中英（英语国家）文化习俗比较读书笔记 胡文仲

You do know the differences

     At the first sight of this book, I was deeply attracted by the title of the book named The Comparison between Chinese cultural customs and English cultural customs.It was written by Hu Wenzhong.

    The following is about the main content about this book. It comprises different aspects of customs, such as Naming Customs, Appellation Customs, Greetings Customs, Introducing Customs, Meeting etiquette, Visiting Customs, Gifts Customs, Thanks and Apology, Praise Customs, Taboo Customs and so on. It totally explains the content and comparison of different cultural customs. Each chapter includes three points, the first point is the Chinese customs; the English customs is the second; and the last one is about the difference.

     The three most impressive chapters is Thanks and Apology, Praise Customs and Taboo Customs. Thanks and Apology is the significant part and standard of behavior in our daily communication. It can affect the relationship among people. It also contributes to the Civilizing Process. Thanks for other people's help is a normal and kind manners. The degree of thanks differ from objects. For example, "thank you! Many thanks! Thanks a lot! Thank you very much! Thank you very much indeed! I really don't know how to thank you enough." Actually, English-speaking countries do not prefer to thanks too much considering the Principle of Proportionality. It seems to be fake if you thank others frequently. As for Chinese culture and customs, not in all cases, thanks is always necessary. If two persons has intimate relations, perhaps thanks will make people alienated. People often misunderstand Apology as a sign of humiliation. The expression of western countries' apology can be divided into three types. The first expression is used to convey the feeling of regret. For instance, "I'm sorry". Asking for forgiveness is the second type. For example, "please pardon me." Last one is Apology. We say"I apologize." Sometimes they would explain the reasons that why I make the mistakes. However, in this regard, Chinese culture quite distinguish with English culture. Chinese people thought that it's more important to take the responsibilities than excusing too much.

      Praise Customs also constitute the human civilization. A sincere praise could make a good impression on people around you. And your friends could also benefit from your praise. Chinese people are more pleasure to hear others' praise. They regard it as a sense of affirmation. A famous expect has ever reported that three differences exist in two cultures.

      lexicologically , of all the compliments in their data, 80 percent are of the adjective type and 16 percent make use of verbs. However, in Chinese, positive words expressing compliments are mainly adjectives,adverbs, and verbs. Another linguistic feature of Chinese compliments is that many of them start with the pronouns "you" or "your",while in English compliments the pronouns "I" is more often to be used. As to the responses, which vary greatly in different situations. Among the intimate or good friends, it's same to react as casual way in both cultures. But in formal occasions, English people tend to accept the compliments. The Chinese choose to respond on and off the scene. Modesty is consider as a kind for Chinese traditional virtue.

     Taboo can be defined as avoiding to use some unsuitable words and expressions because of regional and social reasons. Interrupting or visiting people without informing ahead is also an impolite behaviour in both culture. You should make others learned if one thing is called off. It don't allow to talk about five things in the communication of English countries, such as family, personal experience, marriage, age, health. Concerning the eating customs, China pay more attention on what we eat rather than how to conduct oneself.

     In English culture, people always wouldn't kill any animals which are the symbol of religions. Last but important one is taboo of colour. One example is given. White is a sad colour in our Chinese eye. It's usually used in the ancient funerals. But western people thought white is equal to pure and loyal. You can see it in marriage parties.

     After finishing reading the book, I have more deep understanding about different cultures and customs between the west and east. Indeed, if you have little knowledge of both culture, you would easily suffer from the culture shock. Although every chapter is specific enough, it still lack of interesting topics and examples. And there are less logical relations. It seems a little complicated and disordered. In all cases, politics, culture, thought pattern, eating, dressing, daily communication, I need to further study the detailed information.

     It is the comment on the content of the book. If you ask me about our opinions on the different customs in two cultures. I can answer you according to what I know. Chinese is a country of a long history. Instead of religious and social reasons, all sorts of customs came into being thanks to fairytale or politics.

                                                           JoJo