Basic difference

Seating position

Chinese (side)

After the guests are seated, the guests are guided to the table, with the left as the top, which is regarded as the chief. There are two seats relative to the first seat, three seats below the first seat and four seats below the second seat.

the west

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

Serving order

Chinese soup, staple food, wine and fruit

Western food and soup, fruit, wine, staple food, dessert and coffee

tableware

Chinese: cups, plates, bowls, plates, chopsticks, spoons and so on.

West: knives, forks, spoons, plates, cups, etc. Knives are divided into edible knives, fish knives, meat knives, cream knives and fruit knives; Forks are divided into edible forks, fish forks and lobster forks. The specifications of public knives and forks are generally larger than those used. Spoons are divided into spoons, teaspoons, etc. There are more kinds of cups. Tea cups and coffee cups are made of porcelain, with saucers. Water cups and wine glasses are mostly glass products.

Means to stop eating.

Chinese: If you stop eating at a banquet, you can put chopsticks straight on a plate or spoon. If chopsticks are placed horizontally on the plate, it means that they are drunk and full and no longer eat.

Lucy: just take a look at the arrangement of knives and forks during the break. If you want to put down your knife and fork for a short rest in the middle of eating, you should put the knife and fork in the center of the plate in a figure of eight. If the knife and fork protrude out of the plate, it is not safe or beautiful. It is impolite to wave a knife and fork while talking. After eating, put the knife and fork at four o'clock.

clothing

Chinese (side)

In China, people can dress casually in restaurants, even T-shirts and jeans, and only wear something grand at important banquets.

the west

It is common sense in Europe and America to dress appropriately when eating. To go to high-end restaurants, men should wear neat tops and leather shoes; Ladies should wear suits and shoes with heels. If formal clothes are specified, men must wear ties. Don't wear casual clothes to eat in restaurants (even if it is expensive)

Seating method

Chinese: People are not so particular about their seats as in the West, and most of them sit according to their own wishes.

Sit on the left side of the chair. The most appropriate way to sit is to sit on the left side. When the chair is pulled away, the body will stand up straight at a distance almost touching the table, and the leader will push the chair in, and when the leg bends and touches the chair behind, you can sit down.

table napkin

Chinese: There are no napkins in traditional Chinese food. Only after the meal is over, use a warm wet towel to scrub it.

Lucy: napkins can be opened before meals. After ordering, open the napkin before the appetizer is delivered, fold it in by one third, and let two thirds spread flat on the legs to cover the legs above the knees. It's best not to stuff napkins into the neckline.

Method of drinking

Chinese: People who can drink should taste it politely before drinking. You can appreciate the color of the wine, smell the wine and taste it slowly. Don't show your magnanimity by raising your glass without looking, and then gulp it down, so that the wine flows down the corners of your mouth. You don't have to raise your little finger in a toast to show your elegant behavior. It is not advisable to smoke while drinking. In view of the easy gaffes and discourteous manners after drinking, the amount of alcohol consumed in foreign activities should be controlled below half of one's usual amount. Don't look at each other's hospitality or wine and food and get carried away. Educated drinkers will not let others hear the sound of swallowing when drinking, and should only pour 80% full.

Lucy: You can't suck soup. Scoop the soup from back to front with a spoon, and put the bottom of the spoon at the position of the lower lip to send the soup into the mouth. The angle between the spoon and the mouth is preferably 45. The upper part of the body leans forward slightly. There is not much soup left in the bowl, so you can raise the bowl slightly with your fingers. If the soup is packed in a bowl with a grip ring, you can directly hold the grip ring and drink it.

How to use tableware

Medium:

How to use chopsticks. First, the middle finger and the ring finger are placed under the two chopsticks, the thumb is pressed above the chopsticks, the index finger is close to the thumb, and the little finger bends inward. The opening and closing range of chopsticks can be adjusted by the activity of middle finger.

Lucy: 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 hand. If there are more than two handfuls, they should be taken from the outermost one in turn. The way to hold a knife and fork is to gently hold the tail end and press the index finger on the handle. The spoon can be taken by holding the pen. If you feel inconvenient, you can change your right hand to hold the fork, but it is rude to change it frequently. When eating large vegetables, you can fold and cut them with a knife and fork. Soft food can be placed on the fork plane and tidied up with a knife.

matters need attention

In addition, there are some small problems that should be paid attention to when dining:

Such as chopsticks: in the long-term life practice, people have also formed some etiquette taboos when using chopsticks:

Avoid knocking on chopsticks: that is, when waiting for dinner, you can't sit at the table and knock on the bowl lamp or teacup with a chopstick in one hand.

Second, avoid throwing chopsticks: when handing out chopsticks before meals, put them in pairs and then gently put them in front of everyone's table: when they are far apart, you can ask someone to pass them over, and you can't throw them on the table at will.

Don't fork chopsticks: chopsticks can't be placed horizontally and vertically next to the bowl, one with a big head and the other with a small head. Chopsticks should be placed next to the bowl, not on the bowl.

Avoid inserting chopsticks: when you need to leave temporarily during the meal, put chopsticks gently on the table or beside the plate, and don't insert them in the rice bowl.

Five no-waving chopsticks: When picking vegetables, you can't wave chopsticks around in the dish plate and turn them upside down. When others come to pick vegetables, you should pay attention to avoiding them and beware of "chopsticks fighting".

Six taboos on dancing chopsticks: when talking, don't use chopsticks as knives and dance around the table; Don't poke chopsticks in front of others when they are using vegetables. It is impolite to do so.