Everyone knows that each country or region has its own customs, habits, and cultural norms. When it comes to dining, it’s essential to learn about the local culture when abroad to behave politely, show respect, and avoid misunderstandings. However, many countries have peculiar rules that can be confusing for international friends.
Top 11 Dining Etiquette Rules Around the World
- 1. Slurping Food
- 2. Only Eat with Your Right Hand
- 3. Don’t Offer to Split the Bill
- 4. Eat with Your Hands
- 5. Don’t Touch Any Part of Your Meal with Your Hands
- 6. Don’t Ask for Cheese
- 7. Don’t Ask for Salt and Pepper
- 8. Don’t Put Food in Your Mouth with a Fork
- 9. Burp After Eating
- 10. Never Place Your Hands on Your Thighs While Eating
- 11. Don’t Use Personal Plates
1. Slurping Food
Normally, slurping food is considered rude. However, in Japan, especially when eating noodles and soup, slurping is seen as a compliment to the dish and the chef. In fact, the louder you slurp, the better! Additionally, in Japan, it is considered very rude to cross chopsticks, lick them, or stick them upright in a bowl of rice. These actions are frowned upon in Japan and many other Asian countries, including China.
2. Only Eat with Your Right Hand
Left-handed individuals may encounter some challenges in India, the Middle East, and parts of Africa. Here, eating with the left hand is considered unclean, so you are only allowed to eat with your right hand.
3. Don’t Offer to Split the Bill
In France, splitting the bill after a meal is considered the height of rudeness. You should either offer to pay the entire bill or let someone else take care of it.
4. Eat with Your Hands
In Mexico, using a fork and knife is considered pretentious, especially when eating dishes like tacos.
5. Don’t Touch Any Part of Your Meal with Your Hands
In contrast to Mexico, in Chile, touching food with your hands is frowned upon. Even with something like French fries, you should not eat them by hand. Similarly, in Brazil, pizza and hamburgers are typically eaten with a fork and knife.
6. Don’t Ask for Cheese
If you’re dining in Italy, never ask for cheese if it’s not served with the dish from the beginning. Adding cheese to your pizza is considered a “sin” among Italians, especially if you add it to seafood dishes.
7. Don’t Ask for Salt and Pepper
In Portugal, if salt and pepper are not available on the table, don’t ask for them. Requesting spices is seen as an insult to the chef’s seasoning skills.
8. Don’t Put Food in Your Mouth with a Fork
In Thailand, forks are used to push food onto a spoon. Putting food directly into your mouth with a fork is considered unusual.
9. Burp After Eating
In China, burping is seen as a sign of satisfaction and a compliment to the chef for a job well done. Intentionally leaving a bit of food on your plate is also considered polite, as it subtly indicates to the host that they have provided you with more than enough food.
10. Never Place Your Hands on Your Thighs While Eating
In Russia, resting your wrist on the table is considered polite, not placing your hands on your thighs. Additionally, always hold the fork in your left hand and the knife in your right while dining in the land of the Tsars.
11. Don’t Use Personal Plates
In Ethiopia, using a personal plate for eating is considered wasteful. Food is always shared from a single plate without the need for utensils – just use your hands.
