Dining Etiquette Around the World

Dining Etiquette Around the World Dining etiquette plays a vital part in making a favorable impression. Whether you're sitting down with new friends, family or lovers there are always certain manners to follow. Below are a few basic table rules and guidelines from various countries around the world. China In traditional Chinese dining, dishes are communal with frequent use of rotating trays and round tables for easier sharing CHOPSTICKS AND SPOONS ARE USED AS UTENSILS It is considered bad It is impolite to use them to point, move bowls or plates, or bang When not in use, manners to dig through your food for something in particular chopsticks should be placed in a chopstick rest/holder or across Never stow chopsticks by sticking them vertically in rice as it is considered a dark them like drumsticks your bowl omen Always serve others first before In formal settings, alcohol is only consumed during toasts serving yourself It is customary to drink from your beverage during a toast even if it is not alcohol. During the first toast in the evening, all guests are expected to stand Also, it is considered impolite to take the last piece of food Buen Provecho Colombia Wait to be seated by the host. The host will say "buen provecho" (meaning"enjoy" or have a good meal") as an invitation to start eating COLOMBIANS DO NOT SWITCH WHEN NOT HOLDING UTENSILS, YOUR KNIVES AND FORKS WHILE EATING HANDS SHOULD BE ABOVE THE TABLE When you are finished, place your silverware parallel and horizontally across the plate The knife remains in Do not keep them in your lap; instead, rest your wrists on top of the right hand, and But do not put your the fork remains in elbows on the table the left the table 101 It is considered polite to leave a small amount of food on your plate when you have finished eating At the table, pass all dishes Do not use a toothpick at to your left the table El Salvador Salvadorans enjoy socializing and are extremely hospitable It is rude to leave immediately after Expect lively conversation during the meal, but don't Food is always eaten with utensils. Even fruit is eaten eating; stay for at least an hour after dinner to converse with your hosts and discuss business at social with a knife and fork events unless prompted to the other guests MEALS ARE SERVED AROUND A TABLE AND CHAIRS Guests should wait to be You should clean your plate but pace seated and to seat themselves yourself - You should try each dish and accept seconds if offered indicates a lack of humility Stand when anyone comes to the table, man or woman. It is considered common courtesy to stand and shake that person's hand. You may also be expected to stand when people leave Ghana Ghanaian table manners are relatively formal Elders of heads of family should be greeted first Guests should wait to be Do not begin eating until the told where to sit eldest male does FOOD IS GENERALLY SERVED FROM A COMMUNAL BOWL AND EATEN WITH THE HANDS Eat from the section of the bowl that is closest to you. Never reach across the bowl to get something from the other side If you eat with your hands then scoop the food with the thumb and first two fingers of the right hand. Do not use your left hand A washing basin will be brought out before the meal is served; use it to wash your hands Jndia Traditionally meals are served on a rug on the floor and people sit around in a circle, though dining tables are becoming more prevalent NO UTENSILS ARE GENERALLY USED IN INDIA IN FAVOR OF EATING WITH YOUR HANDS In northern India, only fingertips are used for eating Only your right hand is expected to be used while eating Wash your hands before Flatbreads are served and after eating, even if with the meal and using cutlery can be used to scoop or sop up food #1 THE ELDEST PERSON SHOULD BE SEATED FIRST AND YOU SHOULD WAIT FOR THEM TO START EATING FIRST Only take food you know you can finish eating Much of Indian food is vegetarian so try not to ask for any meat! Wasting food is extremely disrespectful Jialy Follow the lead of the host - They are the first to sit at the table, first to eat, give the first toast, and the first to get up at the end of the meal Remain standing until An honored guest Fork is held in the left Pick up cheese with you are invited to sit should return the hand and the knife in your knife rather down toast later in the meal the right hand than your fingers 10 It is acceptable to leave a small amount of food Always take a small amount at first so you can be cajoled into accepting a second helping Do not keep your hands in your lap during the meal; however, do not rest your elbows on the table either on your plate Japan In some private homes and restaurants, meals are eaten at low tables while seated on cushions on the floor instead of a table and chairs Thank you It is polite to say you gratefully receive the meal before eating and to say thanks for your meal after you finish eating Eating while walking around or in public is very uncommon and can be considered rude Bowls of white rice and Bowls of soup should be drunk from as if it were a Nigiri-zushi should be dipped upside-down so the fish noodles should be brought towards your mouth while eating to avoid spilling food cup while eating the solid food with the chopsticks enters the sauce Dishes where eating is too difficult with chopsticks, such as curry rice or rice Sushi and sashimi should be dipped into soy sauce poured into a separate dish rather than putting it directly on mixed with sauces, are often served with large spoons the food, and should be eaten whole Morocco Food is generally served at a knee-high round table or served on a carpet or mat on the floor around a large communal plate Eat from the section of the communal plate that is closest to you The guest of honor generally If there are bones in the sits next to the host and is Moroccan stew, suck out the offered the choice cuts marrow FOOD IS EATEN WITH THE HANDS Wash your hand with a washing basin before eating. Dry your hands on the towel Scoop the food with a piece of bread or thumb and first two fingers of the right hand Do not wipe your hands on your napkin provided Never put your hand into your mouth The washing basin will be brought around the table again at the end of because you will use it again to touch the communal food the meal Saudi Arabia Dining in Saudi Arabia is more likely to occur in restaurants and international hotels but people that are known well can be invited to the home Dining events will generally be same-sex only. If both Accept the offer of Arabian coffee and dates even if you sexes are included, they will be in separate rooms do not normally drink coffee IF THE MEAL IS SERVED ON THE FLOOR, DINERS SHOULD SIT Cross-legged Kneel on one knee Honored guests are often offered the most prized parts of a dish Utensils may be used if necessary or depending on the region If using your hands, eat only with the right hand as the left is considered unclean There is little conversation during meals so that diners may relish the food Alcohol and pork will typically not be available or included with the meal Conclusion Hopefully this brief guide gives you an idea at how utensils, seating, and common dining conventions vary by country and the importance placed around mealtime If you plan on traveling, be sure to research what the dining etiquette is before arriving SOURCES: Chef Works http://en.wikipedia.org http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2005.html http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette http://lifestyle.iloveindia.com/lounge/indian-table-manners-4076.html http://travel.cnn.com/shanghai/eat/5-chinese-eating-habits-explained-311204 http://www.etiquettescholar.com/dining_etiquette/international_dining_etiquette.html ............