Table Manners From Around The World – Continued

By popular demand, here are tips on how to observe dining etiquette in 6 more cities around the world.

1. Dining Etiquette in Shanghai

Travel east and those partial to a hearty burp will be welcomed in Shanghai. To Chinese people, a good belch is accepted as a sign the diner has thoroughly enjoyed their meal.

Leaving a little food on the plate in China shows the host has been generous enough to provide you with more than plenty, though it’s not usually considered polite to leave any rice in the bowl. It is a staple food and a precious commodity.

2. Table Manners in Tokyo

Making a noise when you eat is considered rude in most Western cultures. Such is our intolerance to the otherwise natural sounds of chomping, crunching and slurping, the noisy nibbler is subject to a sideways look of disgust.

But those of us who savour silent swallowing may be repulsed if we sat down in a ramen restaurant in Tokyo. Slurping your food in Japan shows the chef you’re enjoying what they’ve served up, so sucking on noodles with saliva-saturated sounds is a huge compliment.

But remember, leaving anything of your meal in Tokyo goes against the fundamental principle of mottainai – a feeling of regret at having wasted something.

3. Culinary Customs in Cairo

Dining rules are elaborate in Cairo. Known as the uzooma, there is a certain back-and-forth dance that Egyptians like to entertain with.

A guest will always be offered more food, but at first, be expected to refuse. The host will insist for a while but be politely declined once more. Eventually, the extra helping will be accepted with gratitude. And asking for extra salt or spice is also considered a sin.

4. When in Rome

Asking for extra cheese on your pizza in Rome is a no-no. Italians consider themselves food purists, so your waiter will offer you a spoonful of grated parmesan and that’s your lot.

Meals in Italy can be long, drawn-out affairs. The antipasti starter is followed by the primipasta or soup dish before the secondo meat course finally follows. When in Rome, vegetables to accompany the main are usually only acceptable with a separate order of contorno.

5. Party Politeness in Paris

Set eating hours are the norm in Paris. Dinner is usually not served until 8 pm, so you may need to pop into a patisserie for a treat after your lunch.

The customer is usually wrong when it comes to food in Paris. The French consider themselves food artists, but commenting on the delicious smell of the dish would delight your Parisian host who will conclude you were right about that.

6. Lunching in Lisbon

If you were to ask for extra salt and pepper in Lisbon you would have broken restaurante etiqueta. If they are already on your table, a pinch is acceptable but directly asking your Portuguese server for some additional seasoning risks upsetting the chef. Even worse would be to snap your fingers at the waiter to ask for it. You’ll be ignored for being an extremely rude diner.

Table Manners Part 1