中西方餐桌礼仪英文_7413924.pptVIP

The role of the host When a guest is invited to a home for dinner, probably the most important job o the host is the preparation of the food. At a typical western guest dinner there are three different courses: a starter/appetizer, such as soup, fruit and juice or salad. The main course, and the dessert. Much western food can be prepared in advance, and the main meat dish often needs cooking for an hour or more. So compared with Chinese food, the host has relatively little last minute cooking to do. When the guest arrives, everything is usually almost ready, and when the meal is served, the host sits down at the table with everyone else. At a typical western meal people have their own individual servings of food, and compared with a Chinese meal, there is much less variety and smaller quantities. When everyone has finished the appetizer, the host may occasionally offer some more, but often simply collects the dishes and serves the next course. When the guests have almost finished everything on their plates, the host will offer them some more. Then when it seems that everyone has had sufficient, the plates and dishes are collected and removed to the kitchen. Often most of the food on the table will have been eaten. After this the dessert will be served. It is not usually polite to smoke at the table during a western meal. When the whole meal is over, it is common for the host to suggest that everyone moves to more comfortable chairs, such as in the sitting room, to have some tea or coffee, or more alcoholic drinks. People then chat there until the guests decide to leave. The role of the guest When people receive an invitation to someone’s home for dinner, one of the questions they may consider is whether they should take a present with them or not. Westerners seem to differ in their customs with regard to this. Age, religion and social background all have an influence, so it is difficult to make generalizations. Many people take no present at all, esp. if they expe