A Comparative Study of Differences Between Chinese and Western Food Culture(英语论文).doc 6页

A Comparative Study of Differences Between Chinese and Western Food Cultures [Abstract] This paper centers on the different customs between Chinese and Western diet. We can see the difference between Chinese and Western cuisine from dietary pattern and the utensils. There are three aspects of the cultural differences between Chinese and Western diet: the concept of two different diets; the difference between Chinese and Western eating targets; the different ways of eating. Chinese cuisine and Western cuisine all emphasize nutrition of the food. Everything is relative, cultural difference being no exception. Culture, as the total pattern of human behavior and its products, oversteps geographical limits and historical conditions in many ways, and it is characterized by its strong penetration and fusibility. [Key Words] food cultures；differences；Chinese；Western countries；nutrition? 1. Introduction? The main difference between Chinese and Western eating habits is that, in China, the dishes are placed on the table and everybody shares, but in the West, everyone has their own plate. If a Chinese host is treating you, you will be prepared for a ton of food. Chinese are very proud of their culture of food and will do their best to give you a taste of many different kinds of cuisine. Among friends, they will just order enough for the people there. If they are taking somebody out for dinner and the relationship is polite to semi-polite, then they will usually order one more dish than the number of guests (e.g. four people, five dishes). If it is a business dinner or a very formal occasion, there is likely to be a huge amount of food that will be impossible to finish. ??? A typical meal starts with some cold dishes, like boiled peanuts and smashed cucumber with garlic. The main courses, hot meat and vegetable dishes follow these. Finally soup is brought out, which is followed by the starchy staple food, which is usually rice or noodles or sometimes dumplings. Many Chinese eat rice (or noodles or whatever), but if you like to have your rice together with other dishes, you should say so earlier on. ? The concept of Western diet is a rational, scientific concept. They stress the nutritional value of food and emphasize protein, fat, calories and vitamins of food. They particularly care whether the collocation of nutrition and the supply of calories are appropriet. And these nutrients can be fully absorbed by people who eat the food. In the West, they emphasize how to keep the natural nutrition of food, but not pursuit the color, flavor and shape of the food. They have almost not linked diet to mental enjoyment. Westerners think the diet is only a way of survival, but it adoptes a manner which is more scientific, standard and reasonable. This scientific and rational concept of diet is worthy to be used in China. 2. The different characters and history of Chinese and Western countries2.1. Chinese traditional custom of eating organic foods is the main dietary practices. Staple food is grain, vegetables are supplements, along with a small amount of meat. The main reason for the formation of the customs is that the area for agricultural production is regarded as the main area of economic production. But at different levels, food distribution ratio varies dramatically. So government officials said ancient people liked eating.??? In dietary pattern, Chinese people have their own characteristics, which are feeding system. The feeding system originated from the ancient time. Such ancient feeding custom has been passed on. Feeding system for the long-term spread. Chinese people pay their attention to the concept of the extended family of blood relatives and it is reflected in the dietary pattern.??? In utensils, the major characteristic of Chinese eating custom is the use of chopsticks. In the ancient times chopsticks were called ZHU, which has a long history in China. Some books said: no chopsticks no meal.? Thus, at least since Sang dynasty, people have been using chopsticks to eat. Generally, chopsticks are made of bamboo. So we can use them conveniently. Many Europeans and American people see Asians using chopsticks, and praise that for artistic creation. In fact, chopsticks are used in many Eastern countries and this custom is from China. Chinese ancestors invented chopsticks, which is a major contribution to human civilization. dish than the number of guests (e.g. four people, five dishes). If it is a business dinner or a very formal occasion, there is likely to be a huge amount of food that will be impossible to finish. ??? A typical meal starts with some cold dishes, like boiled peanuts and smashed cucumber with garlic. The main courses, hot meat and vegetable dishes follow these. Finally soup is brought out, which is followed by the starchy staple food, which is usually rice or noodles or sometimes dumplings. Many Chinese eat rice (or noodles or whatever), but if you like to have your rice together with other