Subject:

TABLE MANNER IN DIFFERENT CULTURES

VIT NAM AMERICA

TABLE OF CONTENT
I.

Introduction
1. Rationale 1
2. Aims and purpose of the study...1
3. Scope of the study..1
4. Methods of the study..1

II.

Development
1. Definition of table manner.2
2. Characteristics in American and Vietnamese table manner
2.1. Table manner in America.2
2.2. Table manner in Vietnam.7
3. Comparison between American and Vietnamese table
manner.
3.1

The similarities ..9

3.2

The differences...9

III. Conclusion...10

I.

INTRODUCTION

1. Rationale
Table manner evolve within culture and vary widely between different
cultures and countries. To some extent, culture permeates all cultural
customs including table manners. Any foreigner would encounter some
difficulties in intercultural communication and feel little baffled or a little
nervous about local cultural customs if they had no any basic knowledge
about table manner in a new country. Therefore, exploring about the
functions of table manner in intercultural adaptation and offering some
suggestion about how to enhance intercultural communication awareness
and intercultural adaptation and master some fundamental knowledge of
table manners is a new culture, so as to make people attach attention to
table manners and have better intercultural adaptation in a new culture.
2. Aims and purposes of the study
We concentrate on researching in characteristics and outstanding features
of American and Vietnamese culture, especially in table manner culture.
From there, it is easy for us to recognize differences and similarities of
both cultures by comparing them. Additionally, we can learn thoroughly
about good manners and bad manner in our own country as well as in
America. Therefore, we are able to avoid bad etiquettes.

3. Scope of the study

The scope of the study will be restricted in table manner of American and
Vietnamese culture.
4. Methods of studying
We use some method in this essay, for example:

- Analysis
- Comparison
- Exemplification
- Contrast

II.

Development

1. Definition of table manner

Table manners are the rules of etiquette used while eating, which may also
include the appropriate use of utensils. Different cultures observe different
rules for table manners. Each family or group sets its own standards for how
strictly these rules are to be enforced.
2. Characteristics in American and Vietnamese table manner

2.1. Table manner in America

American table manners are very crisp, sophisticated and class oriented.
However, with different cuisine going beyond boundaries, there has been
a lot of dilution in it, making it casual for the food lovers. American table
manner is probably the most popular table manner, which is, to a certain
extent, followed all over the world. Strictly or somewhat, we all follow
American table manner in variably. No matter how modernity must have
affected the manners, a special date, formal business meeting, special
family gathering all call for strict following of table manners in
America.
2.1.1. Table tools and table setting
Hosting a dinner party includes learning how to arrange the plates,
glasses and silverware on the table correctly. Arranging these items
according to American-style etiquette will ensure that each guest
has enough room to use her utensils appropriately and that the
setup will be especially appealing and impressive for those you've
invited to dinner.

Tablecloths and Place Mats

For a formal dinner, the tablecloth should extend between 10 and 15

inches beyond the edge of the table. Place mats are not viewed as
"formal" in American table setting, and are appropriate to add to the
table for breakfasts, lunch or brunch, or informal dinners. However,
place mats made from luxurious materials like silk or linen are fitting
for formal dinners; generally, it's best to use either a tablecloth or
place mats for the table.

Utensil Basics

There should never be more than three utensils on each side of the
plate on an American dining table. During a formal dinner, it may be
necessary to present guests with additional utensils for cutting meat,
shelling seafood or enjoying dessert. However, these should be
distributed when the courses requiring special dining tools are served.
Utensils for the appetizers and first courses should be placed furthest
from the plate, so that guests will have to "work in" to use subsequent
utensils for additional courses and dessert.

