Body: In China, business dinners are served on a “lazy susan” where everyone serves him or herself as the food comes one at a time whereas the American, depending on the size, might use the buffet style or already dished style. One will conclude that because the Chinese culture is relationship/family based, eating together and significant from the same bowl/serving plate highlight their dependence and need to include/ belong culture whereas the American, with its fast pace culture, and the determination to get things done as fast and quickly as possible is seen in their dinning etiquette.
American Etiquette:
Chinese Etiquette:
In your culture, what will be the “appropriate” business dinner etiquette. Does culture have any influence on how to entertain a business guest?
What do you think?
-Noreen and Rikki
2 comments:
Coming from a Chinese culture, I do find differences between American and chinese dining etiquette. Indeed , the differences are pretty huge. For instance, Chinese use chopsticks instead of forks or knives to eat. Besides, we usually have dinner in a family-style instead of ording our own plates.
In order to do business with Chinese, it is better to build the relationship first. Dining with the chinese is essential. Hence, dining etiquette can definitely influence a business. Try to eat all the food that the Chinese host served you. Otherwise, he/she may thought you don't like the Chinese food and causing him/ her to lose face.
No matter you are doing business or travelling, it is always better to show some respect to the host by showin them how much you know about their culture!
Differences in both dining etiquette and in food is definitely a cultural issue for many different countries. While it is common (especially now) for American families to make each family member be "on their own" for dinner or any other meal, this would not be a common practice in other cultures that emphasize family above all else. Other dining etiquette, such as the use of the different hands in India, or the removal of shoes/sitting on the floor in Japan, must be practiced by any foreigner going to visit that respective country.
Post a Comment