8 浅析中西方礼仪文化的差异

Reflections on the Etiquette Cultural Differencesbetween China and the WestAbstract: Etiquette is the sublimation of human communication behavior. It not only strengthens the peoples relationships and enhances the harmony of our community, but also reflects the soul of a nation and culture detail. However, because of different belief, values, national psychology and other factors, there are many etiquette cultural differences between Chinese and western countries. Being informed of the etiquette cultural differences between Chinese and Westerners, contributes to the better integration into the international exchanges and adapting to the global integration process for the contemporary China. In this way, China can develop itself more effectively. This article researches on some etiquette cultural differences, and then analyzes the causes of them, finally, finds out the solution to the problems aroused by the conflict of the two cultures.Key words: etiquette, cultural difference, integration浅析中西方礼仪文化的差异摘要：礼仪是人类交际行为的升华。它不仅巩固了人与人之间的关系，增进了社会的和谐性，而且反映了一个民族的灵魂和文化底蕴。但因受到信仰、价值观、民族心理等因素的影响，中西方国家在礼仪文化方面存在着许多的差异。掌握中西方礼仪文化的差异，有助于当代中国更好的融入国际交往，适应全球一体化进程，从而更好地发展自己。本文重点通过研究中西方礼仪文化的某些差别，进而找到其原因，并分析出解决差异所引发出的问题的方法。关键词：礼仪；文化差异；融合Contents1. Introduction .12. Differences between China and Western Countries on Etiquettes .12.1Greeting.12.2 Meeting.22.3 Thanks and Responses.32.4 Banquet .43.The causes of the etiquette cultural differences.53.1.Cultural Background.53.2.Different values.64. The conflict of the two cultures and the inevitable fact that the cultural difference has impact on China. .75. Some solutions to the different etiquettes between Chinese and western countries. 76.Conclusion.87. References. . 98.Acknowledgements.101. IntroductionEtiquette as the rules of the interaction among people is a language tool. The difference of the religious belief, which is a major source of etiquette, has made people around the world comply with different rituals on the basis of their own belief. Chinese etiquette, started in the dynasties of Xia, Shang, Zhou, and was prevail in the dynasties of Tang and Song. Through constant developments and changes, it has been evolving as a system. Western society, as the successor of several ancient civilizations, has been echoing the oriental country for years. After the dark Ages, it eventually ushered the Renaissance, and gave birth to capitalism and modern civilization, produced modern technology and culture. In the wave of the Opening Up and Reform, transnational communication is getting more and more intensive, so is the etiquette cultural differences between China and the West, which is significant at the same time. As the Chinese and Western etiquette has not merged perfectly yet, we are bound to know some of the Sino-Western cultural differences.2. Differences between China and Western Countries on Etiquettes2.1. GreetingPeople tend to exchange greetings when they meet each other and this habit is a ritual -acts shared all around the world. This American sociologist Erving Goffman held that greetings are the symbol and identification of communication(Larry A. Samovar, Richard. E. Porter, Lisa A. Stefani 11-12). According to his observation upon American society and his afterward understanding, greetings embody politeness, identity or status, as well as the equal inter-relations. British anthropologist J. R. Firth said that greetings are bound to confirm whether the communicative activities are practical or not. It plays the important role in setting up and continuing human relationships(Larry A. Samovar, Richard. E. Porter, Lisa A. Stefani 13). Because of this, people greet each other when they come across or meet their acquaintances, no matter what the location or occasion is. The reason is they aim to cherish the interactions and hope to maintain and strengthen the existing or newly established relationships. The impact of cultural differences is an important factor influencing greetings. With the different languages, different cultural customs, greetings will also have different forms of expression. Some Chinese greetings sometimes tend to make the new coming foreigners indeed baffling and feel unbelievable. Chinese ordinary people meet with acquaintances often with their casual word, such as “what have you done?”, or Have you eaten?, or “Where are you going?” etc. Such greetings are extremely common and casual for Chinese. While the westerners are quite at lose while listening to these word. Because they do not know this is a quite standard way of greeting of Chinese. In an April of a year in the 80s in Shandong province, the International Kite Festival was held in Tang Square. An interpreter accompanied several foreign journalists to have an interview with a local kite artist Kite Yang. According to the interpreter: when they got into the yard of Yang, the man ushered them with a word ” Have you eaten?” The translator Translated literally, and the foreign guest was getting perplexed, they looked at the watch again and again and gave a confused glance at the interpreter. It was just 3:00 and there were no banquet arrangements, a silly appearance turned out on their faces. The word of Yang was so inexplicable that they didnt know how to deal with the embarrassed situation (杜学曾 58-59). There was nothing wrong for both of the two parts but misunderstanding was aroused due to different greeting custom. Westerners begin their conversation by talking the weather rather than talking about the listeners private events. Chinese also talk about weather, but it is the topic rather than a warming-up at the beginning of a conversation.In everyday greetings Chinese people use Have you eaten?, or “Where are you going?” etc. It shows the intimacy between people in China. However, for Westerners, this kind of word