Table Manners From Around The World

Table manners are the etiquette employed when eating. What works in one country does not necessarily translate the same way elsewhere. There are various customs and behaviors that count as good, and also bad, table manners around the world. This is a look at some of those habits and what certain actions when dining with others signify.

In the United Kingdom, it is considered rude to reach for the salt and pepper before tasting the food first. It is considered to be offensive to the individual who prepared the meal to reach for any condiments without first trying the food. This is because the action implies that the cook is not skilled enough to prepare a tasty meal for his or her guests.

It is also considered rude to begin eating before everyone at the table has received their meal. Traditionally, the host or hostess of the meal should be the first to begin eating, unless they ask the guests to proceed without them. Saying Grace is also perfectly acceptable where the host or hostess may be religious, or at least a special thanks from the guests for their hospitality.

Also considered rude in Great Britain is to talk when one's mouth is filled with food or too eat too quickly. A diner should never reach for a bowl of food over another person, but rather ask to be passed the bowl instead. Licking fingers or utensils is frowned upon, as well as slurping or making noises whilst eating.

In India, burping and slurping are also considered to be rude. However, in countries like South Korea, slurping when eating is perfectly acceptable behavior. In fact, chewing with one's mouth open is not frowned upon in this country. Burping in Sweden and Hong Kong is taken as compliments to the chef and an indicator that the meal was enjoyed.

In most countries, it is considered particularly offensive to answer a call or be otherwise preoccupied with one's phone, book or computer at the table. This is with the exception of breakfast, especially in the Western hemisphere where the newspaper is often read at the table. If one has urgent business to attend and the meal is interrupted, the diner must profusely apologize and excuse themselves.

There are some basic manners that are considered common knowledge and etiquette from an early age, depending on the country and the culture. In the Western world, utensils placed together signify to the host or waiter that the diner has finished their meal. This gives them permission to take the plate away, as opposed to if the utensils are left opened or crossed in a wide X, indicating a mere pause in the consumption process.

In some countries, like India, the pace at which one eats is very important. Eating too slowly may imply that the meal is not good, while quick consumption is just plain rude. Additionally, good table manners include eating small amounts at a steady, medium pace. This also helps to minimize the amount of noise made whilst eating.


Table Manners Across The Globe

The term table manners refers to the set of unspoken rules of behavior during meals. This set of rules differs depending on which country one visits. Certain types of behavior are favored in some countries, whilst in others, the same actions can offend others at the table, particularly the host. The following takes a brief look at what some of those behaviors are and how they can be interpreted by fellow diners.

In the UK, a diner should not make a move towards the salt or pepper before even tasting his or her meal first. Reaching for condiments before giving the food a taste can highly offend the person who cooked the meal. It indicates that there is no belief in the skills of that person to satisfy one's hunger.

A diner should not start their meal until fellow diners have received their dishes. Tradition states that the host of the dinner should begin eating before everyone else can begin, unless otherwise stated by the host. Grace is not uncommon, but an alternative would be for the guests to give a special thank you to the host for preparing the meal.

In the United Kingdom is it also rude to speak with a mouthful of food, or to consume one's food too quickly. Diners should not reach over one another for dishes; it is always best to ask for someone to pass the dish. To lick one's utensils or fingers, and also to slurp, burp or make any other noises during consumption, is highly frowned upon.

East Indians also find that slurping and burping noises are rude. That being said, however, there are places where it is not such a big deal, such as South Korea. Chewing food with an open mouth is also quite common there. In Hong Kong and Sweden, a burp is taken as a compliment to the chef.

Distracting objects like cell phones are generally off-putting. Answering a call in the middle of a meal or typing emails is very rude. However, any people across the world do make the exception for breakfast, when the morning newspaper is usually read at the table. If, for any reason, someone must take a call mid-meal, they should excuse themselves with a proper apology to other diners.

Many of the rules associated with dining are taught at a young age and are general knowledge to the individuals within a certain culture. In the West, placing a knife and fork side by side in the center of the plate is a sign that the diner is finished with their food. They are letting the host or waiter know that they can remove the dish from the table. Leaving utensils open or crossed shows that the diner may simply be taking a pause in eating.

India is one of many countries where the speed at which one eats is significant. Eating slowly can be a sign of not liking the meal and eating quickly is simply in bad taste. However, consuming small amounts steady at a medium pace shoes good table manners. Eating like this also stops unnecessary noises made when chewing.


How Table Manners Differ In Different Parts Of The World

Table manners are all about the way you carry yourself throughout a meal, especially when dining with others. A lot of how you should behave depends on the setting and also the country you are in at the time. This is because different places subscribe to a different set of rules when it comes to eating without offending fellow diners or the host of the meal. Here are some tips on what is acceptable and what is not in various parts of the world.

When dining in Britain, you should never reach for condiments or pepper and salt before you have even tried the food. You could really offend the host or the chef by doing this. This is because your action would be implying that you do not trust the person preparing the meal to be able to cook properly.

All diners should have their dishes placed before them before anyone begins eating. If you start your meal before the host does, this could be very rude, unless the host has indicated that everyone else can begin. The host or hostess may wish to say Grace, which is fine, or you or one of the other guests may want to extend a special thank you to him or her instead.

If dining in the UK, you should never talk with your mouth full or eat too fast. These actions, as well as leaning or hovering over others in order to grab a dish, are not considered polite in any way. It is best if you ask someone to pass you the dish you want. You should also never lick your fingers, nor utensils, and remember that slurping, burping or making too much noise when eating is a no-no.

In India, they also frown upon noises made during meals. In South Korea, however, no one will mind if you slurp. You can even chew with your mouth open! In Sweden, and also in Hong Kong, burping at the end of a meal is a way of telling the chef that you enjoyed the meal.

You should put away your phone or other distractions when dining with others. It is often considered to be in bad taste to be on a call or constantly checking your phone at the table. If you need to answer a call, you should excuse yourself by apologizing to those dining with you. The exception for distractions is the morning newspaper, which many read during breakfast.

There are some basic rules in dining etiquette that you may learned as a child. These include knowing how to place your knife and fork to show you have finished your meal or are simply pausing. Utensils side by side in the middle of the plate show that the meal is finished and the plate can be taken away. However, crossed or open utensils on the plate let the host or waiter know not to come and remove the dish.

India is one country where fast consumption of a meal is thought to be rude and eating too slowly may be sending the signal that you do not like the meal. You should aim to eat at a medium pace with small amounts of food entering your mouth, which will also reduce any unwanted noises in exercising decent table manners.



