Wine makes daily life more comfortable, less tense, less hasty, and makes people more broad-minded. ?Similarly, wine can also bring a lively atmosphere to social situations that nothing else can bring. It can not only promote interpersonal communication but also relieve the stress in life.
The wine culture of China and Japan has a long history and culture. Because the two countries have different ideologies, their wine culture is different. For example, the Japanese like to drink sake, but the Chinese like to drink sake. Drink hard liquor. But whether it is joy, anger or sorrow, using wine to cheer up or relieve sorrow is not just something that happens in China. Since ancient times, Japanese people have also liked to express their emotions in this way.
Although wine culture has long been integrated into the culture of China and Japan, due to some cultural differences, wine culture has naturally produced some unique differences, and of course there is an inseparable relationship.
1. Differences in drinking culture between China and Japan
Wine is a lubricant for communication between friends. It can not only bring each other closer but also promote friendship. At the same time, wine is also an important part of traditional culture. The etiquette and attitude of various wines can well reflect the cultural characteristics of a country. The drinking cultures of Japan and China have their own characteristics, but they are related to each other.
1. Drinking is an important way for Chinese people to interact with each other
China has a history of winemaking for more than 6,000 years. In China, wine has become one of the main drinks in people’s daily lives. , a person's drinking etiquette reflects respect for the drinker. Who is the host and who is the guest have fixed seats, which is similar to Japan. At the same time, when toasting, the toast must start from the host, and the order cannot be messed up.
For China, drinking plays a very important role in traditional culture. Wine is used as a tool to communicate with people on most occasions. No matter what the occasion, As long as both parties continue to drink, the distance between each other can be greatly shortened. As the saying goes, on a good day, there is no joy without wine.
Most Chinese people like to drink without getting drunk, but Japanese people like to appreciate the beauty of wine through drinking vessels. They show respect for wine in different ways. At the same time, in China, the wine offered in sacrifices is offered to ancestors, but in Japan, they will enjoy the wine offered to gods together after the sacrifice, because they believe that this is the real food for gods and humans.
In general, with the changes of the times, China's wine culture has gradually evolved into the unique political and humanistic feelings of the Chinese people, and has become an important part of the Chinese nation's food culture.
2. Japan’s unique and exquisite wine culture
Although the hometown of wine is in China, Japan also has another unique development of its own. Japan is different from the enthusiasm and boldness of the Chinese, but it also has its own unique and exquisite wine culture.
At a Japanese wine table party, you usually have to wait until everyone is here before officially serving the wine. During the drinking process, you help me pour it, and I help you pour it, creating a wine atmosphere. The pleasant atmosphere at the table, even those who usually seem to be taciturn, will be completely different from what they are now.
But what’s amazing is that no matter how crazy they drink at night, they will put on clean clothes and go to work normally as if nothing happened the next day, returning to their usual self. Life. Because in Japan, if people see you wearing the same clothes today as you wore yesterday, they will be criticized and criticized.
In some more formal occasions, when toasting, the front label will be pointed towards the other person to show respect for him. Unlike us in China, in Japan there is no way to persuade others to drink, nor to force others to drink. Everyone can drink in the way they like.
Of course, if you are asked to drink, the first drink is acceptable, but you can politely refuse the second drink, which will not make people feel uncomfortable. At the same time, at the wine table, if you go to toast to your elders or leaders, you usually have to ask your peers to go with you, otherwise you will be gossiped about by your peers in private.
2. What are the hidden rules of drinking in Japan that you don’t know?
Everyone knows that Japanese people love drinking. It can be said that drinking has become an important part of Japanese culture. But gatherings at the Japanese drinking table are not just about drinking and chatting, but there are some big unspoken rules hidden everywhere.
If you understand these subtle unspoken rules, then I will be able to mix well in the wine shop. Next, let me tell you some unspoken rules on the Japanese wine table that you don’t know.
1. Don’t sit randomly at the wine table
In Japan, if there are some elders attending a cocktail party, everyone cannot sit randomly. The seats at the wine table are divided into upper seats and lower seats, and people are seated in order of seniority. Generally speaking, the location of the upper seat will change depending on the size of the room and geographical location.
Generally, senior elders, superiors, powerful people or seniors sit in the upper seats, while those with lower seniority and younger age sit closest to the door, which is the lower seats. At the same time, people with lower seniority cannot be higher than people with higher seniority when drinking.
