西方礼仪(Western Manners)
1. Meeting and Greeting People
1) Greeting
The simplest thing to say is "Good morning," "Good afternoon'"
or
"good evening." This greeting is given to one whom you know
only
slightly, or to any one you are passing quickly. "How are you"
is
usually used when you are not in such a hurry. No answer is
expected
other than " Fine, thank you." "hello' is the commonest form
of
greeting between good friends.
2) When a Man Raises His Hat
If you are wearing a hat which can be taken bold of easily, it
is
customary to raise it slightly off your head when you greet a
girl
or a woman.
3) When to Shake Hands
It is customary to shake hands when you first meet someone.
And
usually friends shake hands when they meet after not having
seen
each other for some time. However it is not necessary to
shake
hands.
4) Use the person's Name
It is always good form to use the name of the person you are
greeting. You might say, "Good Morning, Mr. Moncrieff" or "
Hello,
Franklin.," A person's surname should be used unless he is
good
friend or school-mate.
2. Introduction
1) How to Introduce People
In introducing two people, the general rule is: Introduce
other
people to the person you wish to honor. The old are honored in
the
West as in China. Women have been honoured in the West since
the
days of knighthood(骑士时代).
2) Rising at Introduction
A man always rise for an introduction, except that it is
sometimes
all right for an elderly man to remain seated when a young man
is
introduced to him. The hostess always rises for an
introduction.
3) Introducing Yourself
If you want to meet someone, it is better to ask a friend who
know
him to introduce you. But sometimes at a meeting or gathering it
is
all right to introduce yourself to a fellow-student, or to one
of
the same sex and position.
3. Invitation
1) You Must Reply to an Invitation
Foreign custom is much more strict than Chinese custom in the
matter of replying to invitations. When you receive an
invitation
you should answer it immediately, saying definitely whether you
are
able to accept it or not.
2) Written or Verbal Reply
If the invitation is given by word of mouth, in conversation or at
a
chance meeting, you should answer at once whether you can come
or
not. If you cannot give an answer at that time, you may say, "May
I
let you know this evening?" Or some such words.
4. In the Home
1) The Right Time to Arrive
When invited to luncheon, dinner, or supper, it is very impolite
to
arrive late, as it is usually planned to have the meal at the
exact
hour given in the invitation.
2) In arrival
When you arrive, the hostess or some member of the family
will
probably meet you at the door and take your coat and hat. In
the
winter time you should dress more lightly than usually, as you
may
expect the rooms to be warmer than in most Chinese homes.
3) In a few minutes the hostess will ask her guests to come in
to
dinner. She may or may not ask each gentleman to take a lady in.
If
she does, the lady will take the gentleman's arm as they walk
into
the dinning room. If she does not, the ladies will go in
first,
followed by the gentlemen. The hostess will either point out
their
seats to the guests as they come in or have a
place card at each
place with the guests name on it.
4) How Long to Stay
After the meal is over it is not polite to leave for at least
half
an hour, lest you seem to have come only for the meal. An
evening
dinner invitation usually implies that you stay for the whole
evening. The hostess often plans some after-dinner
entertainment.