好客(hospitality)是人们表达友好的一种方式，当亲朋好友来到家里时，人们会用各种不同的方式来表达自己对客人的友好和欢迎。笔者在给同学们讲课的过程中，提到了好客的问题，现就东西方之间不同的好客方式和大家分享。

　　Chinese:

　　n Prepare more food than is needed; They would feel embarrassed if the food tends to be not enough or even just enough.

　　n Keep urging guests to eat and drink more.

　　n Constantly put the best pieces of food on the guest’s plate.

　　n Take “No” as a polite form of “Yes”.

　　n It is acceptable to leave unwanted food on the plate.

　　n The guest is expected to say:

　　不好意思，让你破费了。

　　饭菜这么丰盛，又让你花钱了。

　　n The host/hostess may say:

　　“多多包涵” ，“不成敬意“。

　　“怠慢了您”。

　　“没什么好招待您的” 。

　　English:

　　n Prepare food according to number of guests, far less in quantity and variety, quite simpler.

　　n Leave the guest to help himself.

　　n Pushing alcohol is offensive.

　　n No is No.

　　n Leave unwanted food on the plate is rude to the host/hostess.

　　n If a guest accept the offer of food or drink, he is expected to finish it out of politeness.

　　n The guest is expected to praise the food out of politeness.

　　eg. Guest: Thank you for the delicious food.

　　Host: I am glad you like it. I cooked it especially for you.

　　Chinese hospitality in westerner’s eyes

　　n It’s a waste.

　　n They feel uncomfortable since it seems they cannot choose the food they like.

　　n They think Chinese host and hostess are impolite since they ignore their words.

　　n They may feel annoyed since pushing alcohols is offensive.

　　Western hospitality in Chinese’ eyes

　　n Ungenerous.

　　n Not hospitable.

　　n Not sincere and impolite.

　　基础部 王蕾