The norms of etiquette adopted in another culture may seem strange, and at times ridiculous. But good manners are to protect yourself from the awkwardness in advance by learning what customs should be observed in the country you are going to visit.
Squish while eating and burp after
Ability is noiseless - an indispensable skill that is instilled in one of the first educated children in European countries. In Japan, mothers teach babies to take a sip when they eat soup or noodles, or drink tea. Eastern etiquette sees in such behavior a compliment to the art of the cook - the food is so tasty that there is no strength to wait for it to cool down and therefore have to squish to cool the food. If you find it hard to eat while making such sounds, at least try to drink the last sip of tea with a loud squelch. This will show the owner that you are happy with his treat.
In Europe, a well-mannered person can burp only by accident and will necessarily apologize, embarrassed. In China, it is considered good form not to restrain belching after eating - how else will the chef know that the guest is full and the dishes were delicious? Belching is also considered a food compliment in India and Bahrain.
Difficult sticks
When dining in China, you should not stick the chopsticks vertically into the dish or turn the fish over by eating the meat from one side to the other. Such actions, according to the Chinese, can cause trouble. The most superstitious do not even finish the fish, if in order to get to the meat, it must be turned over.
Sticking chopsticks vertically into rice is a bad omen in Japan too. This is a sign for a funeral ceremony. You should also not wave your sticks, point them to something, and even more so to someone. It is indecent to feed someone, passing a piece of food from your chopsticks to others. The last custom is also associated with burial - this is how bones are moved from the ashes after cremation.
Don't give chrysanthemums and lilies
Flowers are often seen as a universal sign of attention, suitable for both dating and dating, as a compliment and apology, appropriate for both weddings and funerals. And it is with a bouquet that you can find yourself in the most unpleasant situations in another culture. The etiquette dictating how many and what flowers to give in different situations differs from country to country.
So in many countries an even number of flowers in a bouquet is a symbol of mourning, but in the East, nominal even numbers are good luck, and odd ones are ominous. In Germany and Italy, it is customary to give scarlet roses only to lovers, in Iran they do not like yellow flowers, Japanese etiquette dictates that white flowers are only a place for funerals. In France, however, chrysanthemums and lilies of all shades are an attribute of sorrow.
Spit more often
In most parts of the world, spitting is an expression of contempt, spitting is unhygienic and, of course, ill-mannered. But the African Maasai people, who live in the south of Kenya, do not care about each other - a symbol of respect, a wish for good luck. The Masai must spit at a wedding, spit on a newborn and, of course, you should definitely spit in the direction of a dear guest. An amazing custom? But, you see, it's no stranger than spitting over your left shoulder, warding off trouble.
Clean Plate Society
Modern rules of etiquette do not directly dictate to eat everything off your plate, but it is considered good form, especially at a party. By eating the whole dish, you show that it was tasty and do not force the hostess to clean up the leftovers and regret the spoiled food. However, if you do the same in the Philippines, the host will be deeply offended. After eating everything clean, you make it clear that he is greedy and regretted the food. Also, do not drink a glass to the bottom and leave the plate clean in Korea, Cambodia, Egypt and Thailand.
Be sure to be late
"Accuracy is the courtesy of kings" - have been instilled in Europeans since childhood. By being late, you are misusing others' time and showing your disrespect. This is not the case in Tanzania. All well-mannered people come with a delay of at least 15-20 minutes. To assume that someone will come on time is to assume that they are completely uncouth. Don't be on time in Mexico either. Having descended minute by minute, you put the hosts in an extremely uncomfortable position, making them completely unprepared for your visit.
Stick out your tongue
Sticking out your tongue means teasing someone. It can be an intimate and friendly gesture, but a stranger can be so offended. In Italy, sticking out your tongue is considered such a strong insult that you can be fined for it. But in Tibet, sticking out the tip, or even the whole tongue, at a meeting is a tradition, a gesture of courtesy. It is believed that once upon a time, the Tibetans were so frightened by his cruelty by one king who possessed a black language that the people of Tibet who believe in reincarnation immediately demonstrate to each other that they are good people when they meet.
Don't order cappuccino in the afternoon
Italians believe that cappuccino should only be drunk in the morning. Most often this is due to the belief of the older generation that properly prepared such coffee is a complete meal, especially if a croissant is served with it. It is also said that grandmothers warned Italian children that milk and milk drinks after meals lead to indigestion. Of course, now no one believes in this and you will be served your cup of coffee at any time of the day and even - oh, horror! - after dinner, but by making such an order you will immediately show that you are a tourist unfamiliar with the rules of good manners.
Use a knife and fork
This rule of table etiquette seems familiar, European, only modern manners have long allowed in some cases to deviate from it. For example, a hamburger, shawarma, taco, or a simple sandwich can be eaten with your hands. Just never do that in Chile. The inhabitants of this country believe that they are inherent in European culture in everything and approach it as formally as possible, serving a fork and a knife even to fries.
Don't be left-handed
In most Arab countries, in particular in Saudi Arabia, the left hand is considered "unclean". It is customary for her to wash herself after visiting the toilet, so it is very rude to stretch out her left hand as a sign of greeting, and it is also impolite to convey something “with one left,” and even more so to touch food with this hand. Therefore, left-handers will have a particularly difficult time in these countries.
Do not dare to stroke the head
In some countries, patting a child or even an adult on the head is a sweet and friendly gesture. But don't try to repeat it in Thailand. The inhabitants of this country believe that the human soul lives there and should not bother it with an unnecessarily familiar touch. Especially if it is the soul of a baby.
Do not tie your shoelaces in public
In Asian countries, the feet are considered a particularly unclean part of the body. You can offend a person simply by showing him your soles, sitting cross-legged. It is also considered indecent to show someone your bare legs. It is also considered rude to tie shoelaces in public.
No salt and pepper
A simple request to transfer pepper or salt in Egypt and Portugal would be taken as an insult to those who cooked the food. Personal tastes are nothing - etiquette is more important. By asking for seasonings, you are implying that the cook was so incapable that he could not properly prepare the dish. You shouldn't even look for a salt shaker and a pepper shaker - it is not accepted to put them on the table.
Don't bring wine with you
Bringing a bottle of wine with you to visit a Frenchman is bad form. This nation is confident that it understands the intricacies of wine etiquette better than many, so such a surprise is not a welcome gesture, but a sign of disrespect. You think that the hosts didn't choose the right drinks for your meal, or they don't have the wine that you like. At the same time, you can send a bottle as a gift. But here it is important to correctly calculate the time - if you do this after visiting, then this is also an insult. But, if a Frenchman praised a drink at your dinner, then you can give one to him at the opportunity.
