Abstract:Etiquette is a rule people must observe and a foundation stone in the social intercourse. Both China and western countries attach great importance to social etiquette. The thesis compares and studies the differences of social etiquette in daily life between in China and Western countries on a specific aspect, and discovers the commonalities, clarifies factors that influence differences. On the basis of experiences summed up by our predecessors, this thesis puts forward the strategies to improve social etiquette. By improving social etiquette, we thus can obtain an effective communication. Additionally, the way of amalgamation—recognizing, respecting and appreciating cultural differences has been found and discussed. Standing on the shoulders of giants, we share the commonalities and comprehend the differences. Several approaches for communicative improvement put out here deserve our attention. With an aim to achieve an efficient intercultural communication by the way of enhancing overall social etiquette, social etiquette plays a great role to guide and improve communicative competence. 

Keywords: Social etiquette; commonalities; amalgamation; intercultural communication;  communicative competence

中文摘要:礼仪是社会交流活动中人们必须遵守的规则，是人际交往的基石。中西方国家都给予社交礼仪高度重视。本文尝试从社交礼仪这一具体角度， 通过对中西方国家社交礼仪在日常生活各方面表现的比较，发现差异，寻找共通点，阐释影响差异的主要因素。基于前人的经验，本文提出提高社交礼仪的策略。通过提高社交礼仪，从而实现有效社会交际。本文进一步发现和讨论了融合之道——承认，尊重和欣赏文化差异。站在巨人的肩膀上，我们分享共同点，理解差异。若干有关提高社交的策略值得引起我们的注意。通过全面提升社交礼仪而实现有效的跨文化交流，社交礼仪对交际能力有积极的帮助意义和指导价值。 

关键词: 社交礼仪；共通点；融合之道；跨文化交际；交际能力