A Comparative Study of Differences Between Chinese and Western Food Cultures-.doc

a comparative study of differences between chinese and western food culturesabstract this paper centers on the different customs between chinese and western diet. we can see the difference between chinese and western cuisine from dietary pattern and the utensils. there are three aspects of the cultural differences between chinese and western diet: the concept of two different diets; the difference between chinese and western eating targets; the different ways of eating. chinese cuisine and western cuisine all emphasize nutrition of the food. everything is relative, cultural difference being no exception. culture, as the total pattern of human behavior and its products, oversteps geographical limits and historical conditions in many ways, and it is characterized by its strong penetration and fusibility. key words food cultures；differences；chinese；western countries；nutrition 1. introduction the main difference between chinese and western eating habits is that, in china, the dishes are placed on the table and everybody shares, but in the west, everyone has their own plate. if a chinese host is treating you, you will be prepared for a ton of food. chinese are very proud of their culture of food and will do their best to give you a taste of many different kinds of cuisine. among friends, they will just order enough for the people there. if they are taking somebody out for dinner and the relationship is polite to semi-polite, then they will usually order one more dish than the number of guests (e.g. four people, five dishes). if it is a business dinner or a very formal occasion, there is likely to be a huge amount of food that will be impossible to finish. a typical meal starts with some cold dishes, like boiled peanuts and smashed cucumber with garlic. the main courses, hot meat and vegetable dishes follow these. finally soup is brought out, which is followed by the starchy staple food, which is usually rice or noodles or sometimes dumplings. many chinese eat rice (or noodles or whatever), but if you like to have your rice together with other dishes, you should say so earlier on. the concept of western diet is a rational, scientific concept. they stress the nutritional value of food and emphasize protein, fat, calories and vitamins of food. they particularly care whether the collocation of nutrition and the supply of calories are appropriet. and these nutrients can be fully absorbed by people who eat the food. in the west, they emphasize how to keep the natural nutrition of food, but not pursuit the color, flavor and shape of the food. they have almost not linked diet to mental enjoyment. westerners think the diet is only a way of survival, but it adoptes a manner which is more scientific, standard and reasonable. this scientific and rational concept of diet is worthy to be used in china. 2. the different characters and history of chinese and western countries2.1. chinese traditional custom of eating organic foods is the main dietary practices. staple food is grain, vegetables are supplements, along with a small amount of meat. the main reason for the formation of the customs is that the area for agricultural production is regarded as the main area of economic production. but at different levels, food distribution ratio varies dramatically. so government officials said ancient people liked eating. in dietary pattern, chinese people have their own characteristics, which are feeding system. the feeding system originated from the ancient time. such ancient feeding custom has been passed on. feeding system for the long-term spread. chinese people pay their attention to the concept of the extended family of blood relatives and it is reflected in the dietary pattern. in utensils, the major characteristic of chinese eating custom is the use of chopsticks. in the ancient times chopsticks were called zhu, which has a long history in china. some books said: no chopsticks no meal. thus, at least since sang dynasty, people have been using chopsticks to eat. generally, chopsticks are made of bamboo. so we can use them conveniently. many europeans and american people see asians using chopsticks, and praise that for artistic creation. in fact, chopsticks are used in many eastern countries and this custom is from china. chinese ancestors invented chopsticks, which is a major contribution to human civilization.dish than the number of guests (e.g. four people, five dishes). if it is a business dinner or a very formal occasion, there is likely to be a huge amount of food that will be impossible to finish. a typical meal starts with some cold dishes, like boiled peanuts and smashed cucumber with garlic. the main courses, hot meat and vegetable dishes follow these. finally soup is brought out, which is followed by the starchy staple food, which is usually rice or noodles or sometimes dumplings. many chinese eat rice (or noodles or whatever), but if you like to have your rice together with other dishes, you should say so earlier on. the concept of western diet is a rational, scientific concept. they stress the nutritional value of food and emphasize protein, fat, calories and vitamins of food. they particularly care whether the collocation of nutrition and the supply of calories are appropriet. and these nutrients can be fully absorbed by people who eat the food. in the west, they emphasize how to keep the natural nutrition of food, but not pursuit the color, flavor and shape of the food. they have almost not linked diet to mental enjoyment. westerners think the diet is only a way of survival, but it adoptes a manner which is more scientific, standard and reasonable. this scientific and rational concept of diet is worthy to be used in china. 2. the different characters and history of chinese and western countries2.1. chinese traditional custom of eating organic foods is the main dietary practices. staple food is grain, vegetables are supplements, along with a small amount of meat. the main reason for the formation of the customs is that the area for agricultural production is regarded as the main area of economic production. but at different levels, food distribution ratio varies dramatically. so government officials said ancient people liked eating. in dietary pattern, chinese people have their own characteristics, which are feeding system. the feeding system originated from the ancient time. such ancient feeding custom has been passed on. feeding system for the long-term spread. chinese people pay their attention to the concept of the