论文总字数：28914字

摘 要

本文主要探讨了中西饮食文化的差异。不同的自然地理环境，气候条件以及风土人情导致了中西饮食文化和饮食风格截然不同。不同的国家在不同的文化背景下,在烹饪方式和礼仪等方面的差异还是很明显的。通过对中西饮食文化差异的分析，我们可以深入了解中西方各自的饮食传统，随着国际的交流与融合，中西饮食文化将会在交流中共同发展，这将对促进世界文化交流起到重要作用。

关键字：文化传统；饮食文化；文化差异

Contents

1. Introduction １

2. Literature Review １

3. Characteristics of Cuisine Culture ２

3.1 Characteristics of Chinese cuisine culture ２

3.2 Characteristics of western cuisine culture ３

4. Differences in the Chinese and Western Cuisine ４

4.1 Differences in tableware ４

4.2 Differences in ingredients ４

4.3 Differences in cooking methods ５

4.4 Difference in table manners ６

5. Reasons for the Differences of Cuisine Culture ８

5.1 External reason ８

5.2 Immanent cause ８

6. Implication to the Cross-cultural Communication ８

7. Conclusion １０

Works Cited １２

1. Introduction

Chinese people focused on food thousands of years ago. As an old saying goes: Even man is made of iron and steel and he will go hungry if skipping a meal, so, diet is essential in human life. The Chinese people attach great importance to "eating". The proverb, "Hunger breeds discontent", means that we highly pay attention to diet. Because our nation was in the low level of productivity and people always did not have enough to eat.When it comes to how to eat, it is embodied in a kind of consciousness or idea.

In diet, the differences are obvious between Chinese and Western. Chinese people always pay attention to cooking methods,which consider that vegetables are more popular than meat. However, nutrition is firstly considered by westerners and vegetables are secondary. Different concept, target, pattern and nature reflect the different diet culture characteristics. Studying these cultural differences, we can find out a joint to strengthen the communication between China and the West. It may improve culture communication between China and the west.

Social background and historical culture differences lead to the differences between Chinese and western diet culture. With the rapid growth of economy and globalization, Chinese and western diet culture will constantly fuse in the collision. So, the Chinese have begun to pay attention to the nutritional food, health and the science of cooking. In the future, the two cultures will continue to learn from each other and make progress together.

The thesis focuses on the comparison between Chinese and western cuisine. The purpose of the thesis is to help people know more about differences and traditional cuisine. By comparing the differences, it is necessary for us to confine the current research to certain aspects to avoid confusion. There are many differences in tableware, table manners etc, so the comparative study between Chinese and western food will help us increase cross-cultural awareness and respect these differences. Moreover, when we communicate with people from different cultures, we will learn more about their lives, history and values.

2. Literature Review

Chinese people are thinking highly of food. In the ancient times, our nation was in the low level of productivity, people always did not have enough to eat, so they considered that food is very important. Li Xiaohong pointed out if a country puts eating as primary, two phenomena appeared: on one hand people will put the food at the first place. This is also the culture basis that diet cures better than the doctors. On the other hand, paying more attention to eating can make person praise highly of delicious pursuit. (Li 33).

“The focus of the western diet custom is just an extension of utility, and customs of the Chinese diet put emphasis on flavor and people put the food into the art. We can see the point from two different diet concepts, the western diet is increasing normalization, and the Chinese diet is more randomness.” (Li 03). Due to the different philosophical thoughts of Chinese and western, Rational westerners pay more attention to the nutrition and survival. In the Western diet nutrition is the highest principle. So the Westerners eat like a biological machine, especially on food nutrients, protein, fat and vitamins. (Dang 62).

