Table MannersAs we know, people in China and western countries all pay lots of attention to good table manners. People are showing their respect to others when they are in good table manner.And this will certainly make others comfortable. But as a result of different cultures, people from different areas have varies table manners. And some of them are quite the same,while some are so much different.Table manners have a decisive position in the communication between China and Western countries. During communication we will show our best image and avoid cultural conflicts. Learning and using the right etiquette will not only step up our own impression, Being on time for dinner can be a general standard for all people.And it seems that guests who are invited to the dinner tend to be present earlier to show their respect. Let us see from the tableware.Chinses always use chopsticks while eating.Attention, hold your chopsticks towards their end, not in the middle or the front third when dining with them. When you are not using your chopsticks, or have finished eating, lay them down in front of you with the tips to left. For the main or meat curse, the English keep the fork in the left hand, point curved downward, and bring the food to the mouth either by sticking the points onto it or in the case of soft vegetables, by placing it firmly on the fork in this position with the knife. Although people use different tools on table, they all put the tool aside in a good order when they finish eating.Sometimes we can be embarrassed when food seem to spit out from our mouths . Apprently , this situation will happen to everyone in the world . And the method that we use are always the same: move the food with your tableware . And hand them at the edge of the plate . The whole process should be gently.Always chew and swallow all the food in your mouth before taking more or taking a drink. Always say thank you when served something. It shows appreciation.Never lick or put your knife in your mouth.These are the same in China.Now let us see some differences. The hostess takes up her a spoon or a fork, before the guest may not eat any kind of a dish. The hostess normally wait until every guest get after dish began. When she picked up the spoon or a fork, that means you can do that. In China, hostess will let gusts to eat first.When you are in the UK, you should pay attention to these:If you cannot eat a certain type of food or have some special needs, tell your host several days before the dinner party. It can not be seen often in China because we can not know what we will be served most of the time.If you are a guest, it is polite to wait until your host starts eating or indicates you should do so. It shows consideration. You may eat chicken and pizza with your fingers if you are at a barbecue, finger buffet or veryinformal setting. Otherwise always use a knife and fork.When eating rolls, break off a piece of bread before buttering. Eating it whole looks tacky. When eating soup, tip the bowl away from you and scoop the soup up with your spoon.When you have finished eating, and to let others know that you have, In a restaurant, it is normal to pay for your food by putting your money on the plate the bill comes on.In China,make sure the spout of the teapot is not facing anyone.it is impolite to set the teapot down where the spout is facing towards somebody.the spout should always be directed to where nobody is sitting,usually just outward from the table.Beer is very popular in China.The other popular alcoholic drink is rice wine. Beware, this can be very strong .In China, drinking alcohol is still mainly a male custom . Male guests are routinely offered alcohol and cigarettes at meal times. Just politely refuse if you don’t want them. An empty glass is always refilled, no matter about protests that the guest has had enough, as a mark of politeness or good will. Often a refusal has to be given three times.With the development of China’s opening-up, more and more Western culture gets into our sight. As we face with unfamiliar cultures and countries, some inevitable cultural conflicts might happen in the communication, which will seriously affect the contacts being carried out smoothly.The action of people from different countries may be much different from each other . The thing we should is to respect every table manners although they can not be understand in a short time .And when we are in other countries , we have to follow their table manners both in arrival of time, the concept of dishes, seat arrangement, using of tools, etc.In total,we should be aware of the importance of table manners (859)Bibliography:<A lady at the table> Shade,Sheryl<Table manners> King,Mia<The art of the table> Von Drachenfels, Suzanne英语 105朱芸 10096528浙江师范大学行知学院。