Just when you thought you knew how to sit at a table and eat without spilling a drink or dropping your meal in your lap, here are a few more tips on eating with friends from around the world.
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Afghan: Guests are always seated farthest from the door; when there are no guests the grandparents are seated farthest away from the door.
Chinese: Never point the chopsticks at another person. This amounts to insulting that person and is a major faux pas.
Indian: When flat breads such as chapatti, roti, or naan are served with the meal, it is acceptable and expected to use pieces of them to gather food and sop-up sauces and curries.
Japanese: One should wait for the host or hostess to tell you to eat three times before eating.
Malay: You must leave some drinking beverage in the glass or cup after you finish drinking.
Pakistani: Before you start eating, Recite “Bismillah Ar-Rahman al-Rahim” (In the name of Allah who is most beneficial & merciful).
Filipino: Wait to be told where to sit. There may be a seating plan.
French/Swiss: French bread is always torn off rather than cut. Do not dip it into soup or sauce.
Russian: It is polite to leave a little food at the end of the meal to show the host that the hospitality was plentiful and appreciated. In addition, the host will often urge the guests to second helpings of food.
British: The fork is held in your left hand and the knife is held in your right when used at the same time.
American: Bread or salad plates are to the left of the main plate, beverage glasses are to the right. If small bread knives are present, lay them across the bread plate with the handle pointing to the right.
Peruvian: Don’t stretch after a meal.
Australians: You should not start eating before your host does or instructs you to do so. At larger meals, it is acceptable to start eating once others have been served.
You think! Not at my Aussie house hold.
To be serious now,
A lot depends on the occasion – a formal dinner has a lot more etiquette than a Sunday dinner with your grandparents, for example.
Some very basic rules:
1. No elbows on the table.
2. Sit up straight.
3. Never smoke at the table.
4. Keep your mouth closed when chewing.
5. Keep your napkin in your lap, not tucked under your chin.
Craig
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