World's etiquette on eating

ARGENTINA
There are some important rules about how you pour wine in Argentina. Be sure never to pour it backwards into the glass (holding the bottom of the bottle, instead of the body or the neck, as you pour), as this is seen as a "backhanded" statement that you really dislike the person, and they are likely to be severely insulted. Don’t use your left hand to pour wine either, because you’ll be demonstrating the same thing.




FRANCE
Splitting the bill is thought of as downright unsophisticated in France. Either pay for the whole bill, or let someone else pick it up.




AMERICA
When it comes to cutting up food, Americans tend to use the 'zigzag method' where after cutting the food, the knife is laid down and the fork is switched to the right hand from the left hand to eat the cut food.




ITALY
You shouldn’t pick up your cutlery until the most important person in the room starts eating. This could be your boss at a business lunch, or the host at a dinner party, or the oldest, most respected guest.




MEXICO
If you are travelling to Mexico anytime soon, bear in mind that eating tacos with a knife and fork is a big no-no. It’s considered ill-mannered and foolish. Has anyone ever tried to do this? It's classic finger food, after all.




JAPAN
It’s absolutely imperative never to pass food with your chopsticks. This is the norm at funerals, during a ritual of passing cremated bones, so it's likely to upset people. Similarly, never, ever, stick chopsticks vertically into a bowl of rice, as this is another morbid symbol that could put someone off their dinner.





TANZANIA
Punctuality will get you nowhere in Tanzania – you’re actually considered rude if you show up on time for dinner. To be thought of as a decent guest, you need to show up 15-30 minutes late. Don’t smell the food either, that’s a real no-no!




CHINA
It’s bad luck to flip a fish over while cooking it. By doing so, you are apparently cursing the fisherman's boat to capsize.





CHILE
It’s not considered appropriate to eat anything with your hands in Chile, not even French fries! In fact it’s considered ill-mannered. Brazilians follow this etiquette rule too.




INDIA, MIDDLE EAST, AND SOME PARTS OF AFRICA
Eating with your left hand is considered unclean. This is because your left hand is always the one you use in the bathroom… if you catch our drift.




THAILAND
Thai people never put their fork in their mouths. Instead, if you ever visit Thailand, you should push food onto a spoon with the fork, and eat from the spoon.





KOREA
It’s custom to accept drinks from Korean elders with both hands – as a sign of respect.




RUSSIA
As the most popular spirit going in Russia is vodka, you should never turn the stuff down from a Russian. And don’t even think of mixing anything with the vodka, as you’d be dirtying its purity in their eyes.





FRANCE
Bread in France usually goes directly onto the table, rather than using a plate.




KOREA
Don’t start eating until the eldest male at the table tucks in.





CHINA
Never point at someone in China using your chopsticks, this is considered a serious insult.





PORTUGAL
If salt and pepper aren’t already on the table in Portugal, don’t ask for them. The chef will take it as an offense, as it looks like their seasoning skills aren’t up to scratch.




CAMBODIA, KOREA, EGYPT
If you finish all the food on your plate in these nations, it can signify that the host didn’t give you enough food, so make sure you go to a dinner party half-full.




ITALY
You shouldn’t ask for extra cheese unless you’re offered it. The cheesy goodness on your pizza will have to be enough.




MIDDLE EAST
Don’t forget to shake your cup when you’ve finished drinking coffee in the company of Bedouin. Otherwise they’ll keep on pouring…




CHINA
In most places around the world, burping at the table is thought to be rude or ill-mannered. But in China, if you’ve enjoyed your meal, burping at the dinner table is a sign of appreciation for the food. And slurping your noodles and soup is also the done thing too!




BULGARIA
Never turn up to dinner in Bulgaria with yellow flowers, as this is a symbol of hatred. We hope this isn’t how you’d like to greet your dinner party hosts…




UNITED STATES
Tipping in America is always tricky for people from outside the US. Now, of course, it's not mandatory if you don't want to. But, under federal law, tipped employees like waiters/waitresses and bartenders could earn as little as $2.13 per hour. So your tip (between 15-25%) will be very much appreciated!





JAPAN
Rest the narrow, rounded ends of your chopsticks on the small ceramic holder, or hashi-oki, when you’re not using them. One way to signal that you’ve finished is to place your chopsticks across your soy saucer.




ITALY
Well, you'll never see an Italian cut up their spaghetti, and depending on the location, you may or may not be given a spoon to work your twirling magic. If you're eating pasta with Italians, be sure to separate a few strands of pasta from the rest using a simple twirling movement with your fork. They'll think you're a local in no time.



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