美国礼仪文化

The differences between Chinese culture and American culture in terms of their etiquette姓名：吴乐琪学号：201397746班级：外英双1304Abstract:Since different countries have different histories and cultures, there are a lot of differences in the habit of conducts and the ceremonies, especially between China and the America, the jokes and the mistakes caused by misunderstanding are not unusual. This shows that the understanding of the different etiquettes between Chinese and the Americans is absolutely necessary. On the one side, to understand each other’s etiquette will be conduciv e to the exchanges between the countries both in politics and business. On the other side, a person who understands others’ rituals and folk customs can be seen as respecting for others and can be easier to make a good impression on the counterparts. Along with the constant development of Chinese culture and the American culture, Chinese ritual and the American ritual have absorbed a lot from each other. Americans have accepted the reasonable factors in Chinese culture, such as emphasizing on the human relationship. Chinese people have gradually accepted the advanced civilization of the American culture and etiquette style. However, in real life, the etiquette’s impacts due to cultural differences between China and American still exist. Therefore this paper tries to find out the differences between Chinese culture and American culture in terms of their etiquette, to explore the root of these differences and the ways to deal with these differences. .It aims at letting people understand and respect the difference between countries in cross-culture communication; avoiding the culture conflicts, then realizing the successful cooperation; meanwhile, enhancing our sensibility to the culture difference, forecasting the counterparts’ reaction and then , making effective and efficient communication. Moreover, it also tries to eliminate the out-of-date part of our culture and enrich the advanced part.Key Words：Etiquette; Difference; Chinese etiquette; American etiquetteContentsAcknowledgements (I)Content (II)Abstract in English (IV)1. Introduction (1)2. The Differences between Chinese Etiquettes and American Etiquettes (2)2.1 Addressing (3)2.2 Greetings and Partings (4)2.3 Apologies and Responses (5)2.4 Thanks and Responses (6)2.5 Invitation and Saying Good-Bye (7)IntroductionEtiquette is the process and means to show respect to each other in interpersonal relationship by certain common procedures. The etiquette can be said to be a person’s external appearanc e of inward cultivation and quality. Firstly, it can help people promote their self-cultivation. Secondly, it will promote social interaction and improve people’s interpersonal relationship. It also can purify the society. Since different countries have different historical and cultural backgrounds, there are a lot of differences in the ceremony, especially between China and America, therefore the understanding of the differences between Chinese etiquette and the American etiquette are absolutely necessary. Especially in modern society, it seems that the world is getting smaller and smaller, people are very active with frequent exchanges. Many countries are paying much attention to combine international etiquette with national etiquette creatively. Etiquette is the common wealth of Chinese civilization and the American civilization.2. The Differences between China Etiquette and American Daily EtiquetteEtiquette is the product of social civilization. It is the norm created by human beings to formulate the social behaviors. As long as there is human connection and communicat ion activities, people need etiquettes to express their feelings and respect. China is well k nown for her rich culture since ancient times, hospitality and courtesy are the traditional virtues of our country. Sometimes, there are some behaviors we do not mind. However, they appear to be rude and offensive in the eyes of the foreigners, thus knowing the cult ural difference between Americans and Chinese is very important.2.1 AddressingBoth Americans and Chinese people have two kinds of personal names: a surname and a given name. But the order and the use of these names in the two languages are so mewhat different. In Chinese, the surname comes first and then the given name. And peo ple like to add“小”(Xiao) before their family name. Such as“小王”(Xiao Wang)、“小郑”(X iao Zheng)、“小李”(Xiao Li )、“小徐”(Xiao Xu) and so on.While American names are written and spoken with the given name first and the fa mily name last. So John Smith’s family name is Smith, not John. In a formal setting, ad dress men as “Mister” (abbreviated as “Mr.”), married women as “Misses” (abbreviated as “Mrs.”), and unmarried women as “Miss” (abbreviated as “Ms.”). These days many wom en prefer to be addressed using the abbrevi ations “Ms.” or “M.”, pronounced “miz.”If the person has an M.D. or Ph.D., they will often be addressed as “Doctor” (abbre viated as “Dr.”). Faculty is addressed as “Professor” (abbreviated as “Prof.”).In an informal situation, Americans will introduce each other by first name, without titles, and occasionally by just the last name. If you are introduced to somebody by first name, you can address him or her by first name the next time you meet. The only exce ption would be for someone who holds an important position, such as the university presi dent or provost. Unless they tell you otherwise, faculty should be addressed using their tit le and last name (e.g., “Professor Smith”). When in doubt, use the formal manner of addr ess. It is also appropriate to ask how they prefer to be addressed.Another difference is about the form of addressing. From the viewpoint of socioling uistics, forms of addressing can serve as an indication of the relationship of power and s olidarity in the society. In calling their superiors or elders, the Chinese are accustomed to the non-reciprocal or asymmetrical addressing, in other words. They use “title +surname”to address their superior or elders rather than call them surnames, while the superior or elders call the addressers their names. The Chinese tend to abide by the polite principle o f depreciating oneself and respecting others to show appropriate respects towards the perso ns being addressed, otherwise, the addresser may be considered as ill mannered, ill educat ed or rude. But in American countries, people have a tendency to follow the reciprocal o r symmetrical addressing. Although they are different in age and status, they can call the other directly, namely, their names, even first names except when they call the doctors, n ot arousing offence between them, but demonstrating the sense of intimacy and the conce ption of “everyone is created equal”.Chinese people feel unnatural addressing an American by his given name, feeling that it indicates too close a relationship, and Americans, on the other hand, may feel that ifa Chinese insists on using his surname, it indicates an unwillingness to be friendly and m aintains a gap between them. So the use of forms like” Miss Mary” or “Mr. Smith ” ma y be a Chinese forms of compromise. With Miss Mary, the use of the given name indica tes friendliness, but the addition of the title indicates the respect they feel they ought to s how. And with Smith, the lack of a title indicates friendliness, but the use of the surnam e prevents if sounding too intimate. However, both addressing used by the Chinese sound very strange and uncomfortable to the westerner.2.2 Greetings and PartingsWhen people meet acquaintances or friends, people usually greet each other. The purpose of greeting is to establish or maintain social contact. So formulaic expressions are often used, but such formulaic expressions often cause conflict because of the great cultu ral differences between Chinese and American speakers. In America, people often employ the following expressions to greet each other “Good morning/evening/afternoon.” “Fine day, isn’t it?” “|How is everything going?” While in Chinese, we always say “你吃了吗？” (Have you eaten?) “你上哪里去？”(Where have you gone to )“你干什么去？”(What have you done?) to show our consideration. Americans treat them as real questions. Therefore, they really disgust this kind of questions.As for partings, it may be divided into two steps. Before the final parting, there is usual a leave-taking. American and Chinese cultures have diverse ways to deal with leav e-takings. Firstly, in American society, during the closing phase of an encounter, from “I”perspective, reasons for terminating the encounters are presented in mitigatory comments. Typical comments are associated with expressions of apology, such as “I” am afraid I m ust be off, I have to relieve the baby-sitter” and others. American people believe that to be willing to visit and converse with someone is to have respect for him; to terminate th e visiting is not of o ne’s own free will, but because of some other arrangements, therefor e they always try to make their leaving sound reluctant by finding some reasons and apol ogize for it to make the leaving acceptable for both parties. American speakers often sign al several times before leaving. “Well, it’s been nice to see you again. I do enjoy our tal k and the lovely dinner, but I must be going soon”. “Thank you very much for asking me over. I hope we’ll be able to get together again before long…” Consolidation in a wide r range of common acquaintances also occurs, in expressions such as “Say hello to Jack f or me” or “Remember me to John”. In Chinese society, during the closing phase of an e ncounter, usually, from a “you” perspective, reasons for ending the encounter are set forth in mitigatory expressions. Such expressions include“你挺忙的，我就不多打扰了。