Different etiquette between China and western country With China entry the WTO and will hold the Olympic Games in 2008,the relationship between China and Western in politics, economy, culture will become more and more close.To the definition of etiquette, China and Western have a different understanding. So in the following, we will take China, British and America as the representation of Western, to look at some cultural difference in etiquette.

Invitation and Saying Good-Bye In the culture of British and America, it is very important to consult a time before you invite somebody to attend a banquet or take part in social activities. esp. in America, inviting somebody means you are borrowing time of others. So they respect time very much. While in China, people prefer to an uninvited guest. And otherwise, You will be thought as unfriendly if you cannot receive an uninvited guest very well.

4.Apologies and Responses If wrong things are done, there must be apologies.As to how to offer apologies, both western and Chinese people may “I am sorry….”,”I apologize for…”. Etc. But Chinese would like to apologize for the crowded state of their dwellings and for small numbers of dishes, although the room is big enough and there are many dishes. Chinese stay these to express self- depreciation only out of courtesy, not having other implication. But the westerners would wonder, since the room is so large and there are so many dishes, why do they say so. May be they do not welcome our visit, they don’t like us to eat more. When Chinese contact with westerners, if they do not know these differences, if will lead to misunderstanding. The ways to respond to apologies are different, too. A: Oh, I’m sorry. I forget it. B1: It doesn’t matter. B2: That’s all right. B2 is westerners. B1 is a Chinese person. “It doesn’t matter” is a translation of “ 没关系 ”from Chinese, which is a common pattern in Chinese to respond to apologies. If a Chinese uses this to respond to apologies, westerners will think that he is a sharp person, who simply cannot forgive a very little wrong thing.

Thanks and Responses “Thank you” is widely used in English to show gratitude in such cases as being invited, helped, given a gift, etc. Cultural differences exist between Chinese and western in how to express thanks and responses. In fact, “Thank you” is uttered in English for more than acknowledging favor or gratitude, and it is often a means to show politeness. On many occasions, the English use this utterance while the Chinese may say “ 有劳您了。 ”or do not say a word at all but just smile or nod. As a matter of fact, “Thank you ” is used more widely by westerners than Chinese use“ 谢谢 ”, for minor favors like borrowing pencil, asking directions, requesting someone to pass on a message, receiving a telephone, etc. Without using expressions of gratitude, misunderstandings may arise because the help seems to be taken for granted and is mot appreciated, For westerners, each person is an equal individual, whether he is a family member of not. Native speakers may respond to “Thank you ” by saying : You are welcome /It’s a /my pleasure/ Not at all/ Don’t mention it/That’s all right. While Chinese people may say:“ 这是我应该做的 ” ， which may convey to westerners the message that the Chinese did not really want to do it, or that he /she did it only because it wall his/her duty.

Greeting When 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. In English, people often employ the following expressions to greet each other “Good morning/evening/afternoon. “Fine day, isn’t it? ”How is everything going?” Have you eaten yet?” What are you going to do?” Where have you been?”etc. Westerners treat them as real question. While in Chinese, we always say “ 你吃了吗？ ”“ 你上哪里去？ ”“ 你干什么去？ ”to show our consideration.