Table Manners

What’s considered polite at the dinner table in one country might be considered rude in another country.

So to avoid embarrassing yourself or offending your fellow dinners, it’s good to know some basic dining etiquette before visiting a foreign country.

While it’s perfectly okay to eat a taco with your hands in Mexico, in Thailand, you’re expected to use a spoon  to put food in your mouth.

Africa

The people of Ethiopia have a tradition of hand-feeding each other, called gursha. It’s a gesture of hospitality that builds trust and social bonds between those sharing the food.

Europe

Diners in Europe never rest their hands in their laps; rather, they place their wrists on the table.

In Greek households, guests are often offered second and third helpings insistently. It’s a compliment to your host.

Middle East

In many Muslim cultures, people use only their right hand to eat.  Also, if you drop bread on the ground, pick it up, kiss it, and raise it to your forehead before putting it back on your plate. This shows respect for your food and the work that went into making it.

East and South Asia

In Japan and China, slurping your noodles shows appreciation for the meal. The host takes all the noise as a compliment. Placing chopsticks upright in your bowl of rice at the end of the meal is a faux pas . Instead, place them on your plate or use the chopstick rest.

Finishing everything on your plate suggests that your hosts didn’t feed you enough. “They’ll keep refilling it, and if they run out, they’ll be upset that they didn’t have enough food for you. And don’t refill your own glass, even if you’re thirsty. Fill someone else’s cup and wait for her to reciprocate.

Tipping your waiter at a restaurant in Japan is an insult. “It’s implying that he’s not making enough money and is thus treating him menially.”

In India, food is deemed contaminated once it touches your plate, so you shouldn’t offer anyone, even your spouse, a taste. Before the meal you’re expected to wash your hands and your mouth. Licking your fingers shows your host how much you enjoyed the food. Don’t say “Thank you” to your host at the end of the meal; it’s considered a form of payment. Simply return the favor by inviting her to dinner.

Central and South America

In Chile, taking a second helping is offensive. You must wait for your host to offer you more food.