Of course, if it's just a drinking and chatting session between friends, there won't be so many details. The main thing is to make everyone happy.
2. Don’t pour yourself wine all the time
At Japanese banquets, you generally don’t pour yourself wine all the time. Just like a famous saying in Japan: Pour yourself wine You can't get ahead. This is different from China. In China, people generally like to pour their own wine and drink it themselves. Unless there are elders or leaders present, they will pour wine for them. But in Japan, everyone pours wine for each other.
The Japanese custom of pouring wine starts with the newcomer pouring wine for the senior boss when he sees his glass is almost empty. This is also an opportunity for the newcomer to flatter his boss.
Later, when I saw the other person’s glass was empty, I would take the initiative to pour the wine. In this way, you help me pour the wine and I will help you pour the wine. The atmosphere at the wine table gradually became rich and harmonious. Therefore, at the Japanese drinking table, in order to create a pleasant atmosphere, each other pours drinks for each other.
3. The Japanese always drink beer as their first drink
At the wine table, everyone will order beer for the first toast, and then order other drinks, unless there is People who drive, otherwise there are no exceptions. If you are different from everyone else, even if they won't say anything to your face, it will make everyone think that you are out of tune and that you are someone who cannot read the air, that is, someone who has no vision.
3. Japanese Izakaya Culture
Most Chinese people may not understand or even be unfamiliar with the three words "izakaya", but this place is a unique type of nightlife for Japanese people. Life scenes play an important role in Japanese pop culture.
After a hard day's work, most Japanese office workers will gather in small groups at the izakaya, where they can enjoy a few delicious dishes and a few glasses of wine. People chatting and laughing can not only relieve work pressure but also enhance interpersonal relationships. Why not do it?
1. The early stages of the formation of izakayas
In early Japan, except during festivals, it was illegal for ordinary people to drink alcohol at other times. During the Warring States Period in Japan, when the country was prosperous, drinking houses for the common people gradually became popular. It was not until the Edo period that izakayas truly developed. This kind of wine house can not only drink alcohol but also fill the stomach, and is favored by most bachelors.
In the 1970s, Japan's economy began to enter a golden age. Japanese people who lived affluent lives, especially office workers, liked to gather in groups to have dinner at izakayas after get off work. In the 1980s, many izakaya chain stores opened. Not only did the variety of wine and food become more diverse, but the prices became more and more affordable.
2. The current development of izakayas
As izakayas become more and more popular, they have become the first choice for guests of different ages and statuses such as office workers, students, and foreign guests. Dining spots have become popular entertainment venues.
Nowadays, the types of izakayas in Japan have become diverse, with different styles such as family style, European style, kimono style, luxury style, etc. In addition, the cuisine characteristics are also divided into many types, such as seafood cuisine izakaya, local cuisine izakaya, and oden style. Izakaya and other izakayas with various characteristics.
But no matter what type they are, most of them continue some of the old style. If you want to have a deeper understanding of Japanese life, you can’t go wrong starting from the popular izakaya.
3. Common sense about izakaya drinking tables
After entering a pub, most Japanese people will order beer for the first drink. When ordering wine, the waiter will bring a side dish, which is similar to Korea. , but you will be charged whether you eat this side dish or not.
Secondly, although there is no legal requirement for drinking in China, adults must be over 20 years old to drink in Japanese izakayas, so most stores will check customers' ID cards before entering.
Then, if you go to a party, remember to take off your shoes and put them neatly with the toes facing outside the store. Don’t wear socks with holes. Otherwise, you will look bright and beautiful in front of others. He is a sloppy person.
Finally, the fish bones eaten at the wine table should be covered with paper to prevent others from seeing the discomfort. Also, don't stir wasabi in soy sauce when eating sashimi. The most important thing is that when drinking with friends in Japan, you will not be persuaded to drink. The usual cheers do not mean that the wine must be drank all at once.
4. Conclusion
China and Japan are both holy places of wine culture, and they have developed their own unique charm in their respective fields. As China's wine culture gradually develops, traditional culture continues to fade, and the social function conveyed through wine continues to increase. Japan's wine culture retains some elements of traditional culture and also plays a role in relaxation and entertainment.
The wine cultures of China and Japan are actually influencing each other, and they are constantly updated. Carrying forward better quality wine culture to the world can also promote further cooperation and exchanges between Chinese and Japanese cultures. Finally, the wine culture in different places has different values ??and rules. I hope everyone will follow the local customs and integrate themselves into this big family.