1、精品文檔Differences between Chinese and Western Food Culture【Abstract】 In this paper, we expound the differences between China and the Western countries in the concept, content and ways of food. By analyzing the reasons, we can make people aware the cultural differences between China and Western countri

2、es, so as to avoid misunderstanding and embarrassment in cross-cultural communication and learn from each other in our daily life.【Key words】 Chinese food culture; Western food culture; Differences China is one of the oldest countries in the world, which has a long history of 5000 years, creating nu

3、merous splendid civilizations, especially its food culture. As time goes by, the four major Chinese cuisines has gradually formed and developed its own system in the regional difference of the vast territory. On behalf of the Western culture, Europe also has a long history. In the middle Ages, Europ

4、ean culture has been well-established; the Western food culture has basically taken shape. Although both China and the western countries have a long history, their food culture is strikingly different, whether in concept, ways of diet and cooking methods or in dining etiquette.With the development o

5、f science and technology, nowadays the world has shrunk as a global village and the human culture is fusing in the process of collision. Our research and analysis on the food culture of China and the western countries -the concentration of the crystallization of human culture, which will contribute

6、to the integration and unity of the world culture and help people to understand and adapt to each other. The different aspects of Chinese and Western food culture 1 The differences between Chinese and Western food conceptsThe Chinese food concept tends to emotional eating. Chinese people attach grea

7、t importance to eating and also maximize the function of it, food is not only used to maintain our survival, but also use it to remain healthy. At the same time, countless outstanding cooks strive for perfection and taste, so as to start a tireless pursuit. But the delicacy productions lie in distri

8、bution, making the food flavor through heating in addition to the ingredients and the supplementary material as well as the seasoning, each kind of flavor is indispensable, interweaving the integration of coordination and complementing each other,. The Western food concept tends to rational eating.

9、Westerners specially stress keeping healthy and losing weight, thus pursuit lightness by using fresh ingredients, in the cooking process they emphasize on the nutritional content and the original flavor, therefore the vegetables are basically eaten uncooked. When absorbing food, westerners pay great

10、 attention to its nutritional values. Diet is just a means of keeping healthy and enjoying the meal does not occupy a prominent position. Therefore westerns dont excessively pursuit taste and wont spare much efforts on seasoning.2 The differences of cooking between Chinese and western countriesChine

11、se cooks use condiment at will because Chinese cuisine cares for the taste very much. Some row materials not used by westerners are treated by Chinese as good raw material. Westerners think that cuisine is just food used to eat for living. So they eat big piece of meat and whole chicken at their tab

12、le. For example, steak and turkey.The raw material of Chinese cuisine gives priority to plants and freshwater fish, the second is meat. On the contrary, meat and fish have the first place in western-style food raw material, the second is vegetable.3 The differences of tableware between China and wes

13、tern countries in food-cultureThey have big differences in tableware .As we all know, Chinese and people in some Asia countries use chopsticks, spoons and bowls while in western countries, people use dishes, forks and knives. Chopsticks stand for Chinese tableware while forks and knives represent we

14、stern tableware. They not only affect the different way of living, but also stand for the different wisdom between China and western countries.4 Different ways of eating and drinking between China and western countries The most obvious difference in food-culture between China and western countries s

15、hows different aspects of social psychology, value and custom. Usually, when Chinese invite guests to have meal, they pay much attention to sharing with each other. They sit on the same table and eat together with hosts good service. At last, everyone strives to pay the bill. All actions make people

16、 feel close to each other. Affected by individualism, every guest has their own food when westerners invite guests. They order dishes for themselves regardless of others. They eat their own dish and usually pay for themselves.5 The differences of table manners between China and western countriesIn C

17、hina, table manners are complex no matter in ancient or in modern time. When we have meal together, we cant be self-centered. Eating with others, we need to wash hands before eating .Putting the rest rice back to the pot, occupying with dish and winnowing hot rice are all forbidden. After eating, gu

18、ests should gather up dishes to the host, and then, the host stands up to stop them and let them sit down. Some table manners are still looked as social etiquette in modern time. In the western banquet, generally host let their guests enjoy themselves and merely let them eat again or urge them to dr

19、ink. When eating, they are also not allowed to send out sound. But the guest should appreciate the food prepared by the host. When talk with other, they should talk with people next to them and not talk to people who have long distance with them.二The intrinsic factors of the differences between Chin

20、ese and western food cultureThere are many intrinsic factors that lead to the differences between Chinese and western food culture, but the main one is the difference between Chinese and western traditional culture and ideology.1. Chinese traditional cultureThe early Chinese culture has received the

21、 geographical environment restriction to a great extent. China is located in the southeast of Asia mainland, in the northwest is the boundless desert, the prairie and Gobi, and the southeast is the vast sea. The Chinese culture originated from the Yellow River Basin, the land is fertile but the clim

22、ate is bad. Chinese culture also has two major characteristics. First, the pursuit of suitable, eliminate all impractical things. Second, Chinese culture shows the unique features of benevolence and love. The core of Confucianism is “benevolent love”, which made a profound impact on Chinese traditio

23、nal culture.2. Western traditional cultureGreek civilization, the early civilization of western culture, is one of the most ancient civilizations in the world. It stems from the Aegean Sea in the northeast of Mediterranean, where its unique climate and geographical environment have formed the unique

24、 Greek mode of production and unique civilization. Western people especially pay attention to the development of the rational thinking, rationalism become the typical characteristic of western culture. Another main characteristic of western culture is: individual-based society, self-centered, focusing on personal dignity.The difference between Chinese and western food culture is one of the phenomenon of cross-cultural communication. Th