A Comparison of Table Manners between China and Norway Based on the Power Distance Theory

Abstract

Table manners of work dinners are the epitome of the workplace’s culture. People’s different behaviors in work dinners in the presence of leaders can reflect their different attitudes towards power. This essay aims to study the different attitudes of Chinese and Norwegians towards power, and the theory framework is Hofstede’s power distance theory. The author used unstructured interview to collect data. And through comparing different behaviors of Chinese and Norwegians in the seat order, the feeling/atmosphere, communicating with leaders, the willingness of toast, and toasting behaviors, it can be concluded that Chinese and Norwegians have different power values. Understanding the power distance among different countries is beneficial to establish good relations in the international workplace, and it can promote the international communication.