【正文】 the Chinese speaker is showing modesty by denigrating himself, ignoring the factuality of the pliment paid to him. As has been mentioned selfdenigration has been at the core of the Chinese notion of politeness for over two thousand years, the Chinese showing modesty will go to such lengths as to denigrate what he himself has achieved and deny the truth of a plimentary remark. Another case is the attitude toward the problem of privacy in the perspective of politeness between Chinese and English speaking people. Privacy is valued in all cultures, but it is much more highly regarded in the Englishspeaking culture than in the Chinese culture. What is considered as an act of politeness in the Chinese culture might simply be regarded as an intrusion on a person’s privacy by an Englishspeaking person. Prof. Gu has rightly included “attitudinal warmth” as one of the four notions underlying politeness in the Chinese culture. To show warmth and concern for others is considered as a polite act in china. That’s why when two Chinese meet each other even for the first time。 they don’t like us to eat more. When Chinese contact with westerners, if they do not know these differences, certainly will lead to misunderstanding. The ways to respond to apologies are different, too.A: Oh, I’m sorry. I forget it.B1: It doesn’t matter.B2: That’s all right.B2 is westerner’s answer. B1 is a Chinese person answer “It doesn’t matter” is a translation of “沒關(guān)系”from Chinese, which is a mon pattern in Chinese to respond to apologies. If a Chinese uses this to respond to apologies, westerners will think that he is a sharp person, who even cannot forgive a very little wrong thing. Thanks and Responses“Thank you” is widely used in English to show gratitude in such cases as being invited, helped, given a gift, etc. Cultural differences exist between Chinese and western in how to express thanks and responses. In fact, “Thank you” is used in English for more than acknowledging favor or gratitude, and it is often a means to show politeness. On many occasions, the Englishmen use this utterance while the Chinese may say “有勞您了。”If translate this into English “I just made some dishes casually and they are not very tasty.” Perhaps the foreigner will think why you invite me to you family and have the bad food. You doesn’t respect me at all. The Englishspeaking people are more active to praise others and to be praise than Chinese people. For example, the American are “straight forwardness”, the Chinese take pride in “modesty”. That modesty has left many a Chinese hungry at an Americans table, for Chinese politeness calls for three refusals before one accepts an offer and the Americans hosts take ”no ” to mean “no ”, whether it is the first, second or third bigger differences exist in people’s attitude towards pliments, ., in the response to pliments. Chinese tend to refuse it, although they do feel fortable about the pliments. So many westerners simply feel puzzled or even upset when their Chinese friends refuse their pliments. Because The Chinese people regard modesty as a most valuable virtue, so they seldom agree to the pliment on their own. and ResponsesIf wrong things are done, there must be apologies .As to how to offer apologies?！薄皩?duì)不起，占用你不少時(shí)間?！薄澳阋欢ɡ哿耍琰c(diǎn)休息吧，我要告辭了。 Differences AcknowledgementsFirst of all, I wish to express my earnest thanks to my tutor Jane for her constructive guidance, insightful perspectives, inparable patience, and valuable advice. What I especially want to say is that when Jane went over my initiative, second and third drafts, she was critical and strict, but caring and loving at the same time. Owning to this, I benefit a lot from her and have broadened my horizons, as well as enriched my mind.Secondly, I am indebted to all the teachers who have taught me during my four years of college life. Because of their industrious work, I gain my English proficiency step by step.Last but not the least, special gratitude goes to my dear family for 23 years of constant love, consistent support and ardent expectation for me.Finally, I hope to show great thanks to my classmates and friends who always give me encouragement, concern and suggestions. They make me feel that I am surrounded by pure and dense friendship forever. Sincere thanks to you all.ContentsChinese Abstract……………………………………………………………………………………………..IAbstract………………………………………………………………………………………………………..IIAcknowledgements………………………………………………………………………………………...IIIIntroduction………………………………………………………………………………………1Chapter I Some cultural differences between China and Western with respect to politeness……………………………………...………………….………..3 Addressing differences…………………………………………..……….................3 Greeting and parting differences……...………………………………………….…3 Compliments and Responses differences………….……..……………………..….4 Apologies and Responses differences………………..……………..…………..….5 Thanks and Responses differences………………………………………………… Asking Personal Affairs differences……………………………………………….Chapter II Different cultural factors result in cultural differences with respect to politeness...............................................................................................................6 Different culture origins.....................................................................................6 In the Englishspeaking countries, politeness has been related to a certain social location and a certain social group.………………… ……………….…6 In modern Chinese, the concept of politeness have evolved in history from the notion of li …………………….…………..…7 Different cultural values…...……………….………………………………..…….8 Different understanding on politeness and standards for politeness judgment…..………8 Different attitude toward the problem of privacy in the perspective of politeness………………….…..…9 The different attitude toward Individualism in the perspective of