Eating Habits in Different Cultures

Dining Etiquette in Different Cultures

RUSSIA

• Don't mix anything with vodka
• If you decide to bring flowers as a gift, make sure it's in odd numbers.
• Finish all the bread you take during the meal. It is considered badluck and wasteful if not.
• Rest your wrists on top of the table.

South Africa

• Mostly westernized.
• Avoid eye contact when dining.
• If a host invited you to their homes, please offer to do chores or help them out as much as possible.
• Bring a small gift for appreciation for the host who has invited you for dining.
• Do not smoke in the same area.
• Wash your hand before and after eating.
• In home or restaurant, the honored guest is served first, then the oldest men, the rest of the men, the children and at last the women
• Tap water is 100% a "NO"

Britain

• Always eat with the fork on your left hand and the knife on your right
• Never speak with your mouth full

Germany

Mongolia

• Do not start eating until the hosts say "Guten Appetit"
• Knife on the right hand and fork on the left
• After done eating, put the knife and fork parallel to each other across the right side of the plate, pointing 10 o'clock position.
• Cut as much with the fork instead of knife, except if it is too difficult.
• For toasts, the most common are "Zum Wohl!" with wine and "Prost!" for beers. Maintaining direct eye contact from the glass is raised until it is put back down is also important.
• Pass dishes to your left.
• Hands visible above table

• Do not spill dairy products beause it is considered bad luck.
• Keep your palm facing up when holding cups.
• Only use right hands to eat, use utensils and pass dishes.
• Don't point knife at others.
• When passing food, it is important to symbolically support your right elbow with your left hand. This is to compliment the host for the vast quantity of food.

Uzbekistan

Saudi Arabia

• Respect for old people
• Drink tea before the main meal
• Many sweets, nuts and fruits on the table
• Lepeshka (bread), is one of the necessary product in each family

China

Spain

• Do not start until the host say "Buen Apetito"
• Do not cut lettuce in salad, but fold it with knife and fork so it can be picked up with fork
• The most honored position is at the head of the table.
• Lay fork and knife parallel to each other at the right side of the plate after done eating.

France

• Keep hands on the table at all times
• Lay fork and knife at the right side of the plate after eating.
• Do not start eating until the host say "Bon Apetit"
• When you are breaking the bread, leave it by the side of your plate and not on top.

• Chopstick for everything
• Main dish can be eaten with rice
• Not appropriate to slurp soup or noodle
• Never refill your own glass! Let others do it for you.
• Do not eat until the host does.

• Say "Bismillah" before eating.
• Spoon, fork or knife to eat.
• Women should not touch directly food that are served to the men.
• Remove your shoes when invited for a meal at somebody's house.
• Respect the elderly.

Japan

• Slurp it!!

India

• No beef.
• When dining with Hindus, do not touch directly any food that is served to other.
• Be aware of your neighbor's glass, do not refill your own glass.
• Use spoon with only right hand for eating.
• Use of hands to eat is common

INDONESIA

• Indonesian loves eating Indonesian food with their hands
• However, eating with left hand is considered dirty.
• No pork in some restaurants.
• Do not eat in front of your Muslim friends during Ramadan because Muslims typically fast during this month.
• Spoon and fork for eating.
• Do not start eating until the eldery ones start.

Australia

• Hands on the lap while not holding utensils.
• The one who invites pay the bill, although the guess are expected to chip in.
• Knife on the right and fork on the left.
• Knife and fork are laid parallel to one another at the right side of the plate after done eating.
• No talking about business over a nice meal.

New Zealand