Peter also said that the most important economic behavior is decided by the culture, their culture engraved with cultural prestige. (Peter Cosgrove 229). Real economic growth depends on the culture. China"s traditional economy is a typical self-sufficient economy. People are more conservative, because they can rely on a piece of land for the whole of life, their culture is more introverted. In ancient China, people were still poor and didn’t have enough to eat and drink, so a lot of people and children starved to death. With the development of the society, people attach great importance to nutritious food, and make an effort to eat more healthily, So now there are a lot of food therapy. Ancient Greek civilization originated in the Aegean sea coast of the west, belongs to Marine civilization, so the Europeans like to explore the world, and their culture is more outgoing.

Lai Anfang said that the pursuit of freedom and equality has been the guiding principle and target of western culture. (Lai 60). "industrial civilization character" led to the struggle spirit and legal consciousness. And also protect their own interests which also appears in their eating habits.

3. Characteristics of Cuisine Culture

3.1 Characteristics of Chinese cuisine culture

The Chinese diet emphasizes perception and artistry and pays attention to taste instead of the nutrition of the food ingredients. "Taste" is the charm of Chinese food. The purpose of the Chinese diet is to appease hunger. It is significant to satisfy the desire for delicious food and bring physical and mental pleasure.

Since the ancient times, Chinese food paid attention to taste and also emphasized their naming. These dishes are named both according to the history and their legends such as "Beggar Chicken", "Lion’s Head". Chinese cooking always puts seasoning together, which makes the raw materials almost lose their own features. However, this kind of cooking produces a new and complete smell such as “Buddha jumping over the way”(佛跳墙). There are chicken, duck, scallop, abalone, sea cucumber, and other ingredients in it. We can’t taste the original taste of the raw materials, but we can taste a delicious dish finally. Chinese food is full of imagination and creativity. Chinese diet has a fuzzy empirical grasp on nutritional science. In banquet, there are all kinds of meat dishes but fewer vegetables. This is the deficiency of Chinese diet. Chinese diet emphasizes too much on spiritual enjoyment but ignores nutrition. Therefore, in the development of Chinese diet, we should learn from western-style food .

Besides, Chinese cooking technology is closely linked with health care. There is an old saying “Medical and Edible food and medicine are from the same root.” Chinese cooking uses the medicinal value of raw materials to make all sorts of delicious food. In the end, the Chinese diet achieves the goal of a prevention and treatment of disease.

3.2 Characteristics of western cuisine culture

Contrast to Chinese food, the west have a rational and scientific diet concept. Western food stresses the nutrition of food and attach great importance to food which contains protein, fat, calories, and vitamins rather than the pursuit of food color, aroma, taste and shape. Westerners seldom link the diet to spiritual enjoyment. The diet reflects a strong practical purpose and adapts to the western philosophy system. Western diet puts emphasis on science, which pays more attention to the combination of nutrients according to the specific conditions of the human body. For example, primary and secondary schools are equipped with a dietitian to ensure the adolescents’ nutrition. These science and rational ways are worthy to be learned. In a word, the western diet uses absolute rationality to regulate human behavior, which use “science”, “nutrition” to exclude the pleasure from food. Although western diet can meet physiological needs, people can’t receive spiritual pleasure.

4. Differences in the Chinese and Western Cuisine Culture

4.1 Differences in tableware

Chopsticks are main tableware in China as well as a variety of keys, cups, dishes and bowls. Whatever the shape of food, we can all use chopsticks. It’s really magic. So Chinese people are very proud of chopsticks and regard it as the symbol of advance. Chinese cooking stresses the shape, size and color of tableware and the coordination of dishes which treats the diet as artistic activity. Chopsticks must be shared with the family members around the table. It highlights the family unit of the old and the young.

Westerners use metal knives and forks as well as a variety of cups, dishes and bowls. All of these tableware have their own duties and can’t mix. When you meet large pieces of food, maybe you need to use your own hands. But western food don’t emphasize artistic beauty. In short, westerners focus on food while the Chinese emphasize artistry.

