Analysis on the Cultural Differences between Chinese and Western Table EtiquetteContentsI Introduction .11.1 Purpose of the Thesis.11.2 Significance of the Thesis.11.3 Overview of Table Etiquette in China and Western Countries .21.3.1 Overview of Table Etiquette in China .21.3.2 Overview of Table Etiquette in Western Countries.3II literature Review.42.1 Chinese Cooking Culture.42.2 Western Cooking Culture.52.3 Relevant Studies at Home and Abroad.5III Differences between Chinese and Western Table Etiquette.73.1 Difference on Tableware .73.2 Difference on Order of Serving.73.3 Difference on Atmosphere.83.4 Difference on Sense of Time.83.5 Difference on Seating Arrangement.93.6 Difference on Eating Rules.10IV Reasons for differences between Chinese and Western Table Etiquette.114.1 Different Cultural Value.114.1.1 The Collectivism in Chinese.114.1.2 The Individualism in Western Countries .124.2 Different Cultural Connotation.124.3 Different Modes of Thinking.134.4 Different Concept of Face .144.5 Different Religions .15V Conclusion.16References.17I IntroductionWith the development of global economy, cross-culture communication has become more and more frequent, and the differences between Chinese and western culture have become more obvious, especially the differences of table etiquette. Different cultures have different norms of table etiquette which is an important way to run a good communication with other countries with different cultural background. No matter in China or Western countries, people thinks food as an essential prerequisite for human being existence. But people from different cultural background may have distinct food culture which can be showed obviously on table. So searching their different table etiquette is a direct and effective way to know cultures communicate with other people. Thus, this thesis will analyze some obvious differences on table etiquette in China and Western countries. It is necessary to analyze the cultural differences and their rooted causes in Chinese and Western from the perspective of table etiquette and the reasons for them. 1.1 Purpose of the ThesisA difference between china and western countries on table etiquette is a very important subject of study in modern culture. It plays a crucial position in the process of history development of material culture. Because of different natural environment, historical background and national cultures in China and western countries formed unique food cultures. So the analysis of the cultural differences on table etiquettes between China and western countries is necessary for the study of Chinese and Western cultures. 1.2 Significance of the ThesisIn todays world, especially when the market economy is blooming; cultural communication is becoming more and closer. Mutual cooperation between different cultures is under its way silently. Various table etiquettes will also mix together because of culture collision. Thus，they will be understood and accepted by more and more people，which is beneficial to their development and our life as well. Along with the development of the open policy, it is common to communicate with foreigners，but the communication between different countries is not so easy. As more and more joint ventures have been established in china, competitions between these companies become more and more intensively, so step up the serve become very important. People must ensure the correct manner when they affiliate with foreigners. We all know table manner is unavoidable during the communication, more and more companies focus on the etiquette training. This Thesis can lead people to know the difference between Chinese and Western table etiquette deeply, and it directs them take graceful table manners to have dinner with foreigners. 1.3 Overview of Table Etiquette in China and Western Countries Overview of Table Etiquette in China There are many eating manners that one must pay attention to which date from the time of ancient China, such as how to sit in a banquet or the placing of the cutlery, and so on. Etiquette governs nearly every action at the table. Some rules were out of courtesy and identity, and were called by ancient Chinese “respect for manners”; some others were traditional; and some only concerned the behaviors of certain groups of people (especially women) and were actually not necessary. Whatever their origin, these rules show ancient Chinas dietary habits and food culture, and some of them are still followed in modern Chinese life. Compliance with these rules sometimes signals a persons status, culture, and family education to others. Because the custom of using banquets to solve problems in business, for friendship, and even in officialdom by the Chinese people, ones should pay great attention to the manners by the table and especially to the Chinese eating taboos.Eating is a dominant aspect of Chinese culture, and in China, eating out is one of the most accepted ways to honor guests. Similar to Wester