OnDifferencesBeweenChineseandWesernDieCulures_开题报告

In the development of human civilization, diet occupies an important position and the same time grows with the development of history. Diet is not only the first need of human survival and development, but also the basic forms of social life with good health condition. However, differences between Chinese and western cultures create the differences of cultural diet, this difference is from the different way of thinking and philosophy of life between them.

From the old saying “When a man attains to Tao, even his pets ascend to heaven”, we can see the Chinese culture of community. But in Britain, the United States and other western countries, particularly the United States, they emphasize on individualism more, stressing the personal value and dignity, individual characteristics and differences, promoting new encourage, unique style, therefore, few people would ask other’s privates. Two distinct value orientations are also reflected in the diet. 

There are many scholars are interested in different food cultures between China and western countries. Yi Zhongtian used to elaborated the Chinese and western culture in his book culture of the table. He said that Chinese culture explains the thought core “collective consciousness”, while the western culture thought core is “the individual consciousness”. So even when the westerners treat guest , they still eat their own food , drink their own wine, so as not to impose their own will upon others, Chinese culture maintain the opinion that the individual’s will must obey the collective will.

In Yin Li and Han Xiaoling’s book, writers mainly describe the relationship of idioms and folklore (Yin Li, Han Xiaoling. 2007).And the writers also tell about food culture. Their opinion is that food manner is not just to satisfy people’s physical needs, what is more, food is a social behavior, and it has rich cultural connotations. Different regions, countries and peoples gradually form a distinctive food culture, because it is affected by natural environment, product, geography, climate, economy, politics, religion, philosophy, history and so on. Food custom is a visualized reflection of food culture. Food custom belongs to the scope of a big culture. It is also an independent branch of folklore.

English man Davis wrote a book called “The Chinese: A General Description of China and Its Inhabitants”. In this book, he describes Chinese diet and cooking methods of Chinese food. He suggested Chinese diet is totally different from French diet and English diet. He pointed out that Chinese food pays more attention to sensual pleasures.

The above scholars all analyzes the Chinese and western diet and etiquette cultural differences from different angles respectively. In this thesis, we discuss the difference of dietary culture between Chinese and westerners from Diet Concept, Diet Object, Table-wares and Diet Etiquette. Through the study, it is beneficial for both sides to strengthen the communication in culture, and more able to eliminate the obstacles and misunderstanding when two nations are communicating, so that people can have in-depth understanding about the dietary culture from China and western countries. To study both parties’ dietary culture difference from various aspects, it can not only help us to strengthen the awareness and adaption in the culture communication, but also can enhance our understanding, toleration and acceptation to foreign culture. Then this makes Chinese and western dietary culture can mutually develop and fuse in communication, which it plays a remarkable role in boosting the development of culture in the whole world.

Outline

Introduction

Definition of Diet culture

Performance of difference between Chinese and Western Diet culture

 3.1 Difference in Diet Concept 

 3.2 Difference in Diet Object

 3.3 Difference in Table-wares

 3.4 Difference in Diet Etiquette

Reasons for the Differences between Chinese and Western countries

 4.1 Climate Environment

 4.2 The impact of the Economic system

 4.3 Culture Level 

 4.4 Religious Beliefs 

 4.5 Tradition and social customs 

 4.6 Value and morality concepts

The Future prospects of Chinese and Western Diet

Conclusion

7. References

           References

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