Hello Steemit friends! Recently I've shared a lot of posts about food, of course who doesn't like tasty food? But, did you know there's food culture too? There's quite a difference in food culture between the east and west, let me give you some examples :

Shared Meals / Individual Meals

Chopsticks / Knife and Fork

Chinese Chefs use Chinese Cleavers / Western Chefs use small chef knives

Chinese Chefs use Woks / Western Chefs use pans

What's the reason for these differences?

It has a lot to do with eating habits..

In Western cuisine, you will find meats served in large cuts such as steaks. Usually the person has to use the knife and fork to cut the meat themselves. This kind of food is more suited to being served for individual consumption.

In Chinese cuisine, whether it's meat or vegetables, it is standard practice to cut the meats or vegetables into small pieces and then stir fry them. A large Chinese cleaver is usually used because it's ideal for cutting large pieces of meat. After cutting the meat and vegetables into small pieces, they are usually cooked in a large wok. The resulting dish is therefore ideal for sharing.

Historical Environmental Reasons

Historically speaking, the natural resources for producing heat to cook food was scarce, Chinese people discovered that preparing the food for sharing allowed for efficient use of scarce natural resources. In the west, natural resources were plentiful and they could afford to cook each individual's meal separately.

Chinese Seating arrangement vs Western Seating Arrangement

Western Dining :

Usually the diners will sit with an equal distance between them and alternating in gender.
Couples usually sit a fair distance from each other.
The male host usually sits with the female guests, whilst the female host will sit with the male guests.

Chinese Dining :

The Chinese adopt a more symbolic arrangement, the round table signifies a centripetal force towards the center. The platform in the middle can be rotated.
Couples usually sit together.
The most distinguished guests (could be leaders or elders) usually sit facing the door, whilst the male and female host usually sit with their backs to the door.
When the dishes are served, they first placed in front of the hosts, who then rotate the food towards the distinguished guests to eat first.

The Chinese Toasting Culture :

Chinese White Spirit Alcohol

In China, a banquet is a very common occurrence and not only this, carries a predetermined and traditional etiquette. A normal person in China entering society and joining the work force will likely have a banquet every day. It is considered an opportunity for them to bond, build relationships and network.

It is considered polite and courteous to make toasts. This is also a form of hospitality.

Normally, the hosts of the banquet will make the first toast (they will also foot the bill entirely), this toast is usually to welcome the guests. The second round of toasts will be initiated by the guests who will thank the hosts for the hospitality. The next rounds of toasts will usually be to honor each other's families and the ladies. Each toast will be accompanied with a blessing speech.

After the distinguished guests and elders have made their toasts, the people of younger generation can then get up and begin the rounds of toasting starting from toasting the oldest, to the youngest in a clockwise direction.

When the younger generation make a toast to their elders, it is important that they hold their cup with two hands, and when their cups touch, the younger person's is lower than the elders. This is a sign of respect. It is also customary for the younger person to drink entire contents of the glass out of respect.

Growing up in a Chinese family, I learned all these customs and dining etiquette through my elders. Don't you find this dining culture very interesting?!

(Sources:1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11.)

亲爱的Steemit朋友们，最近我们聊了很多关于“吃”的事情，我想全世界的人没有不爱美食的^ ^但是你们有没有注意到在“吃”的文化里，东方和西方就有很大的差别？
与饮食习惯有关
西方人喜欢吃大块的肉，用烧烤或者煎的办法，上菜到自己面前，再用刀和叉自己切开食用，这样也就更利于分餐。东方人喜欢吃炒菜，无论肉还是蔬菜，都喜欢切碎了炒，而大刀比较方便切大块的肉，切开后肉的体积变大，所以用大锅炒菜，这样也就更利于合餐。
与历史环境有关
在古代，人们生活的地区燃料比较稀缺，中餐食物切细片，用深底锅烹饪，再大家一起分食，确实在一定程度上大大节省了燃料的使用。而西方国家不缺燃料，所以平底锅煎大块肉，并且煎一次为一人份。
西餐就座方式：
1.一男一女隔开坐2.伴侣拆散坐3.男主人右手边坐的是女vip，女主人右手边坐的是男vip
中餐就座方式：
1.中餐多采用象征圆满，充满向心力量的圆桌。2.伴侣一般坐在一起。3.最尊贵的客人（领导/长辈）坐在面对门的方向，男女主人坐在背对门的方向。4.上菜的时候也是从男女主人方向上菜，再通过转盘转到最尊贵的客人面前最先享用。
中国特有的敬酒文化：
在中国，宴会是非常频繁的，而且非常讲究礼仪。一个进入社会工作的人，可能每天都会有宴会。宴会是中国人交流感情，表示友谊的最高形式。敬酒是客气和好客的表现。宴会开始后的第一轮敬酒通常由宴会主人（也就是买单的人）提起，以欢迎客人为主题的敬酒。第二轮敬酒由客人发起，感谢主人的款待而敬酒。之后则会以家庭为单位敬酒、专或门敬女士酒，敬酒的时候也会自带敬酒词，多以祝福的语言为主。
在宴会里，等领导和长辈互相敬完酒之后，晚辈才可以起身，按照辈分由大到小顺时针围绕圆桌转一圈敬酒。晚辈需要双手举杯，杯子碰杯子的时候，晚辈的杯子要比长辈的低，代表恭敬。并且晚辈需要一口喝掉酒杯里的酒以表敬意。
这些都是我跟着家里的长辈在宴会里所学到的小礼仪，是不是很特别？

If you are interested in my other blogs related to Culture Exchange please check out these other blogs below=^ ^= The Anti-social way of Socializing in Asia.
Why you don't see Chinese girls wearing Bikini's at the beach?
The Marriage Dilemma.
Having a Naked Marriage isn't a bad idea at all！
China's leftover women - Single and not necessarily successful！
Lost in Translation - Filial Piety

A primer to the etiquette of dining. 餐桌上的“文化”。

What's the reason for these differences?

Western Dining :

Chinese Dining :

The Chinese Toasting Culture :