Recent Posts
Have you ever traveled to another country and wondered confusedly where you should sit at a dinner party? You may have also considered whether or not you should rest your elbows on the table. Maybe you’ve actually offended someone or were given more food because you accidentally gave the wrong signal.
No more being confused – here is an extensive guide to eating, seating, manners and etiquette in every continent across the globe.
Food and Beverages: Always pass food to the left. It is generally considered polite to finish all the food on your plate, although this is not always true in Venezuela. In Southern Cone countries such as Argentina and Bolivia, pouring wine backwards into the glass or with your left hand an extremely rude gesture.
Hands: In many Southern Cone countries, hands are kept above the table and seen at all times. In Bolivia, among other countries, it is not customary to eat anything but bread with your hands.
Seating: The hosts and most honored guests are seated at the head of the table. Short toasts are often given to wish good health at the start of meals.
Utensils: In Brazil as well as most countries in South America, utensils are not switched when cutting and eating.
Food and Beverages: In Benin specifically, the host may sip the beverage at the start of the meal to show that it is safe to drink. In many African countries, the hosts must start eating before the guests.
Hands: Only the right hand is used to eat.
Seating: In Chad, Kenya and other countries, diners may sit on floor mats.
Meals: It is customary to eat one large meal in the evening, with much smaller meals in the morning and early afternoon, although some countries such as Mozambique may eat three meals a day at specific times.
Ceremonies: Many African countries honor traditional tea ceremonies often, though etiquette differs by country.
Food and Beverages: Guests do not start eating until everyone has their food and the host has taken the first bite.
Hands: In most countries in North America, elbows are not permitted on the table. In Mexico, your hands must be visible at all times (though wrists may rest on the table).
Seating: Honored positions are usually at the head of the table.
Utensils and Napkin: At restaurants, use the outside utensils first before edging toward the plate after each course. It is also customary to place your napkin on your lap throughout the meal.
Toasts: Toasts at the beginning of a meal are very common for dinner parties.
Food and Beverages: Bringing a plate of your own burger patty to a BBQ is customary in Australia. Passing food to the left is customary.
Hands: Hands can be in your lap when not eating.
Seating: The host and honored guests will be at the head of the table. In casual restaurants, you may have to share a table, but are not required to join conversation outside your party unless prompted.
Toasts: Toasts and cheers to health are given at the start of meals.
Food and Beverages: Do not drink or eat before your host does. In most Pacific Asian countries, if you are satisfied with the meal and do not want more food, leave something on your plate. In India, you are never to fill your own glass – always refill your neighbor’s glass.
Hands: Towels are usually given before the food comes out, and you are to wipe your hands, not your face, before your food is touched in most Pacific Asian countries. In India, you are also never to use your right hand for eating.
Seating: You can usually pick your seat at the table in Turkey.
Utensils: Chopstick etiquette is precise and may differ by country – Hong Kong’s chopstick etiquette, which is very similar to the rest of China, is spelled out here.
Toasts: Honored guests are required to make a toast after the host in most Asian countries such as Japan, China and Indonesia.
Ceremonies: In Japan and many other Asian countries, a tea ceremony is customary and has very strict rules to follow. It is important to research tea ceremonies in the specific country you are visiting.
Service: In India, service is usually in this order: honored guest, oldest man, rest of men, children then women. Thanking your host is not suggested. In Turkey, your host is always served first.
Regions: In Hong Kong specifically, toothpicks are used between courses, and eating everything on your plate may signal that you want more food. As etiquette differs greatly in Asian countries, and in order to ensure you are not offending the host or other guests, you should research specific etiquette and manners for the Asian country you are looking to visit.
Food and Beverages: Food is passed to the left in the Netherlands, Russia, Romania and France, to name a few. In France specifically, all food on the plate should be eaten and asking for seconds is not customary.
Hands: Hands must stay visible above the table in many Western and Eastern European countries.
Seating: You most likely will not be able to choose your own seat at the table and the hosts and honored guests sit at the heads of the table.
Utensils and Napkins: Do not switch your fork and knife when cutting and eating food. Napkins are to be left on the table in some countries.
Toasts: In Great Britain as well as many other European countries, toasts to good health at the beginning of meals is customary. In some countries in Western and Eastern Europe, you are required to keep eye contact through the toast, and in Russia as well as other countries in Eastern Europe, everyone toasts at some point during the meal.
Meals: Meals in most countries in this continent are not started until your host takes the first bite.
Tipping: Many European restaurants will automatically add a 10 or 15 percent gratuity to your bill, but it is always good to check.
Regions: In Great Britain, restaurants and pubs usually stay open until 11 p.m. or later. Western and Eastern Europe differ greatly in etiquette and manners, such as whether or not shoes should be taken off when entering the house at a dinner party.
All information for this article taken from Etiquette Scholar.
