Unique Eating Customs Around the World

Photo courtesy of Thinkstock

Food is prepared deliciously all over the world, but before we can sink your teeth into your next dish its best to take heed to the various eating customs that prevail throughout each of the following destinations. 

From slurping to eating with a spoon, it’s best to forget every polite table manner you are accustomed to in order to be of good etiquette here. So if you want to be a tactful guest just be sure to follwoing these various rules, where inappropriateness is quite the turn if you want to be invited over for dinner again.

Japan

Have you ever been scolded for eating your food loudly? Do you find drinking soup with a spoon absolutely useless?

Not everyone considers slurping food bad table manners. Just ask the Japanese, who believe the louder foods like ramen, soba and noodles are slurped the better they taste. Just don’t think you’re in a room full of greedy pigs when the sounds of gulping are met with eaters burying their heads into bowls of soup or rice. This is because they are usually devoured by lifting the bowl to the head, which allows hotter foods to be eaten faster.

However, before you take that last gulp remember to leave a bit of food left over to indicate you’re ready for another helping.

 China

While we’re on the continent of Asia, let’s take a trip to China to avoid becoming labeled a rude dinner guest, especially if you choose to eat like a local by using chopsticks.  But before you begin to dig into your meal there are a few rules that must be taken into consideration.

For one, placing chopsticks on a table at an angle that appears to be pointing at someone is quite the offensive gesture. If you’re finished eating, they should be set at the top of the bowl because placing them at the side signifies you’re giving your palate a momentary break.

Most importantly, never place your chopsticks upright unless you want the entire table to be horrified by the image of death while eating their bowl of rice.

Mexico

When it comes to food, Mexico doesn’t play. In fact, the country’s delicious cuisines are taken so seriously working through lunch sounds insane. So if you’re an avid foodie, enjoying extended lunch periods is all the better, especially amid inviting conversations. But remember to show up fashionably late if you don’t want to be thought of as rude for arriving early or on time.

India

When in India do as the Indians do, and that includes their style of eating as well.  Although you might be inclined to ditch the knife and fork for most of its foods, you’ll also have to forget about using your left hand if you don’t want a table full of disgusted gourmets giving you the evil eye. 

In India the left hand is seen as unsanitary, since it is commonly used to clean unhygienic areas of the body. Therefore, when shaking hands as well as eating, using the right hand is not only sanitary but necessary if you want to be a repeated dinner guest. 

Italy

Do you enjoy the taste of grated cheese over your shrimp scampi or lobster ravioli? Well think again.  In Italy not only will you have broken one of the oldest gastronomic rules of all time, you may be asked to leave the table altogether.

This may seem a bit extreme to all the cheese lovers of the world, especially since many Italian traditions have evolved over time.  But if your host still embraces Italy’s oldest customs, then you’ll want to hold off on the cheese.

Thailand

The spoon is a utensil that isn’t only used for mixing or slurping soup in Thailand.  It is valued as highly as the fork is in the United States, so you better keep the fork far away from your mouth when adhering to Thai culinary customs. 

Instead, the fork is used to assist the spoon in the same way a knife is used to push food onto a fork.  Just place the spoon in your right and with the fork in your left to separate piecess of meat or starch before eating with the spoon. In no time you’ll be using the spoon like a true Thai.

Saudi Arabia

Don’t be surprised if you’re directed to sit on the floor at a dinner party in Saudi Arabia.  This is a tradition that has existed for centuries, and it is still a revered style that continues to be a great part of the Arabian culture. However, there is a way to be tactful while sitting on the floor.  

Your legs should be crossed unless you prefer to kneel on one knee. Like India, the right hand is used to eat because the left hand is viewed as unclean. And if you want to make your host feel like a proud chef, sample every culinary treat available to show you’re truly enjoying your meal.