dishes, you should say so earlier on. ? The concept of Western diet is a rational, scientific concept. They stress the nutritional value of food and emphasize protein, fat, calories and vitamins of food. They particularly care whether the collocation of nutrition and the supply of calories are appropriet. And these nutrients can be fully absorbed by people who eat the food. In the West, they emphasize how to keep the natural nutrition of food, but not pursuit the color, flavor and shape of the food. They have almost not linked diet to mental enjoyment. Westerners think the diet is only a way of survival, but it adoptes a manner which is more scientific, standard and reasonable. This scientific and rational concept of diet is worthy to be used in China. 2. The different characters and history of Chinese and Western countries2.1. Chinese traditional custom of eating organic foods is the main dietary practices. Staple food is grain, vegetables are supplements, along with a small amount of meat. The main reason for the formation of the customs is that the area for agricultural production is regarded as the main area of economic production. But at different levels, food distribution ratio varies dramatically. So government officials said ancient people liked eating.??? In dietary pattern, Chinese people have their own characteristics, which are feeding system. The feeding system originated from the ancient time. Such ancient feeding custom has been passed on. Feeding system for the long-term spread. Chinese people pay their attention to the concept of the extended family of blood relatives and it is reflected in the dietary pattern.??? In utensils, the major characteristic of Chinese eating custom is the use of chopsticks. In the ancient times chopsticks were called ZHU, which has a long history in China. Some books said: no chopsticks no meal.? Thus, at least since Sang dynasty, people have been using chopsticks to eat. Generally, chopsticks are made of bamboo. So we can use them conveniently. Many Europeans and American people see Asians using chopsticks, and praise that for artistic creation. In fact, chopsticks are used in many Eastern countries and this custom is from China. Chinese ancestors invented chopsticks, which is a major contribution to human civilization. 《生命列车》The Train Of Life 不久以前，我读了一本书。书中把人生比作一次旅行。 人生一世，就好比是一次搭车旅行，要经历无数次上车、下车; 时常有事故发生; 有时是意外惊喜，有时却是刻骨铭心的悲伤… … 降生人世，我们就坐上了生命列车。我们以为我们最先见到的那两个人------我们的父母，会在人生旅途中一直陪伴着我们。 很遗憾，事实并非如此。他们会在某个车站下车，留下我们，孤独无助。他们的爱、他们的情、他们不可替代的陪伴，再也无从寻找。 尽管如此，还会有其他人上车。他们当中的一些人将对我们有着特殊的意义。 他们之中有我们的兄弟姐妹, 有我们的亲朋好友。我们还将会体验千古不朽的爱情故事。 坐同一班车的人当中，有的轻松旅行。 有的却带着深深的悲哀… … 还有的,在列车上四处奔忙，随时准备帮助有需要的人… …? 很多人下车后，其他旅客对他们的回忆历久弥新… … 但是，也有一些人，当他们离开座位时，却没有人察觉。 有时候，对你来说情深义重的旅伴却坐到了另一节车厢。你只得远离他，继续你的旅程。 当然，在旅途中，你也可以摇摇晃晃地穿过自己的车厢，去别的车厢找他… … 可惜，你再也无法坐在他身旁，因为这个位置已经让别人给占了… ... 没关系。旅途充满挑战、梦想、希望、离别… … 就是不能回头。因此，尽量使旅途愉快吧！ 善待旅途上遇见的所有旅客，找出人们身上的闪光点。 永远记住，在某一段旅程中，有人会犹豫彷徨，因为我们自己也会犹豫彷徨。 我们要理解他人，因为我们需要他人的理解。 生命之谜就是：我们在什么地方下车？坐在身旁的伴侣在什么地方下车？我们的朋友在什么地方下车？我们无从知晓… … 我时常这样想：到我该下车的时候，我会留恋吗？我想我还是会的。和我的朋友分离，我会痛苦。让我的孩子孤独地前行，我会悲伤。 我执著地希望在我们大家都要到达的那个终点站，我们还会相聚… … 我的孩子们上车时没有什么行李，如果我能在他们的行囊中留下美好的回忆，我会感到幸福。 我下车后，和我同行的旅客都还能记得我，想念我，我将感到快慰。 献给你, 我生命列车上的同行者, 祝您旅途愉快! Not long ago, I read a book, in which a man’s life was compared to a journey. The life of a man is just like a hitchhiking，during which many times we go up and down. Now and then things will happen accidently, some of which are to be unexpected excitement，while some heart-breaking sorrows. When first embraced the world，we are already on the train of life. We take it for granted that the first two persons, our parents, whom we are encountered with, will accompany us all the way. Sadly，things do not go on as we thought.Our parents will get off the train at a certain station，leaving us, bereft and helpless.Their love and emotion to us and their irreplaceable company can be found in nowhere. However，there will be somebody else who will get on the train. Some of them will have special meaning to us. Some of them may be our siblings , relatives and friends, and we will also expereince the imperishable love. Some of our travelling companions are quite light-hearted on the way. While some may bear immense sorrow.Still some ,back and forth, are ready to hold out their hands for others who need help. Some people alight off the train, yet they are still kept in the mind of the other passengers for long;some, to the opposite, leave their seats without being noticed. Sometimes, the one,who is dear to your heart, has huddled into another carriage. Nothing but one you can do is just to keep on going, far away from him. Of course, during the journey, you may stagger to another carriage to look for him. It’s a pity that you will never seat yourself beside him because the seat has been engaged by others. Never mind. The journey is full of challenges,dreams, hopes and departures--- but only one thing is that you can’t turn back. So, have a good journey with heart and soul. Show your good-will to all the passengers you are encountered with, and find the merits of t