Abstract：With the rapid development of international communication,different cultural factors are in crossover and collision,including misunderstandings,unhappiness,tension are of common occurance.All of these result from both sides don’t understand each others’ cultural norms.Culture of China and the United States have common points,there are also differences.Due to the cultural barriers can lead to information misunderstandings,even hurt each other.Therefore,studying the cultural differences and the correct behavior in cross-cultural communication has become a non-ignorable subject.

     This thesis will take the table manners of China and the United States as the theme,analyzing and comparing from seat,tableware,dining etiquette of three aspects between table manners of China and the United States and trace its roots.Full text consists of four parts:1.The custom culture connotation and characteristics.Due to the differences between the geographical position and lifestyle,there are differences in the social relationships,values and moral standards,social customs and social etiquette. 2.Differences in eating habits of China and the United States.This article gives a detailed description of eating habits in China and the United States to illustrate the differences in diet concept ,taste in food and nutrition,food and tableware of two countries. 3.Differences in table manners of China and the United States.The differences between Chinese and western culture make the differences in Chinese and western food culture and table manners culture.Chinese pay more attention to the “nature and humanity”,westerners focus on “people-oriented”.This kind of the difference in value concept form lots of very distinctive characteristic of Chinese food. 4.Cross-cultural communication strategy.In cross-cultural communication,understanding the differences between Chinese and western culture can make us communicate with westerners better and do more help to cultural transmission,at the same time,reflects the diversity of culture.

Keywords: China and the United States; table manner; difference; cross-cultural communication