A Comparative Study Of Chinese And Western Alcoholic Beverage Culture

As a drink with very long history, alcoholic beverage roots deep in the material and spiritual lives of human beings and becomes a kind of cultural phenomenon manifesting distinctive nationality. As a sort of charming drink with peculiar color, changeable texture, fragrant odor, as well as the strength of easing one's mind, alcoholic beverage mirrors the soul of a particular nation and a universal spirit of human civilization as a whole. Therefore, it is possible and significant to conduct a comparative study of alcoholic beverage culture in China and in the West.Since culture is a complicated system with infinite components, the prerequisite for cultural study is to classify representative elements of culture systematically. The division of surface structure and deep structure of culture provides theoretical guidance for researchers. As Samovar points out, "it is deep structure that unifies a culture, makes each culture unique, and explains how and why behind a culture's collective action." By probing and analyzing elements of the deep structure, we can have a good understanding of national characteristics and the root of a culture. If we want to know more about ourselves, we should know more about others. The method of comparison offers us an effective way to get in touch with different cultures. In the process of comparison, characteristics of different cultures can be found out, native culture can be reexamined. Through comparison, both advantages and disadvantages of different cultures will be observed, which is beneficial not only for the cross-communication under the context of globalization, but also contributes to learning some lessons from the other culture to invigorate the native culture.This thesis firstly makes a series of comparison of Chinese and Western alcoholic beverage culture by following the steps of historical and social development of the two cultures. The comparison is systematic and wholesome, involving the following aspects, including the relationship between typical cultural products and cultural patterns, different significances manifested by alcoholic beverages, different roles of alcoholic beverages in two cultures, and different focus in alcoholic beverage drinking. Then, relevant cultural factors contributing to these differences are explored, such as values, religions and thinking patterns. Finally the conclusion can be drawn that it is these elements of deep structures of the two cultures that shape the essential qualities of national cultures and cause the distinct disparities of Chinese and Western alcoholic beverage cultures. They always hide behind cultural products and behaviors, relatively stable, and always serve as the underlying reasons for different manifestations of cultural values. An analysis of elements of deep structure through different observable manifestations of cultural values will enhance deep understanding of both alien and native cultures, develop mutual respect between them, and continue to add to the vigor of native culture in the process of cross-cultural communication.