Forks, Spoons, and Knives

Silverware for an American table setting is arranged with the forks on
the left of the plate; knives and spoons are on the right of the plate.
Both the salad and fork are standard for American table settings;
moving from the left of the plate, the fork is placed furthest from the
plate and the salad fork is closest to the dinner plate. If there is a fish

fork, it is placed furthest away from the plate, so that the entre fork is
in between the fish and salad forks. From the right of the plate, the
soup spoon is located furthest right and the dessert spoon is placed on
the left side of the soup spoon, closer to the plate. Knives are
positioned before the spoons on the right side of the plate; meatcutting knives are positioned directly next to the plate, the fish or
seafood knife to the right of the meat knife and butter knives to the
right of the seafood knife. If there is a dessert fork and knife, these
utensils should be positioned directly above the entre plate, with the
fork closest to the plate and the knife right above it; the dessert
utensils belong to the left of the glasses.

Plates and Glasses

Entree plates are positioned directly in front of each seat at the table.
Smaller plates for the bread or salad are placed on the left side of the
entree plate. In this case, the butter knife should rest across the bread
plate, with the knife's handle pointing to the right. Beverage glasses
should be set to the right of the entree plate. If wine and water are
served at the meal, the wine glass should be placed precisely above
the butter knife. Cups for coffee or tea belong on the main plate's right
side as well; if there isn't adequate space, the cups for hot beverages
can go above the place setting on the right side.

Napkins
Cloth napkins are appropriate for a formal dinner. The napkin can be
draped across the entre plate and removed by the guest before the

main course is served; alternatively, it can be set on the left side of the
forks. Once all guests are seated at the table, it is proper etiquette to
unfold the napkin and place it on one's lap before eating.

2.1.2. Habits and etiquettes

In the United States, for instance, there are two very important points
to keep in mind: keep your elbows off the table and put the fork in the
right hand. Although the European custom of placing the fork in the
left and the knife in the right hand during a meal is spreading
increasingly in the States as well, the correct way is still to cut a piece
of food with your fork in the left and the knife in the right hand, then
lay your knife on the table and put your fork in the right hand to eat it.
You should never cut more than 2 morsels at a time. Do not be
surprised if you see an American cutting his food with the side of the
fork instead of using a knife: this is also an accepted table custom.
Small items, such as peas, are to be picked up with the fork only,
without using the knife for assistance. Corn on the cob is eatten with
specially provided corn skewers, but it is not as easy as it seems: the
corn should be buttered up two rows at a time, and then these rows are
to be eaten neatly before buttering up the next rows.
Also, fingerbowls are common in the States: these are not for
drinking! Usually served with a slice of lemon, you are expected to
dip your fingers in them lightly during and after your meal, and then
dry the fingers with your napkin. If someone asks to pass the salt, you
should pass both salt and pepper by putting it on the table and in reach
of the person next to you. This person then picks it up and passes it on

to the next person and so on. The salt and pepper is never passed from
hand-to-hand but always by setting it on the table. Also, you should
not serve yourself from the salt or pepper when you are passing it
along. It is also considered impolite to use salt before having tasted
the food as it implies the host does not know how to season correctly.
Also be careful of how you place your cutlery during and after a meal:
in Europe, fork and knife placed parallel to each other on the table
indicate the end of a meal. In the States, it can indicate either the end,
in which case the fork and knife are placed parallel in the center of the
plate, or expecting to get a second serving, in which case they are also
placed parallel but on the right side of the plate to make room for
more food.
2.2.

Table manner in Vietnam

2.2.1. Table tools and table setting
The table setting comprises bowls and chopsticks, and small teacups
which are placed at platter. The custom of drinking plain, weak tea
with the meal prevails and all the dishes are brought to the table at
once.
2.2.2. Habits and etiquette
As a general rule the youngest person at the table has a few extra
responsibilities. He or she is in charge of distributing the bowls,
utensils and napkins. If the bowls have a little water or dirt in them, as
the youngest at the table, please kindly wipe it away. Additionally,
you should not pour dipping sauces directly into the rice bowl. One
hand should always be touching the rice bowl while eating even if the
bowl is not picked up. Polite convention demands using both hands
when offering or accepting anything--a dish, a cup or a pair of

