Although the premise of this site leans more towards the drink, the food often plays an important role and there are some important guidelines to be aware of, especially when eating on the road… regardless of where that road might be. I hope this is a helpful list. I’ve learned a lot in researching these and hopefully will remember some of the rules when eating on the road. I’m not sure which ones or how many I have broken over the years, but I can say, without a doubt, I’ve acted like an Inuit at the dinner table more times than not.
- In Thailand don’t put your fork in your mouth. Rather, use it to put the food on the spoon and eat from that. — While I’ve never been to or eaten in Thailand, seeing someone do this anywhere would immediately bring a smile to my face.
- In the Arab world people don’t eat with their left hand because that hand is typically used to clean up in the bathroom if you catch the drift. — Yes, okay…I got the picture, …now I just need to erase the image.
- In the UK make sure to tilt the soup bowl away from you. — I’ll try to remember
- In Japan chopsticks are used to pass bones during funerals so they should never be used to pass food. — I would have thought over the years that I would have heard something regarding this, so I’m a little skeptical. I do know however that there is an art and etiquette when it comes to chopsticks. Crossing them or using them in certain dishes may be improper, and maybe this ‘rule’ only applies to passing food to another person as opposed to simply using chopsticks as utensils.
- In China you should burp at the dinner table if you enjoyed the food. — Not a problem! I could also make a sound that might translate to ‘this was the very best meal I’ve ever eaten’!
- In Mexico you should never eat tacos with a fork and knife. — Nor should you even if your tacos come in a bag from Taco Bell.
- In Chile people typically don’t eat anything with their hands, not even the french fries. — Are we back on the Arab thing or is there another reason?
- In Russia hardly anything should be mixed with vodka, not even ice. It would be seen as dirtying its purity.
- If you ever find yourself drinking coffee with Bedouins in the Middle East make sure to shake your cup when you are finished otherwise they will keep pouring you more. — Now if only the bartenders would follow suit.
- The Inuit people of Canada will fart after meals to express their appreciation of the food. — Oh, those crazy Inuits. That’s exactly what I was getting at regarding burping at the table in China.
- If you want to appear “cultured” you shouldn’t cut your salad with a knife in France. The lettuce leaves are typically folded onto your fork. — I don’t think it’s possible for anyone other than another ‘frog’ to appear cultured in France.
- In Tanzania it is considered rude to be on time for dinner. You should be between 15 and 30 minutes late.
- In England bananas should be eaten with a fork and knife.
- In Portugal you shouldn’t ask for salt and pepper if they are not already on the table. It is considered offensive to the chef’s seasoning abilities.