Global Dining Etiquette Customs

In our global marketplace and multi-cultural environment in the U.S.A., it is useful to be cognizant of the dining etiquette customs of various cultures. Although one is not required to change one’s style of dining when traveling to another country where the customs are different than they are in the U.S.A., it does show respect for your host county to adopt their style of dining–particularly if you are traveling there for business–or to at the very least, show that you know what is considered proper in their country.

Following is a sampling of some dining etiquette customs from around the world:

Diners in the U.S.A. generally eat in the American style of dining, with their hands on their laps when they are “resting.”
Diners in Europe, as well as most of the countries outside of the U.S.A. where knives and forks are used, generally eat in the more global, Continental style of dining, with their hands –from the wrists up–on the table when they are “resting.”
Diners in the Middle East and in India only eat with the right hand. The left hand is considered unclean.
Although people in China, Hong Kong, Japan, and Taiwan generally use chopsticks to eat, keep in mind not all Asians do. Malays, for instance, use their right hands, with or without forks and spoons.
When eating rice in China, it is customary to hold the bowl close to your mouth.
In India, it is considered proper table manners to lick your fingers; but not, of course, in the U.S.A. or Europe.
The thumb is used to push food, particularly rice, onto the fingers in India, but avoid getting it on your palms.
In China, you may slurp soup and smack your lips when eating noodles. Your hosts will consider the noises a compliment. The opposite is true in the U.S.A. and Europe.
Never “clean” your plate in Asian countries; but do “clean” your plate in Germany.
Eat slowly when dining in Asia; it will insult your host if you finish a course first.
In the U.S.A. and Europe, eat as neatly as possible; but don’t be afraid of making a mess in the Middle East.
If you cannot keep up with Saudi appetites during a meal, try to nibble on something while they finish eating.
Expect to encounter eating utensils only in Westernized Saudi homes.
When dining out in the United Kingdom, it is not considered polite to inquire about the food you see around you. Likewise, you should not ask to sample the dishes of others.

By: Patricia Napier-Fitzpatrick

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Global Dining Etiquette Customs

Following is a sampling of some dining etiquette customs from around the world:

Diners in the U.S.A. generally eat in the American style of dining, with their hands on their laps when they are “resting.”

Diners in Europe, as well as most of the countries outside of the U.S.A. where knives and forks are used, generally eat in the more global, Continental style of dining, with their hands –from the wrists up–on the table when they are “resting.”

Diners in the Middle East and in India only eat with the right hand. The left hand is considered unclean.

Although people in China, Hong Kong, Japan, and Taiwan generally use chopsticks to eat, keep in mind not all Asians do. Malays, for instance, use their right hands, with or without forks and spoons.

When eating rice in China, it is customary to hold the bowl close to your mouth.

In India, it is considered proper table manners to lick your fingers; but not, of course, in the U.S.A. or Europe.

The thumb is used to push food, particularly rice, onto the fingers in India, but avoid getting it on your palms.

In China, you may slurp soup and smack your lips when eating noodles. Your hosts will consider the noises a compliment. The opposite is true in the U.S.A. and Europe.

Never “clean” your plate in Asian countries; but do “clean” your plate in Germany.

Eat slowly when dining in Asia; it will insult your host if you finish a course first.

In the U.S.A. and Europe, eat as neatly as possible; but don’t be afraid of making a mess in the Middle East.

If you cannot keep up with Saudi appetites during a meal, try to nibble on something while they finish eating.

Expect to encounter eating utensils only in Westernized Saudi homes.

When dining out in the United Kingdom, it is not considered polite to inquire about the food you see around you. Likewise, you should not ask to sample the dishes of others.

By: Patricia Napier-Fitzpatrick