Etiquette China

Name: Etiquette China
ISBN: 9787303273171

海英Beijing Normal University Press · ChinaApr 2024

3.4

Word count: 134K words
Chapters: 25
ISBN: 9787303273171

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Summary

Etiquette is an important part of China's fine traditional culture, and China has been known as a "land of etiquette" since ancient times. Li (ritual) and yi (etiquette) each have their own meaning: one instills virtue within, the other gives it outward form. Through thousands of years of Chinese civilization, etiquette has long been a key calling card by which the world knows China. Etiquette has drawn the Chinese nation together, strengthened its sense of identity, and shaped the distinctive character of Chinese culture.

The author, Hai Ying, has long worked in etiquette education and training and has devoted more than twenty years to the study of traditional Chinese etiquette. Organized around walking, standing, sitting and lying down, speech and conduct, and receiving and seeing off guests, this book gives a comprehensive account of traditional Chinese etiquette and its cultural background, helping readers appreciate the essential value of traditional etiquette. The author also pays particular attention to making etiquette useful today, selecting from its many aspects those with contemporary value and explaining them in detail so that readers can put them into practice.

Editor's review

Etiquette China is not a rigid rulebook but a thorough and warmly written survey of Chinese etiquette by Hai Ying, grounded in deep historical and cultural learning and insight into modern life. Its distinctive value lies in the way it deftly combines the "form" of etiquette (outward codes of conduct) with "li" (its inner spirit), avoiding mere preaching. Starting from everyday settings—family life, workplace interaction, dining and socializing—the author traces the cultural origins and philosophical thinking behind them, so that readers understand "why it is done this way," not merely "what one should do." This approach, moving from the surface to the core, makes traditional etiquette no longer a constraining dogma but a wisdom that enhances personal cultivation and smooths social relations. In an age of information overload and dramatic change in how people socialize, this book is like a gentle wake-up call, reminding us to attend to the respect and goodwill behind our actions. Its content is solid, with both classical quotations and vivid examples, and its plain, fluent prose is both informative and readable, offering contemporary readers a highly valuable framework for rediscovering and practicing Chinese etiquette.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Readers who want a systematic understanding of the origins and modern applications of traditional Chinese etiquette culture
People in education, culture, service or international work who need to improve their professional conduct and social skills
General readers interested in personal cultivation and family culture who seek to improve their interpersonal relationships
Parents or youth educators looking for a reference book on etiquette education

Not a good fit for

Readers seeking quick-success formulas or a purely Western step-by-step guide to business etiquette
Readers expecting extensive photo demonstrations or an extremely simplified checklist of rules

Reading tips

Read the preface and first chapter first to grasp the author's core definition of "etiquette" and the book's overall tone
Choose chapters relevant to your own life or work for close reading and reflection; there is no need to follow the order strictly
Take notes as you read, recording ideas that resonate with you or small suggestions you can apply right away

About the publisher

Beijing Normal University Press China · Founded in 1980

Beijing Normal University Press has a distinct focus on educational publishing, with basic education textbooks and teacher education materials forming a major part of its list, extending to preschool, children's, and vocational education. In the humanities and social sciences, the press has released the ten-volume General History of Foreign Educational Thought and other series on the history of education, as well as translations in Marxist philosophy such as Marx's Theory of Alienation and The New Dialectic and Marx's Capital. It has also published The Interpretation of Dreams, the ten-volume Collected Works of Kunio Yanagita, and studies on Ming-Qing society and ritual. Its authors include Bertell Ollman, Christopher J. Arthur, Shan Zhonghui, Zhang Binxian, Wu Shiying, and Zhu Xudong. Its common categories cover Marxist philosophy, social culture, foreign literature, education, and philosophy, balancing academic depth with general reading.

版权信息
壹举止仪表篇
坐容
立容
色容
行走
衣冠
贰向位礼仪篇
宫室建构
方位尊卑
叁社交礼仪篇
跪拜礼
见面礼
拜见礼
待客礼
肆饮食礼仪篇
进食礼
箸之礼
乡饮酒礼
伍人生礼仪篇
诞生礼
冠礼
笄礼
昏礼
主要参考书目

FAQ

Is the etiquette in this book outdated or too traditional?

The author focuses on explaining the "common sense" and "human feeling" behind etiquette rather than rigid old customs. The book analyzes many modern-life situations, aiming to offer basic principles of conduct and ways of showing respect that suit modern society; its core spirit is not outdated.

Is the content too theoretical to apply in practice?

The book tightly combines theory and practice. Each etiquette topic usually includes cultural background, an explanation of core principles, and specific behavioral suggestions, with examples drawn largely from real life, making it highly practical.

Is it suitable as a book for teaching etiquette to young people?

Very suitable. The language is accessible and the principles are explained clearly, and it covers everything from personal appearance to family and school socializing, helping young people build a good foundation in etiquette. Reading and discussing it together with parents or teachers works best.

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About the author

海英 Author

Public information about Hai Ying is currently limited, and details such as nationality, dates of birth and death, education, and professional experience have not been clearly recorded and remain to be verified. Judging from the two works held in the collection, Hai Ying's writing spans the fields of culture and medicine; the subjects differ markedly yet both stay close to daily life. Ritual China explores Chinese ritual culture, tracing related traditions and everyday etiquette, while Can't Sleep? Chinese Medicine Can Help addresses sleep problems, offering conditioning approaches and practical suggestions from the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine. Both books are written in accessible language and emphasize practicality, targeting general readers rather than specialists, which suggests that the author has engaged with both traditional culture and traditional Chinese health preservation and tends to convey knowledge in a plain, easy-to-understand manner. Because confirmed information about the author is very limited, a full picture of the writing style and overall influence is difficult to assess; readers may consult the two works above to understand the author's areas of focus.