied by small bands. An informal dinner is suitable for friends and relatives. This kind of banquet is simple in form and friendly in atmosphere. You don't need to pay too much attention to the arrangement of clothes, seats and tableware, but it is also different from ordinary family dinners. We should still pay attention to table manners. Dinner parties in western countries generally require couples to attend at the same time. If you receive an invitation, you need to read it carefully and make sure whether there is a person accompanying you, whether it is husband and wife. When replying to the invitation, be sure to tell the host the name of the person who attended the dinner party.

A working meal is an informal banquet. According to the meal time, it is divided into working breakfast, working lunch and working dinner. Diners chat while eating with * * * at the same time. Generally, only work-related personnel are invited to participate.

Tea party is a relatively simple form of entertainment, usually held in the morning 10 or around 4 pm, usually in the living room, conference room and other places. There are coffee tables and seats in the hall, but there are no seats. If it's a VIP activity, arrange for the guest of honor to sit with the host, and others to sit casually. Tea party is mainly for entertainment and tea tasting, so the choice of tea and tea set is more particular. Ceramic tea sets are generally used instead of glasses and thermos bottles. Snacks and snacks can be prepared at the tea party, but they should be convenient to eat. Coffee can also be used as the main drink.

Family dinner is a casual dinner for guests at home. Westerners like to adopt this form. As a sign of friendliness and friendship. Family dinners are usually cooked by housewives themselves to entertain family members.