As everyone knows, Occidental prefer go Dutch while having a meal in the restaurant and they don’t often entertain guests. But in China, people usually pay the bill and check out generously or often invite friend to dinner. A lot of Occidentals feel puzzled to this question. Such a difference can be resulted from the East and West culture and custom.
First of all, food systems between China and Occident are different. Chinese put into practice Gather Dining System; Occidentals put into practice Individual Dining System. Everybody can share the delicious food of all over the table when eating Chinese food, but Occidentals just eat the food in one’s own plate. That’s impossible for sharing under the Individual Dining System.
Secondly, Occidentals eat for the health; Chinese eat for the friendship. Westerners advocate individualism and independence and it is a way to express that respect for each other’s independence through go Dutch. Chinese like making friends and solidarity, they value the interpersonal relationships and friendship very much. Therefore, friend’s position is important in Chinese’s mind. The purpose that Chinese don’t go Dutch is doesn’t want to destroy the friendship between the friends. Dutch treatment is the stingy behavior in China, is unfavorable to the friends’ solidarity and is unfavorable to keeping the harmonious interpersonal relationship.
Third, it is only simple “Have a meal!” that Occidental entertain guests. It is not purpose that Chinese entertain guests, but it is the means. In Americans’ idea, “Have a meal” definition is to add fuel to the body for keeping health and normal life activity. Thus resist the attack of disease. That is to say, there is no any additional value.
In the Chinese idea, “Have a meal” not only is for maintaining the health of the body, but also is a kind of life enjoyment, even is the means to promote