28 eating etiquette disasters you need to avoid
Don'ts at the dining table
It’s important to know the don’ts of dining around the world to avoid offending your hosts.
Japan
You can cause quite a bit of offense when using chopsticks. Don’t point your chopsticks at someone while talking or lick your chopsticks don’t rub your chopsticks together or play with them unnecessarily don’t lift food by stabbing it with your chopsticks.
It’s absolutely imperative never to pass food with your chopsticks. This is the norm at funerals, during a ritual of passing cremated bones – very morbid, so please don’t do it. Similarly, never, ever, stick chopsticks vertically into a bowl of rice, this is another morbid symbol that could put someone off their dinner.
Rest the narrow, rounded ends of your chopsticks on the small ceramic holder, or hashi-oki, when you’re not using them. One way to signal that you’ve finished is to place your chopsticks across your soy saucer.
Argentina
There are some important rules about how you pour wine in Argentina. Be sure never to pour it backwards into the glass (holding the bottom of the bottle, instead of the body or the neck, as you pour), as this is seen as a "backhanded" statement that you really dislike the person, and they will be severely insulted. Don’t use your left hand to pour wine either, because you’ll be demonstrating the same thing.
Britain
Eating at a formal dinner party is all about poise and sitting up straight. When eating, always bring the fork or spoon to the mouth, rather than lowering your head towards the food.
Never put your elbows on the dining table when eating, and don't slouch either! This is all about politeness and formality during dinner. However, this rule has slackened over the years.
France
Splitting the bill is thought of as downright unsophisticated. Either pay for the whole bill, or let someone else pick it up.
Bread usually goes directly onto the table, rather than using a plate.
Italy
You shouldn’t pick up your cutlery until the most important person in the room starts eating. This could be your boss at a business lunch, or the host/ess at a dinner party, or the oldest guest.
You shouldn’t ask for extra cheese unless you’re offered it. The cheesy goodness on your pizza will have to be enough.
Cut, twirl, or spoon? That's the big question. Well, you'll never see an Italian cut up their spaghetti, and depending on the location, you may or may not be given a spoon to work your twirling magic. If you're eating pasta with Italians, be sure to separate a few strands of pasta from the rest using a simple twirling movement with your fork. They'll think you're a local in no time.
Mexico
If you travel to Mexico anytime soon, bear in mind that eating tacos with a knife and fork is a big no-no. It’s considered ill-mannered and foolish. Has anyone ever tried to do this anyway?
Tanzania
Punctuality will get you nowhere in Tanzania – you’re actually considered as rude if you show up on time for dinner. To be thought of as a decent guest, you need to show up 15-30 minutes late. Don’t smell the food either, that’s a real no-no!
India, Middle East, and some parts of Africa
Eating with your left hand is considered “unclean”. This is because your left hand is always the one you use in the bathroom… if you catch our drift.
Thailand
Thai people never put their fork in their mouths. Instead, if you ever visit Thailand, you should push food onto a spoon with the fork, and eat from the spoon.
Korea
It’s custom to accept drinks from elders with both hands – as a sign of respect.
Don’t start eating until the eldest male at the table does.
Russia
As the most popular spirit going in Russia is vodka, you should never turn the stuff down from a Russian. And don’t even think of mixing anything with the vodka, as you’d be dirtying its purity in their eyes.
China
Never point at someone using your chopsticks, this is considered a serious insult.
In most places around the world, burping at the table is thought to be rude or ill-mannered. But in China, if you’ve enjoyed your meal, burping at the dinner table is a sign of appreciation for the food. And slurping your noodles and soup is also the done thing too!
It’s bad luck to flip a fish over while cooking it. By doing so, you are apparently cursing the fisherman's boat to capsize.
America
When it comes to cutting up food, Americans tend to use the 'zigzag method' where after cutting the food, the knife is laid down and the fork is switched to the right hand from the left hand to eat the cut food.
Tipping in America is always tricky for people from outside the US. Now, of course, it's not mandatory if you don't want to. But, under federal law, tipped employees like waiters/waitresses and bartenders could earn as little $2.13 per hour. So your tip (between 15-25%) will be very much appreciated!
Chile
It’s not considered appropriate to eat anything with your hands in Chile, not even French fries! In fact it’s considered ill mannered. Brazilians follow this etiquette rule too.
Portugal
If salt and pepper aren’t already on the table, don’t ask for it! The chef will take it as an offense, as it looks like their seasoning skills aren’t up to scratch.
Philippines, Cambodia, Korea, Egypt
If you finish all the food on your plate, it can signify that the host didn’t give you enough food. So make sure you go to a dinner party half full.
Middle East
Don’t forget to shake your cup when you’ve finished drinking coffee in the company of Bedouin. Otherwise they’ll keep on pouring…
Bulgaria
Never turn up to dinner with yellow flowers, as this is a symbol of hatred. We hope this isn’t how you’d like to greet your dinner party hosts…
Article Source: https://www.msn.com/en-us/foodanddrink/foodculture/28-eating-etiquette-disasters-you-need-to-avoid/ss-BBwHRVv
Image Source: https://img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BBwHcxw.img?h=373&w=624&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f
VOCABULARY WORDS:
1. Imperative (adj.) ~ of vital importance crucial
2. Poise (n.) ~ graceful and elegant bearing in a person
3. Cutlery (n.) ~ knives, forks, and spoons used for eating or serving food
4. Catch my drift (idiom) ~ a marker to alert the listener (or reader) that there is an inference to be drawn
5. Capsize (v.) ~ (of a boat) overturn in the water
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION:
1. Have you ever visited any of the ｃountries mentioned above? What did you observe about the dining habits of the people there?
2. What are the customs on using chopsticks when dining in your ｃountry? Give some examples.
3. Are there some differences on table etiquette in Korea when dining with family and when eating friends or co-workers? If there is, describe them.
4. What are the important no-nos when dining in your ｃountry?
