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At the word “etiquette” many begin to imagine elegant gentlemen who act perfectly in any situation. However, the world is big, and not everywhere the same behavior is regarded identically. Much of this is reflected in food intake. It’s no secret that regardless of race, nationality, gender and age … In short, absolutely all people in the world love to eat. But how it is customary to do this already depends not only on the continent, but also on each nation in particular. And here the matter is far from being limited to Japanese chopsticks and prayers before a meal. Every corner of the globe has its own rules of conduct at the table and beyond. Today we will introduce you to the unusual rules of etiquette in different countries. Are you ready to be surprised, bewildered and even embarrassed? Then we start.
10 spitting
Everyone knows from childhood that spitting is an uncultured act. Almost everywhere they look askance at a person openly spitting on the street. Spitting in the direction of another citizen is regarded as a vile abomination, in some countries it is akin to an attack. But not among members of the Masai tribe (Central-East Africa). These guys spit on everything in the truest sense of the word. Such a gesture is successfully used here both as a greeting and as a token of gratitude. The Maasai spit on gifts before handing them, spit on newborns (some relatives specially come from afar for this purpose), spit on friends, and certainly in a neighbor’s cup. They don’t give a damn about each other, and they are very happy about it.
9. protruding tongue
Again, as children, we successfully teased each other with our tongues hanging out, it was a fun prank. In adult life, not everyone uses this gesture, and it is not appropriate everywhere. For example, in Italy, a police officer will have every reason to fine a person for sticking out his tongue when communicating. In India, a tongue outside of the mouth means that they are very angry at you and are about to move on to fists. But in New Caledonia, with the help of a tongue hanging out, they want energy and intelligence (the latter should really not be enough … a joke, of course). Representatives of Tibet respectfully greet each other with such a gesture, and in the Caroline Islands, the shown tongue helps in expelling demons.
8. Eating food with your hands
Here, any generally accepted norms break off, in fact, each person decides for himself what to pick up with a fork, and what can be grabbed with his hand (of course, if we are not talking about soup or tea). And yet, there are some national foundations in this regard. So, in India, the absorption of food with the help of hands is considered the only acceptable way, and in Ethiopia, any host considers it a duty to feed guests with his own hands. In Mexico, you’ll be considered an arrogant snob if you ask for utensils to accompany your tacos or burritos, while in Germany, a chef will be insulted to the core if you try to cut off a piece of a boiled potato with a knife. But in Chile, it is extremely impolite to grab even a small snack with your hands, everything must be taken with the help of utensils.
7. Emptying a glass of wine at a time
In general, in terms of the use of alcoholic beverages, a Russian person can hardly be surprised by anything. Nevertheless, the Georgian feast is quite tempting for those who like to empty a glass or two to tirades of well-aimed words and expressions. It is important that it is necessary to empty this very glass strictly at one time, that is, in one gulp. Another no less significant argument is that this can be done only after the toast has been said in full. Georgians can spend several hours at such a ceremony, competing in wit in more than one circle. As a rule, wine or vodka is drunk at feasts.
6. Last minute party invitation
We are accustomed to inviting guests ahead of time, often having previously discussed the menu or program for the evening with them, and wedding invitations are generally sent out a month before the event. We explain this by the fact that all actors need to prepare. Nothing like this about advance notification of guests has been heard in Israel – they adore spontaneity there. If the locals throw a mesiba (that’s what parties are called), you can be sure that they will take care of inviting people last. In Israel, you should not be surprised at all when on Monday after taking an evening shower you will be called to a birthday party, which will begin in an hour and a half.
5. Kissing the bread that fell on the floor
The expression “Bread is the head of everything” definitely carries meaning and background. In all corners of our planet, bread is respected and revered, but each nation expresses its high attitude towards this product in its own way. So, in Afghanistan, a piece of bread that has fallen on the floor must be immediately picked up and kissed. Our grandparents, who suffered war and famine, can do the same thing – they, like no one else, know the real price of bread, they kiss it at the call of their hearts, without being tied to rules or traditions.
4. Belching
Well, who doesn’t know the demand of the stomach to get rid of excess air … The feeling of an approaching burp makes you hush up in the presence of other people, wrinkle and think about how to do it more quietly and more modestly. In principle, this can be called the generally accepted norm, however, in Asian countries (in particular, in China), they do not see anything shameful in a loud burp right at the table. On the contrary, there such behavior is considered an identification that you liked the food, which is reported by the master of the stomach. By the way, the fact that you make a mess on the table will also be praise for the chef. So, if you liked a meal in a Chinese restaurant, then you can safely misbehave in every way.
3. Gas emission
Or almost everything. Still, a concert from the rear “speaker” is not included in the list of events that testify to your gastronomic satisfaction, even in China. Needless to say about the attitude to the emission of gases at the table in European countries. Nevertheless, there are people on our planet who celebrate a good meal in such an extraordinary way. We are talking about the inhabitants of the Inuit tribes, the area of uXNUMXbuXNUMXbwhich is located in Greenland, Alaska, as well as some areas in Canada. So, having eaten enough, our heroes open the gas valve as a token of the chef’s encouragement. If you are not an Inuit, but fit the description, it is best to report your “talent” to a gastroenterologist.
2. Serving cups half full of tea
“Demand topping up” is definitely not about the next case. The fact is that in Kazakhstan it is customary to serve cups filled with tea only halfway. Surprisingly, this is how the owner of the house expresses respect to the guest – the less tea, the more respect (within reasonable limits, of course). Asking to top up to the brim is not worth it, for the Kazakhs it is indecent. A full cup is a sign that they want to send you home as soon as possible. There is another explanation, more practical. Since bowls are used as cups in Kazakhstan, it makes no sense to pour to the brim – after all, the bowl will become completely hot, and it will be inconvenient to hold it.
1. Not leaving a tip
Tipping has long become a kind of talk of the town. As a rule, an ordinary tourist is far from always aware of whether it is customary to leave a tip in the country he has visited. In fairness, tips are not perceived as a compliment or encouragement everywhere. For example, in Japan, you definitely should not add the amount of the bill from above – this will be insulting and humiliating for the waiter and the owner of the restaurant. In cold Iceland, the attitude towards tipping is no less cold. In Singapore, Taiwan, Paraguay and some restaurants in Denmark, tips are already included in the bill as a service charge. Well, in China, as usual, everything is different. In general, tea contributions are not encouraged there, but in Hong Kong and Macau, waiters count on them.