研究性學習

中美英人之間的交際習慣

一、空間距離

當人們進行交際的時候，交際雙方在空間所處位置的距離具有重要的意義，它不僅告訴我們

交際雙方的關系、心里狀態，而且也反映出民族和文化特點。多數講英語的人在交談時不喜

歡離的太近，總要保持一定的距離。有趣的是英國人與意大利人交談時，意大利人不停的“進

攻”，英國人不斷的“撤退”。實際上他們交談時都只不過是要占據對自己適當的，習慣的實際

距離。西方文化注重個個隱私，東方人“私”的概念薄弱。在電梯，巴士或火車上，素不相識

人的擁擠在一起，東方人可以容忍身體與身體接觸的那種擠，西方人無法容忍，西方人看中

寬松的氛圍，崇尚個人自由和個人權利，而東方人的傳統文化根深蒂固。

二、目光注視

在人際交往過程中，與交往對象保持目光接觸是十分必要的。

如果從美國文化角度來看，這種目光是不適用于兩個男人之間的，這種長時間凝視常常是同

性戀的亞文化群使用的非語言代碼的一部分。有教養的英國男子認為直接凝視且與之交往的

人的眼睛是一種紳士風度，中國人則對緊盯著自己看的目光感到不自在，甚至惶惑不安，原

因是“羞恥感"文化的影響，“非禮勿視”。

三、身體接觸

正像語言和姿勢可以傳遞人們的情感信息一樣，身體與他人的接觸在交際中也無時無刻不在

傳遞信息。人類學家把文化大致分為兩大類：接觸文化(touch culture)與非接觸文化

(nontouch culture)，阿拉伯人，南歐和西歐人、猶太人及拉丁語系的人屬于第一類，美國

人、北歐人及東方人屬于第二類。

(一)握手

在美國，男人之間的握手是很用力的，這可能源于印第安人的角力競賽。中國人一邊講“你

好”一邊握手，對此沒有什么忌諱

(二)擁抱與親吻

相對于東方較為含蓄內斂的文化，歐洲人在表達情感這方面明顯更為熱情和奔放。接吻在歐

美地區是重要的禮儀。

中 英 美

打招呼 “上哪去？” “吃了沒？” “Good

morning/afternoon/evening !

”“How do you do ! ”“Nice to How do you do ! ”“Nice to meet

meet you ! ”“How are you you ! ”“How are you doing ”

doing ”

“Good

morning/afternoon/evening ! ”“

稱呼 不可直呼其名，稱爺爺奶可以向爺爺奶奶直呼其名。可以向爺爺奶奶直呼其名。年

輕人稱老年人，可在其姓前加奶，稱呼家人、鄰居時稱 年輕人稱老年人，可在其姓

Mr/Mrs/Miss 稱呼家人，鄰前加Mr/Mrs/Miss 稱呼

居一般直呼其名 姨” 家人，鄰居一般直呼其名

天氣的狀況或預測 寒暄 可以詢問年齡，地址，工天氣的狀況或預測

“大哥”“二姐”“叔叔”“阿

作單位，收入，婚姻，家

接到電話先報自己的號碼或接到電話先報自己的號碼或單

庭情況，信仰等話題

單位 位

在打電話時，我們習慣說

“Hello who are you

plea ? ”

贊揚與祝賀 說一些謙虛的話，認為謙人們認為謙虛是虛偽的代名人們認為謙虛是虛偽的代名

虛是種美德 詞，應該大膽說出自己的想詞，應該大膽說出自己的想法

法

把客人送到門口甚至送微微一笑并作個再見的手勢道別 微微一笑并作個再見的手勢或

上車，客人對主人說“請或說“Bye bye”“See you 說“Bye bye”“See you later”

留步吧！”主人往往會說later”

“走好啊”“慢走啊”“下次

再來啊”等等

10 Major Cultural Differences Between China and the United States

It is always interesting to study other cultures and it is extremely important to do just that if you are going

to have interactions with them. You don’t want to insult someone or embarrass yourlf and your own

culture.

The differences do not make either culture better or wor than the other one. It just shows their

differences which has been created through centuries of history and development. China can trace their

traditions and customs for thousands of years. America is still a small babe of a nation that has had very

few traditions of its own but has become such a melting pot of cultures that there is almost no specific

American culture that can be said is applied across the board. This makes both cultures unique and

worthy of study and respect.

