table manner

*1- NEVER, EVER, NEVER leave your chopsticks

sticking vertically in a bowl of rice

* Growing up, my mother used to tell me it was bad luck to stick your chopsticks

into your rice. Even to this day when If I see someone sticking their chopsticks
in their rice, I have to hold back the urge to grab them and lay them flat on
their bowl or plate. Many countries in Asia believe it is bad luck including
Thailand, Taiwan, Japan, China and Korea to name a few. The reason it’s
considered taboo is because during funerals, bowls of rice with chopsticks
sticking straight out of them are offered to the dead. Passing food between
chopsticks is also taboo because this is how the bone ashes are transferred to
an urn or bone pot.

2- Slurping is good

One of my favourite things about Asian food is noodles. Pho,
ramen, Udon, soba to name a few.

As you just read in my story above, in Japan, slurping is
considered polite. It’s also an indication that the food is good.
You’ll look weirder for not slurping your noodles. Trust me.

But be careful, slurping is not considered polite in all Asian
cultures. In Thailand and in parts of China it is accepted to slurp
but not really encouraged. Just know before you go.

Should you finish all the food on your plate?

You might be surprised to learn that in some cultures, finishing all your
food on your plate is a sign that your host did not provide you with enough
food and in many cases your host will continue to serve you each time you
clear your plate and drink your entire beverage.
Filipinos, Cambodians, Koreans, Egyptians and Thais will all think this. For
Japanese people, finishing ones plate and rice bowl signifies to the host
that the meal is complete and that you appreciate the meal. When in
doubt, observe what other people are doing.

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5- Yes, You SHOULD Belch and Burp:

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6- Don’t Cut Your Salad With A Knife In France!

*Proper etiquette in France when eating a salad is to fold the

salad leaves onto your fork if they are too big to put in your
mouth. Never are you to cut your salad with a knife. This rule of
etiquette is taught to many French children from an early age
just as you were told never to put your elbows on the table.
Most French people have no idea why it’s considered rude but
I know.

The belief that cutting your salad is rude originates
from a very practical reason. In the days when utensils were
not stainless steel, the vinaigrette in the salad dressing would
tarnish the knife. To avoid this from happening, the cook
would cut the salad into bite size pieces before serving it. If
she saw you cutting your salad after it was served to you, it
meant that the cook did not cut the salad properly. Don’t
worry though, loads of French people cut their salad and you
won’t be judged whatsoever. The only time you may want to
think twice about cutting your salad is if you are in a fancy
restaurant where they had in fact cut your salad for you. By
the way, salad is always served after the meal in France and
not before.

7- Don’t eat with a Fork please

Have you ever gone to a fancy restaurant and weren’t sure which fork to use.
Fear not. It’s the one furthest from your plate.

In Thai culture the proper way to enjoy Thai food is with a spoon in your right
hand and a fork in your left. The fork is not used to shovel food in your mouth, in fact
it never goes in your mouth. Instead the fork is used like a rake to rake food from
your plate onto your spoon. Chopsticks are usually used only for stand alone noodle
dishes. You may however use your fork to eat anything that is not served with rice like
fruit. Got it?

Some countries don’t even use forks but rather eat with their hands like
Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Pakistan.

*during the renaissance period in Europe, there

were no forks. The custom of using forks began
in Italy but it took a while for it to catch on.
Forks were initially viewed almost to a fault as
excessively refined. In the case of men, it was
even considered a sign of effeminacy. Even
then, only the wealthy could afford them
throughout the 17th century.

Don’t take these rules too seriously

http://annieandre.com/world-table-manners-
etiquette/