4.2 Differences in ingredients

Chinese breakfast are always steamed buns, noodles, rice porridge,as well as some protein rich foods, such as soybean milk and eggs. Lunch is sometimes rice or noodles. The types of non-staple food are very extensive such as meat, eggs and milk, poultry, soy products, seafood, vegetables and so on. Dinner is very rich. The family enjoys this meal together. While Westerners breakfast are bread, milk, egg, fruit juice, coffee, cereal and sausage. Lunch is usually fast food at the workplace. They usually have sandwiches, fruit, coffee, hamburgers, hot dogs and so on. Dinner is relatively rich such as steak, pork chop, barbecue, fried chicken, bread, butter, vegetables and fruit. Westerners have the habit of having snacks before going to bed. Adults always have fruit, candy while children with milk and cookies. On weekends or holidays, many families have only two meals. They will combine breakfast and lunch as a meal which is called brunch.

Based on different culture background, westerns eat much meat and pay more attention to animal protein and fat. In westerners’ diet structure, beef, chicken, pork, and fish are common which is associated with the western nomadic, navigation national culture and sailing. On the contrary, Chinese people are mainly influenced by agricultural civilization. In Chinese traditional diet, staple food is grain, vegetables and meat are secondary. This habit is under the influence of Buddhist culture. Buddhism believes that animals are “living beings” and we can’t kill and eat them. Buddhism advocates the idea of “stop killing free life”.

With the improvement of living standards and the popularity of nutrition concept, meat and milk are stepping up the proportion of daily food on Chinese table. Similarly, in the western diet, people eat more vegetables than before. Chinese and western diet structures are gradually integrating. Besides, westerners like eating cold food and cold dish, such as salad and cold drink. On the contrary, Chinese people like hot food, in addition to several cold dishes before main course, others are all hot.

4.3 Differences in cooking methods

In china, cooking is an art, which is full of interests. Cooking methods includes braise, crisp, stew, grill, fry and so on. The process of cooking is relatively complex, which usually wastes a lot of time.

The chef can carve out different forms of flowers, birds, insects and fish according to the different ingredients. When dishes are placed on the table, people consider them as art instead of food. The heat is also a key factor to determine the taste, It is not simple for ordinary people to operate the proper temperature. The cook will accurately identify different levels of fire according to the tender degree, raw material moisture, shape and size. Chinese eight cuisines have its own characteristics and cooking style. A dish can be adjusted according to different chefs, seasons, occasions, identities and people"s taste. For example ,the dish will be sweet in Jiangsu but very hot in Sichuan.

Westerners stress science and nutrition. The whole process of cooking is in strict accordance with the scientific and standardized way. Thus the chef’s work is extremely boring and mechanical. Cookers need to be patient under the customers’ demanding. So they repeat the machinery work everyday and without any fun. Western cooking isn’t as complicated as Chinese. Western food always uses fresh, non-polluted, and natural raw materials which tries to develop its flavor. Milk is indispensable in the west.

Western cooking emphasizes science and nutrition, westerners go shopping according to their list. But this kind of cooking does not match well with seasoning, we can say that there is no seasoning. Westerners are like doing experiment when they cook, they are engaged in studying the differences in nutrition. westerners cooking is from physical, chemical perspective and the kitchen is equipped with complete tools such as balance, timer, scale and so on. When it comes to seasoning, there are only tomato sauce, mustard paste, lemon juice, chili oil, butter and cream. These ingredients are eaten together with food after cooking and they can add seasoning according to their own tastes. Though food has the advantages of simple manufacture, poor taste and no innovation, it is worthy of our admiration. Western kitchen is always so clean and tidy.On the contrary, cleaning is very inconvenient in Chinese kitchen.

4.4 Difference in table manners

Westerners are usually active, but when they sit on the table they will concentrate on cutting their own food quietly. Chinese are usually quiet, but when they sit on a table they talk with each other for food and urge people to drink. These behaviors reflect the fundamental differences in Chinese and Western food culture.