may make people feel out of surprise, embarrassed or even unpleasant. Because people in the West find this “greetings” as offensive as its a type of interrogations. An instinctive awareness comes to them that this Asian is attempting to survey their personal affairs. In simpler ways, they opt to say “Hello” to each other, or in terms of time, they greet by using “Good morning, Good afternoon and Good evening”. And that is the most reasonable way to greet people in their mind.2.2 Meeting“Greetings are a courtesy for meeting, but it is a kind of language behavior. When people meet, in addition to exchanging greetings, they also use some other body language such as Chinese bow, Britain and the United States and other Western countries embracing, kissing face, shaking hands as a world prevailing way and so on. There is all the necessity for meeting as ritual behavior, which draws peoples attention and requires them to follow” (钱清69-70).Bowing originated in China, which means bending over to salute people, to pay tribute to others. Before it is put into action, one should take off his hat, and stand straightly with eyes looking into the receivers. Then he bows with the upper body bending downward about 90 degrees, and then the body recovers to straight position. If this movement is repeated for 3 times, it conveys the highest respect to the receiver. The other is one-time-bow. While undergoing this, the upper part of the body dumps about 15 degrees, then recover, only one bow is needed for this ceremonial. The former is the salute beyond all others. But its application is limited to a few occasions, mainly for weddings and other large marriage ceremonies or occasions. The majority of the towns and villages in our country use this etiquette at the wedding ceremonies, where the bride and groom carry out three-time-bow courtesy. In addition, when we take part in condoling halls, memorial services, funeral ceremonies or give a wreath, we adopt three-time-bow to the death or the coffin in order to convey our tribute and sadness. One-time-bow covers broader scope of application, mainly used for social occasions, such as the lower level to the higher level, students to teachers, the younger generation to their elders, and even between the same generations to express sincere respect. The receiver should immediately bow afterward in return. Although one-time-bow is used as social general courtesy, the embodiment changes with the angles changes. 90-degree bow, of course, it is an expression of deep respect. In western countries, they also bow to express their respect. But Westerners do not carry out three-time-bow, nor the lower to the higher authorities, the younger generation to elders, the students to the teachers. Under normal circumstances, they bow in a very natural way, and they stoop very slightly, not more than 15 degrees of the body position.Embrace serves as foreign courtesy, originated in Europe and the United States, Eastern European and Arab countries. This custom is more serious, practical, which is especially prevalent on the occasion when men welcome the guests, and congratulate or express appreciation to others. Implementation of hugging etiquette requires the two people to speak face to face, their right arms put high, their left arms droopy, right hands on each others left shoulder, left hand held on each others right lower back. According to their positions, the two peoples heads and upper bodies first recline upon each other to the right side, and then turn to the left. Embrace as a ritual is used very limited in China. We often see leaders of our country receive foreign guests. Sometimes they embrace the foreign guests, but in most cases the initiative is taken by the foreign guests and the masters follow suit. Chinese are relatively subtle and shy. They are more willing to shake hands or bow to welcome their guests. Of course, embrace is used as the expression of intimate feelings with near ones, such as husband and wife, parents and young children. Adult heterosexual embrace often happens in secret. Except for the above, Chinese seldom embrace(杜学曾 36-37).2.3 Thanks and Responses“Thank you” is widely used in English to show gratitude in such cases as being invited, helped, given a gift, etc. Cultural differences exist between Chinese and western in how to express thanks and responses. In fact, “Thank you” is uttered in English for more than acknowledging favor or gratitude, and it is often a means to show politeness. On many occasions, the English use this utterance while the Chinese may say “Thank you” or do not say a word at all but just smile or nod. As a matter of fact, “Thank you ” is used more widely by westerners than Chinese, for minor favors like borrowing pencil , asking directions, requesting someone to pass on a message , receiving a telephone, etc. “Thank you” not only shows politeness but also carries a persons grateful feeling for those who offer help. Without using expressions of gratitude, misunderstandings may arise because the help seems to be taken for granted and is not appreciated. For westerners, each person is an equal individual, whether he is a family member of not. In Chinese, “Thank you” is not frequently used between intimate friends and family members because it may imply a certain distance between the addresser and the addressee. Native speakers may respond to “Thank you” by saying : “ You are welcome” , or “ Its a /my pleasure” “ Not at all” or “ Dont mention it” “ Thats all right”. While Chinese people may say: he did it only because it was his duty, which may convey to westerners the message that the Chinese did not really want to do it, or that message is quite different from what the Chinese speaker intended to express( 金正昆 19-20). To compliment is to praise the addressees