The Huffington Post , a US media outlet, introduced the world's table manners in an article "Dining Etiquette From Around The World" dated July 14. Here, I would like to introduce some of them.
1. Make a noise in your meal
This is an introduction to the manners of eating in Japan. It's interesting, so I'll quote the full Huffington Post article for this section.
"In Japan, when you eat noodles and soup, making a noise is a sign of gratitude to the cook who prepared the meal. The louder the sound, the better!
When you drink soup, you can put your mouth directly on the bowl. It is not common to use a spoon.
Chopsticks should not be crossed during meals. Don't lick the tip of your chopsticks. Do not stick chopsticks vertically into a rice bowl. These are considered very rude acts in Japan and other Asian countries, including China. "
Although there are some doubts about the phrase "the louder the sound, the better", isn't this statement generally correct?
The Huffington Post previously introduced drinking manners around the world, but in it introduced Japan's unique drinking culture as follows.
"In Japan, don't pour your own liquor into your own glass. Pour liquor into the glass of your neighbor and wait for that person to return."
2. Use only your right hand
In India, the left hand is considered an "unclean hand" and it is said that only the right hand should be used when eating. The Huffington Post article says so, but in my experience, this etiquette seems to be changing.
When I visited Bangalore, India in 2004, I witnessed a local Indian grabbing a McDonald's hamburger with both hands and eating it. I saw many people with hamburgers in their right hand and french fries in their left hand. It was almost the same when eating pizza and sandwiches.
However, Bangalore, where I stayed, is an area called "Silicon Valley of India". In other regions, the situation may be different.
3. Do not split the bill
In France, splitting the bill is considered a wild act.
4. Bread is close to a fork or spoon
This is also French culture. In France, it is said that you eat with something in both hands. "Something" is "fork and knife" or "fork and bread". French people use bread as a tool for placing food on a fork. This is the reason why bread is first served in French restaurants.
Bread is similar to a fork or knife, so it's good manners to put it on a table or tablecloth instead of on a plate when not in use.
5. Eat by hand
In Mexico, eating with a knife and fork is considered an expensive, no-nosed act.
6. Do not eat by hand
In Chile, touching food directly is considered a rude act. For this reason, Chileans say they eat French fries with a knife and fork.
The same is true in Brazil, where he uses knives and forks even when eating pizza and burgers.
7. Don't ask for cheese
In Italy, you shouldn't ask for more cheese unless you have special circumstances. In particular, asking pizza to increase the amount of cheese is considered a sinful act.
Also, if you make a mistake in Italy, don't ask for "ketchup".
I used to ask a clerk for ketchup when I was eating an omelet in Italy, and I had a blatantly disgusting face.
According to the clerk, many Italians consider ketchup to be "a vulgar seasoning in the United States," and asking for ketchup at a taste-conscious restaurant is an insult to the cook.
8. Don't ask for salt and pepper
In Portugal, salt and pepper are not placed on the table. But don't ask for salt and pepper. It would express dissatisfaction with the cook's seasoning.
9. Don't eat with a fork
In Thailand, forks are used as a tool to put food on a spoon. Also, chopsticks are not often used in Thailand. They say they consider chopsticks awkward.
10. Do not put your hands on your lap while eating
In Russia, it is believed that hands should be placed on the table during meals. Do not place it on your lap. Also, contrary to normal, place the fork on the right side of the table and the knife on the left side.
For other etiquette, see the Huffington Post English article "Dining Etiquette From Around The World."
