Overseas Food Etiquette

By Author: Steve Robinson
Total Articles: 468
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Savvy travelers are often better versed on how to uncover cheap travel options, including cheap airplane tickets, discount hotel rooms, and cheap vacation packages than on food etiquette that should be observed when abroad.

Respecting local dining etiquette rules can help make friends when traveling internationally. It demonstrates your openness and awareness of the fact that the people you are with may see the world differently.

The following are Budget Travel’s international dining etiquette tips:

• In Thailand any rice dish should not be placed in your mouth with a fork. Instead when eating a dish with rice, use your fork to push food onto your spoon. Stand alone items that are not part of a rice based meal may be eaten with a fork. Chopsticks should never be used at a rice based meal.

• In Japan chopsticks should never be left upright in rice. The proper way to put down chopsticks is to place them together parallel to the edge of the table. During Japanese funerals traditionally the rice bowl of the deceased is placed before the coffin with upright chopsticks in the rice.

• In ...
... the Middle East, India and parts of Africa it is not polite to eat using your left hand. Certain countries associate the left hand with bodily functions thereby considering the hand dirty.

• In Georgia it is considered rude to sip wine at a traditional feast. Wine is only drunk during toasts and then the whole glass is supposed to be downed at once.

• In Mexico tacos are never to be eaten with a fork and knife which is considered both silly and snobby. Eating with your hands is considered much more polite.

• In Italy cappuccinos are only to be drunk prior to noon. People who drink cappuccinos later are branded as tourists. Espresso is the preferred afternoon drink.

• In Britain one should always pass the port to the left. Passing a decanter to the right is a big gaffe, as is not passing it at all.

• In France bread is not to be eaten prior to a meal. Bread is to be enjoyed as an accompaniment to the entrée or with the cheese course at the end of a meal. Placing bread directly on the table and not a plate is preferred in France.

• In China it is considered bad luck to flip a fish once you have finished a side.

• In Italy do not ask for parmesan unless it is explicitly offered.

• In Chile do not eat anything with your hands. Many Chileans identify with European culture and expect food to be eaten with a knife and fork.

• In Korea you should raise your glass with both hands to receive a drink offered by an older person. Such behavior is a sign of respect for elders which is highly valued in Korean culture. Also, do not start eating until the oldest male has started and never leave the table until that person is finished.

• In Russia never mix or turn down an offer of vodka, which is always drunk neat.

• In the Middle East when drinking coffee, Bedouins shake their cup after drinking unless more is wanted.
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