从餐桌文化看中西文化的面子观差异

Face in Chinese and Western Culture from the Perspective of Table Culture

餐桌文化在当今社会人们的跨文化交际活动中扮演着越来越重要的角色,中西方文化的面子观差异从餐桌文化中可以管窥一侧。中西餐桌文化从餐桌氛围、劝酒文化、点菜习惯及餐桌话语都体现出中西文化的面子观差异。虽然中西餐桌文化在人际交往中都注意到了面子,但由于历史条件、文化基础和思维方式的不同,两种餐桌文化表现出不同的面子观文化。中国人在餐桌交际时往往采用积极的面子策略,体现了以群体取向为主的中国文化的价值观,西方人在餐桌交际时侧重采用消极面子策略,体现了以个体意识为核心的面子特征。面子文化只有差异,没有对错与优劣之分。为了确保跨文化交际的顺利进行,我们要尊重并包容面子文化差异。

Table culture plays a more and more important role in nowadays＇ intercultural communications.We can see face cultural differences between Chinese and Western countries from the perspective of table culture.There exist face cultural differences in table atmosphere,urging sb.to drink,ordering food and utterances.Although both Chinese and Westerners attach importance to face culture in communication,there are different face cultures due to history,culture basis and different thinking ways.In table communication Chinese prefer positive face strategy while Westerners prefer negative face strategy,which reflects the core value collectivism in Chinese face culture while individualism in Western face culture.It is only different,but not right or wrong,superior or inferior in face culture.To make intercultural communication smoothly,we have to respect and tolerate face cultural differences.