virtues, ability, behavior, appearance, clothing, personality and belongs. Appropriate compliments can serve as effective supplementary means in inter-personal communication. Western and Chinese culture are at polar opposites about compliment. A western hostess, if she is complimented for her cooking skill, is likely to say,” Oh, I am so glad that you liked it. I cook it especially for you.” Not so is a Chinese hostess, who will instead apologize for giving you “Nothing”. They will say “I just made some dishes casually and they are not very tasty. “Perhaps the foreigner will think why you invite me to your family and have some unpalatable food. You dont respect me. The English-speaking people are more active to praise others and to be praised than Chinese people. For example, the American are “straightforward”, the Chinese take pride in “modesty”. That modesty has left many a Chinese hungry at an Americans table, for Chinese politeness calls for three refusals before one accepts an offer and the Americans hosts take ”no ” to mean “no ”, whether it is the first, second or third time. There are till bigger differences existing in peoples attitude compliments, i.e., in the response to compliments. Chinese tend to efface themselves in words or refuse it, although they do feel comfortable about the compliments. So many westerners simply feel puzzled or even upset when their Chinese friends refused their compliments. The Chinese people are not intending to be modest with the sacrifice of friendship in so doing, but it is rather due to the traditional Chinese philosophy, that of modesty. The Chinese people regard modesty as a most valuable virtue, so they seldom agree to thecompliment.2.4. Banquet Banquet etiquette in China and the West differ very greatly. This kind of difference is also influential to the national characteristics. In China, banquet, no matter what purpose is, one kind of form is adopted, that is everybody sits in a circle, shares food. Round tables are the preference in the banquet. Formally this creates an air of unity, politeness and harmony. The delicacies are put on the tables center, which is not only the object which people around the table appreciate and enjoy, but also the media for people to express emotions to each other. People propose a toast, offer food to their guests, and ask each to eat more food. In the happy atmosphere, they embody moral excellence by showing respects, giving precedence to others out of courtesy. Although from the hygienic angle, this kind of diet way has some obvious deficiency, it conforms to our national traditional point of view of the happy ending and reflects the influence to the descendant thoughts created by the Chinese classical philosophy. It is also advantageous for the collective to convey emotions. Thus until now reforms are difficult to carry out. On western-style banquets, although food and liquor count for much, in fact they are no more than a foil. The core of banquets lies in the relationships. Through the conversation with the adjacent seat, the goal of establishing friendship is achieved. “If we compare them to dance, it is safely to say, the Chinese type banquet is just like a group dance, while the western-style banquet is like mens and womens social dancing” (王志艳 103). Thus goals of friendship of the Chinese type banquet and the western-style banquet is all very obvious, the only difference is that Chinese-style banquet pay more attention to all the people present while the western-style banquet emphasize the relationships between the neighboring guests. The more distinct difference is buffet. People will not need to fix on the seat eating, and take a walk as freely as they like. This way of banquet is advantageous for the people to communicate freely. It respects individual and personality. But eating respectively without harassing each other lacks some fun of chatting together that happens on the Chinese banquet table. Therefore, the inner difference is perceptual and rational. More and more Chinese no longer only pay attention to the color, the fragrance, the taste of the feast, but also its nutrition. It is especially true after China experienced Sars and bird-flu. Meanwhile, because of the increasingly busy work, Chinese people start to think their meal is too troublesome, which is even inferior to a hamburger and so on. Then the differences are not as distinct as before.Apart from the above differences, there are also a lot of etiquette cultural differences between China and the West, such as differences on introduction, visiting, invitation and responses, giving a gift, taboo and so on.3. The causes of the etiquette cultural differences.3.1. Cultural Background One of the reasons causing etiquette cultural differences between China and western is cultural background. “In spring and autumn and warring periods of China emerged Confucianism, Taoism and other ideologies. As different ideologies developed and combated each other, the basic framework of Chinese civilization was established. And then Confucianism became the foundation stone of Chinese philosophy system” (杜芳志 唐朝阔56). Confucianisms central doctrine is that of the virtue of Ren. What is Ren? Ren is translated variously as goodness, benevolence, humanity and human-heartedness. In short, Ren means affection and love. For more than 2 thousand years it has molded and shaped the civilization of China and exerted a profound influence upon almost one fourth of human race. “Therefore the old morals of loyalty and piety, affection, and love, faithfulness and righteousness, are superior to those of the foreign countries. Let alone that peace and harmony. These high standards of morals are our national spirit (Yu Chunchi 68).Different from China, Christianity plays an important role in the West. The English speaking countries are gener