|
 As soon as I came back from the US, I recovered my distance English studying in Beijing Foreign Studies University that was started from March, 2008.
I handed in my first assignment for the course¡°English at Work" on Oct 8. And I found that the teacher from the university has given me 92 scores today.
Now I copy my writing here and hope to hear your opinions. :-)
The Changes in Chinese People¡¯s Eating Habit
Comparing the 1980¡¯s, Chinese people¡¯s eating habits have much changed.
First of all, the purpose of eating has changed -- eating is not simply to fill people¡¯s stomachs already. Different people have had different purposes to eat.
For many teenagers and yuppies, to go to a Western restaurant for spaghetti, a hamburger, fried chicken, pizza or a sandwich is a fashion and one of their fashionable¡¯s symbolizations. For most of older generation of China, instead of worrying about food offer as they did in 1980¡¯s, they are focusing their attention on simple but sensible food. For many companies, eating not only offers a good business opportunity, but also it is a good time to show an enterprise¡¯s culture.
Secondly, the style of eating has change ? compare with 1980¡¯s, nowadays, eating time is faster, and eating way is simpler. The traditional sumptuous banquet has been replaced by some innovative contraptions. Chafing dishes are appearing on Chinese tables instead of the old 'eight courses. A soup allows diners to chat while they eat. Buffet is helping company to cut costs. Buffet is getting welcome.
Thirdly, people nowadays pay more attention to quality than quantity ? the products like low-fat foods, vegetables, bean products and ¡°black food¡± have all won over many older consumers. The foreign food, fast food, freeze and cold food are enjoyed by more and more young people.
Maybe you wonder why Chinese people¡¯s eating habits have changed so much. The root reason is because of the changing of the China¡¯s political and economic systems. The reforming and opening policy, the marketing economy rout has brought the ancient country a huge change.
China¡¯s strong economy power has not only offered food enough and in plenty so that people often confused as to just what you should be looking for in the crowded the marketing, but also, it has offered more and more new and advanced variety of cooking utensils used. Plus the opening mind of people, a great gastronomic revolution has started in China naturally.
More and more people are spending fewer and fewer hours in their kitchens; they are enjoying more and more delicious and high quality food.
 Anyway, in a fast-growing society, ideas on eating change day by day, along with the revolution is continuing, the new and much more changing of Chinese people¡¯ eating habits will appear along with the time.
If you have any questions, comments and suggestions, you are welcome to write to shirley@ebridge.cn or shirleyz004@yahoo.com.
Shirley Zhang
Oct 28, 2009
|
Lives