chopsticks. A little polite nod is always expected when passing or

accepting something at the table.
It is generally considered more elegant to hold the chopsticks as far
away from the business ends as possible. This naturally requires more
skill and dexterity. A child learning how to use the chopsticks usually
begins holding the utensil closer to the business ends and migrates
upward with experience. In some situations, it is common to hold the
chopsticks at midpoint so that the chopsticks can easily be turned and
both ends can be used. The slim ends are used to put food into the
mouth. The thicker ends are used to pick up food from the communal
plates.
Chopsticks should not touch the lips, teeth or tongue .You should
avoid picking up more than one morsel with the chopsticks. Another
point to remember is that it is regarded crude to move food from the
communal plate directly to the mouth. The morsel should first be
transferred to the individual's rice bowl before eaten. There are not
hard-set rules for eating. You can eat and drink to your full. However,
it is customary to leave some food left in the communal bowls.
If you can use chopsticks please use them for eating, playing with
them is unacceptable. If you drop one or both on the ground, pick
them up and give them to someone, and take a new pair. Finally,
chopsticks should never be placed sticking straight up in a bowl of
rice.
Once food is done and everyone has stopped eating, in Vietnamese
culture this is a time to continue chatting and to have tea. If there is
still food left in the bowls, it is customary to leave the food there.

Going back for a second round after taking a break is not Vietnamese
style.

3.

Comparison
3.1.

The similarities

As well other countries, both Vietnamese and American try to

avoid talking with food in mouth, slurping food or eating loudly as
well as opening mouth when chewing. Furthermore, people should
not pick food out of teeth with finger nail etc.. They can be seen as
rude and impolite etiquette. Therefore, these rules are basic
manners for both countries to have.
3.2.

The differences

As mentioned above, the Vietnameses table tools are: bowls,

chopsticks, spoons, etc.. meanwhile the American accustomed to
using forks, knives, plates, napkins, spoon. Dishes are main
elements deciding what kind of utensils we use in meal.
For example, Americans use knives. They like to butter their bread
with a butter knife and cut up meat with a steak knife. If the meat
is tender yes they just use a fork to cut it up.
In Vietnam, typical dishes are often rice, vegetable, fishes, meat..,
it is easy for us to use chopstick to eat.

III.

Conclusion

From these above analysis and discussion, we may clearly know that the table
manners in different cultures reflect different cultures underlying value, and differ
in many aspects such as what to eat, how to eat, when to eat, and where to eat. It
seems like simple customs on the surface but there are sure to be a big problem in
intercultural adaption. Any individuals behaviors at the table during his or her
eating clearly show that his or her intercultural awareness and intercultural
communication competence are good enough to adapt to a new society and a new
culture. Anyhow, table manner can affect his or her success both in intercultural
adaption and professional careers. Therefore, any person cannot ignore learning
any table manners from a new culture before entering a new country.

Conferences

English materials:
1. Chen, guo- ming .( 2010). A study of intercultural communication
competence, China review Academic publisher( 218p).
2. Davis, Linell ( 2010) doing culture. Cross- cultural communication in action.
Foreign language teaching and research press
3. Hall Edward (1975). The silent language. NewYork publisher.
4. Xu, lingseng (2012). Intercultural communication in English. Shanghai
foreign language education press.

Vietnamsese materials:
1. L Thanh Bnh, on Anh Dng (2012). Giao thoa vn ho v chnh sch
ngoi giao vn ho Vit Nam. NXB Chnh tr quc gia.
2. Nguyn c Hng.( 2010). Vn ho Vit nam giu bn sc

Website materials:
1. http://www.etiquettescholar.com/dining_etiquette/table_manners/table_man
ner_tips.html
2. http://www.emilypost.com/everyday-manners/table-manners
3. http://www.vietnamtravelblogs.com/footprint-news-2/vietnam-tablemanners-guide-tourists.php