Experience a traditional meal in a foreign land like never before, without shooting a single glaring glance towards your dining partner. Dining is no longer a simple act of noshing on delicious food but it contains within its folds the customs and traditions of the locals. Respect these rituals not just in spirit but also in practice, while partaking in the diverse and varied delicacies that each country has to offer. Let us explore further, about dining etiquette; embracing local customs and traditions.
1. Making an Entrance: Following Dining Etiquette Around the Globe
Dining etiquette is a crucial part of interacting socially in many countries. Knowing the norms of a particular country can help you make a sincere impression with your hosts. So, whether you’re planning to dine in a foreign country or invite guests from other cultures to your home, here are some tips for doing it right:
- South Korea & Japan: Bow to your host or waiter upon entering or leaving a restaurant. You may also be expected to remove your shoes before entering the restaurant.
- India: When in India, it’s common to sit on the floor and eat with your hands, so try to remember to leave behind any silverware prejudices you may have.
- France: Eating out at a French restaurant starts with a unique greeting: you’ll be welcomed by a ‘mise en place’, which is a single slice of baguette topped with a pat of butter and placed on a plate.
In the United States, much of the worry regarding entrance to a restaurant or home involves the number of forks and spoons – that is, how many settings to use. Etiquette in the U.S. calls for one fork, one spoon, one knife, and a glass for each guest. Meanwhile, in China, settings of spoons and chopsticks are placed on the table with the forks and knives being placed outside of the inner circle.
In the Mediterranean, dining etiquette is all about making sure your hands are clean. Before eating, it’s expected to rub your thumb against the handle of your spoon and then flick it over your left shoulder three times. This is done to ward off the ‘evil eye’ and keep your safety in tact.
It’s difficult to remember the unique dining etiquette found in each culture, but it’s important to show proper respect to your host when dining in their country or home. Respectfully observing these customs is a sign of appreciation that you won’t soon forget.
2. Exploring Culinary Traditions: Experiencing Dining Etiquette One Bite at a Time
There’s nothing more delightful than an exquisite dining experience, crafted from the ingredients of culture, tradition, ambiance, and custom. Global cuisine is rife with diverse culinary practices, and part of the fun of exploring it lies in discovering its varying ways of dining.
The etiquette of dining is diverse, with many customs depending on geographic location, cultural background or personal preferences. Here are a few of the global culinary traditions, and the etiquette associated with each.
France: The French love food, and as a result, their dining customs are quite detailed. In France, it is considered polite to break off a piece of bread and butter it before eating it. It is also considered polite to wait until everyone at the table has been served before eating your meals, as well as taking a few bites from a few dishes rather than an entire portion of a single one. Finally, it is good manners to compliment the cook, even if the meal was not to your taste.
Japan: The Japanese culture reveres politeness and modesty, and this is reflected in their dining etiquette. In Japan, it is customary to wait before starting a meal until the eldest person at the table has started. Moreover, it is good manners to receive and accept portions of food with both hands. As for chopsticks, never stick them upright in your bowl of food; when not in use, wait until you are served with a chopstick holder to rest them in. Finally, sushi should not be dipped in soy sauce, as its pressure can ruin the delicate fish.
India: It is customary to wait for the host to start a meal in India. In communal dishes, everyone takes only what they need, and it is usually done clockwise around the table. Using your hands is also important for some traditional dishes; the left hand is considered unclean and shouldn’t come into contact with the food. Lastly, it is polite to say “no” twice if you do not want more food.
Italy: The Italians take great pride in their food, and, as a result, their etiquette follows suit. In Italy, it is customary to use a fork and knife when eating as opposed to your hands. Moreover, it is considered rude to ask for salt or pepper before tasting what’s been served. Lastly, it is important to know that many Italian foods are served as separate courses and are eaten in a specific order; do not try to mix them into a single course.
Though countless dining customs around the world exist, the common thread between them all is respect for the food. Exploring global culinary cultures is an exciting journey of discovery, and understanding the etiquette for each can help to make the experience an even more savory adventure!