1. Social Structure – In China the social structure is formal and hierarchical. You know where you

fit in the structure and you abide by the rules there. There is no crossing into other areas. In America, it

is much more loo and informal. It is not uncommon to e tho of various social levels socializing

and knowing each other. There are very few lines that socially are not allowed to be crosd. This can

cau problems in business relationships if the visiting culture is unaware of it.

2. Confrontation/Conflict – If you are planning on conducting business in China or expecting an

extended stay, it might be uful to know that the direct way that most Americans approach issues is not

the way to go in China. Direct conflict or confrontation over issues is highly frowned upon. Doesn’t

matter that the “truth” needs to be spoken, respect and honor to each person superdes that. To prove

a point and show yourlf in the right even over business issues is considered shameful and should be

avoided.

3. Self – The Chine looks more at the group collective than at individualism. America has

become known for its push of individualism which has been a source of conflict with other cultures that

look collectively. A person from China is more prone to look at how their acts affect the whole instead of

how it affects them personally. They are more willing to give up and sacrifice for the greater

good. America’s individualism has been its backbone and the reason for its success as a world power,

but when visiting China it needs to be reined in.

4. Face/Reputation – Reputation of the individual is very important in China. If an action will

humiliate someone or ruin a reputation, it is avoided. When shame occurs, the person sacrifices their

job or whatever it is that will heal the shame. In America, reputations come and go overnight and in the

end usually does not matter. The end result is more of the focus. A person is more likely to overlook a

reputation to get the job done.

5. Business Relations – When doing business in China, be prepared for much

socializing. Business becomes condary as the parties get to know each better. If it delays a contract,

that is perfectly acceptable as long as the correct social time is allotted for. In America, business

associates are usually more aloof. There might be some social gathering but the business is more

important and the socializing will be sacrificed to get the job done if needed. Though there ems to be

shift in America regarding this. The recognition of networking is becoming more pronounced.

6. Morals – Chine society places high values on the morals of their people. Marriage is not

encouraged until the late twenties. In fact, dating is discouraged early in a young adult’s life and

proprieties are expected to be held up. The American culture is much more relaxed and some could

even argue that there needs to be more moral emphasize.

7. Recognition of the Dead – One of the time honored traditions of the Chine is the recognition of

the dead. Once a year, all members of a family visit the gravesites of each ancestor and pay their

respects. Honoring ancestors is very important in Chine culture. This is in direct contrast to most

Americans who rarely know where the majority of their ancestors are laid to rest. This might be due to

the fact that most Americans are immigrants who either have lost the information on grave locations or

the locations are in foreign countries. China’s culture is much older and the percentage of immigration is

far less.

8. Humility – Humility is a revered virtue in Chine culture. The success of one’s business or

personal life is downplayed while in America the success are lauded. Most Americans in the fast

business world consider humility a sign of weakness. This can be an issue that hurts inter-cultural

relations. Be very nsitive to comments and actions in the prence of another culture.

9. Time Sensitivity – Crossing cultures for business can be frustrating when it interferes with getting

the job done. Most Americans are very time nsitive when it comes to meetings and deadlines. If the

meeting was to commence at 2:00, then all parties are to be prent at that time. The Chine do not

view time as an absolute but more as a suggestion. Concern is not expresd for a meeting starting late

or ending at a different time. The same can be applied to deadlines. If a report is due on Friday, an

American would be waiting for that report to be received before end of business day. The Chine

would not worry if it showed up veral days later.

10. Respect – Being nsitive to another person’s needs is very important in Chine culture. It is

expected that you will respect the other person and treat them well. Their needs are met at each

encounter. This is a characteristic that unfortunately has fallen on the wayside in most American circles.

Communication habits rearch

We are conducting a survey on communication habits in different countries.

It is always

interesting and extremely important to study other cultures. It helps us remove misunderstanding and

have a better communication.

Plea answer the following questions completely

1. When you are on a crowded subway…

□you feel okay to stand clo to the pasnger on the subway.

□you hate being surrounded by so much people.

2. Two of you are having a conversation…

□You prefer to have eye contact with him/her. Why______________________________________________

□You do not like staring at others. Why______________________________________________

3. When you meet someone…

You will shake hands with him/her, if he/she is your colleague your boss a stranger

You will kiss him/her, if he/she is your family member your friend your child

You will hug him/her, if he/she is your family member your friend your child

You do no like to have any physical contact with others

4. What will you say when you greet your old friends

________________________________________________________________________________

some give you an compliment, you will say:

_______________________________________________________________________________________

el do you think differ between Americas, British and Chine on communication habits?

_________________________________________________________________________________________

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