In etiquette, there is more differences between China and the West. In China, people all sit around the table and toast each other. When people eat together, you can’t just eat on your own. If you have lunch with other, you must check your hands clean. Do not put excess rice into pot. After dinner, the guests should pick up the dishes on the table. These rituals are still necessary in modern society which can maintain family stability. At the same time, it also has its drawbacks, because it’s not science and healthy. Now, people come to realize the disadvantages, but in the whole society the way still needs to popularize.

In the western banquet, host only persuades guests to eat once, the remaining is eaten by the guests on their own. If the guest doesn’t need food, the host no longer persuade people to eat. A form of western dining system is buffet, people take a set of dish and take their favorite food and don’t need to seat in the fixed seats. This way not only meets personal preferences for food, but also facilitates the social. So in the western banquets, food is a kind of means and foil instead of the core of the friendship. These show that westerners emphasize personal independence and autonomy. On the contrary, Chinese are totally different. Chinese people will frequently persuade people to eat and drink. When westerners eat, they can’t make noise. But the guests should pay attention to appreciate the preparing meals. If guests want to talk with others, they can only talk with the neighbor instead of people in far distance.

The seating arrangement is the important form of table manners. In general, the position is more important when it is close to the host. The most important guests seat in the first table, next to the main guests is secondary. In China, It is quite common that elderly seat them first because the Chinese respect the elders.

The female were rarely seen in the ancient Chinese banquet, but now women break away from the bondage of feudal ideology. In the society, women began to take charge as chief. The party specific seating arrangements are as follows: Masters face the door or sit in the south, guests in accordance with the principles that the right is the best.The first chief guest at the owner"s right, the second guest is on the right side of the first chief or at guests’ left. Lady guest sits in the top right of the hostess. If the guests’ identity are higher than the master, as a sign of respect, the guests can sit on the location of the master and the master was sitting in the position of the guests.

In the ancient Western society, the most distinguished guest seated on the left side of the master because people are used to use the right hand to hold the knife. Today, Westerners no longer focus on security protection in the seating arrangements but they still follow the "ladies first" concept of traditional culture and they list the sex of guest, and then arrange forms and specific seat. If men and women participate the party together, the male and female guests are divided into two lists and usually the seats are arranged like this: the farthest from the door of the seat is hostess, the right hand side of hostess is the most important guest, in the right hand of host is the second guest.

At the same table, if you are closer to the master, that means you are more noble. In addition, if men and women all attend the party, men should open doors for women and let the lady go first. When the host leads the female guests into the hall, first of all, the host invites the first female guest to seat and helps her pull the chair. Waiters should first serve the lady guest from the left side, then distribute to the other ladies one by one, and finally to the hostess, then serve man in the same order. When the hostess and the other ladies pick up her napkin, knife and fork to eat, men can begin. After the end of the meal, man must wait for the lady stand up and leave, and man still needs to pull chairs for the lady.

Table manner is a lifestyle and living habits to some extent. And habit does not form in a short period. It is actually a kind of historical and cultural sedimentation and extension, so the differences between Chinese and western table manners are a part of traditional culture differences.

5.Reasons for the Differences of Cuisine Culture

5.1 External reason

Because of restriction of geographical environment of the mainland and the sea, Chinese and Western diet have much differences. China is located in the inland and has a long farming history. So, people put emphasis on nature and harmony. Group cooperation consciousness is deeply rooted in their memory. However, western civilization is originated in sea, in the face of mystery of nature, westerners have formed a rational exploration which is in line with the nature.

5.2 Immanent cause

The ancient western culture is called religious culture. Therefore, the concept of diet is more influenced by theology. Chinese ancient culture is called patriarchal culture, dietary ideas are related to the ethical value. Eating is not simple to Chinese people, it is far beyond the material level of food and rise to the spirit level. There is a rich psychological meaning behind the form of eating. Eating contains a deeper communication emotional and service function. But in western countries, diet is just a necessary means of survival and a simple communication. There are not more profound social meanings.

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