3. Refining Table Manners: Fine-Tuning Your Dining Etiquette
Table manners are at the heart of any top-notch dining experience. Here are some tips on how to refine your etiquette for an even more enjoyable meal:
- Chivalrous Behavior – Chivalry may appear to be a forgotten custom, but displaying proper etiquette at the dinner table always brings out the best in the most courteous. Gentlemen, open doors for ladies. Ladies, offer to pour drinks for everyone at the table. And all guests, wait for others to sit down at the table and commence eating before diving into your meal.
- Don’t Reach – Handing out food platters is a polite way of helping to maintain cleanliness and order. Pass items to the person next to you, instead of reaching across the table. This is the proper and more hygienic way of sharing food.
- Be Mindful of Utensils – Utensils are essential tools for a good meal; however, it is essential to use them properly. It is impolite to lick them, purse your lips or make any other sounds as you use them. Never leave them in the food, and wipe your mouth with a napkin before using them to avoid germs.
- Keep Conversation Polite – While it is absolutely fine to indulge in pleasant conversations, avoid discussing topics that may be considered offensive. Put cellphones away, and remember to keep the noise level at an acceptable level.
- Eat Small Bites – To avoid overwhelming the taste buds, always eat small bites of food. This ensures that all the tastes are experienced to their fullest. Also, this prevents making too much noise as you chew.
- Respect Others’ Decisions – Never pressure anyone to try something they are not comfortable trying. Also, never push someone to drink more or faster than they are comfortable doing. Everyone is unique and should be respected in their decisions.
In addition, it is important to observe proper dining etiquette in regards to dress code. If the invitation calls for it, men should wear a suit, and women should wear an elegant dress. Shoes should always be clean and polished.
Good manners show that you are wellmannered and of good taste, and it’s never a bad thing to practice the time-honored tradition of dining etiquette!
4. Taking the Next Step: Embracing Local Dining Customs and Traditions
When visiting a new country or city, the next step in getting to know the culture and its people is to embrace the local dining customs and traditions. There will often be times when you’re invited to dine with locals, and having a good understanding of their expectations can make the experience even more enjoyable.
Setting the Table: Depending on where you’re going, the presentation of food and how it is served will differ. In any case, try to conform to the norms. Unless asked, a polite ‘No, thank you’ is better than trying to customize the experience. Similarly, the utensils provided may also be different from what you’re used to. Try to familiarize yourself with them beforehand so as to feel comfortable. Most importantly, it helps to ensure you’re not embarrassed in front of the hosts.
Eating Etiquette: Be sure to keep your manners in check when dining with locals. Try not to take too much and make sure to leave some food on your plate – a clean plate might suggest that you weren’t provided enough. In addition, some cultures have various rules and rituals for food. For instance, it is polite to thank your host in Thailand if you’re given something to eat as it implies the host sees you as an honored guest. Other countries, like Japan, have specific etiquette for using chopsticks. Respect these customs or ask for an explanation of them beforehand.
Timing Is Key: Similarly, different cultures have a specific times for meals. In the United States, lunch is typically around noon while dinner is later in the evening. In Europe, lunch is much earlier and dinner can be as late as 9pm. Although it might not be the same exact time, try to adjust your dining times to conform with the local culture. Otherwise, try to inquire ahead of time so as to avoid embarrassment.
Being a Guest: It’s important to show respect when dining out and be mindful of your behavior. Try to avoid talking about sensitive topics such as politics or religion, and attempt to control your volume. Most importantly, show appreciation for the food and the hospitality you receive. Hosts often make it a point to ensure their guests are comfortable so reciprocating the sentiment can only help in building rapport.
- Setting the Table
- Eating Etiquette
- Timing Is Key
- Being a Guest
Though it may be daunting, understanding and respecting local dining etiquette is often the key to embracing new cultures, gaining an appreciation for their what they have to offer, and connecting with people from all around the world. So, next time you travel to a new place, keep this important advice in mind and enjoy dining like a local!
