Abstract: This paper centers on the different seat arrangements at table in Chinese and Western cultures. As we face unfamiliar cultures and countries, some cultural conflicts might inevitably occur in communication, which will seriously affect the contact to be carried out smoothly. As a basis of ceremonies, table manners are the essential procedure in everyone’s daily life. And the seat arrangement has become a significant part of table manners in the intercourses between Chinese and Western people. By contrasting and evaluating the differences of seat arrangements between Chinese and Western cultures, we can avoid some misunderstanding of cross-cultural communication and raise cultural awareness in the cross-culture communication. 

Key words: Chinese and Western cultures; table manners; seat arrangement; difference; communication     

摘要：本文旨在对比分析餐桌座次安排在中西文化中的差异性。面对不同的国家和不熟知的文化，文化冲突不可避免地会产生，这将阻碍跨文化交流的顺利进行。餐桌礼仪作为仪式的基础，也是人们日常生活与交流中的一个重要环节，而座次安排即是中西餐桌礼仪中最为核心的部分。比较和研究中西餐桌座次安排的不同，有利于了解中西文化的不同，有利于跨越文化交际障碍并有效避免交际双方由于文化差异而产生误解。

关键词：中西文化；餐桌礼仪；座次安排；差异；交流