The norms of etiquette, adopted in another culture, may seem strange, and sometimes funny. But good manners are to protect yourself from embarrassment in advance by learning what customs you should follow in the country you are going to visit.
Squish while eating and burp after
The skill is silently - an indispensable skill that is instilled in one of the first educated children in European countries. In Japan, mothers teach babies to sip when they eat soup or noodles and drink tea. Oriental etiquette sees in this behavior a compliment to the art of the cook - the food is so tasty that there is no strength to wait until it cools down and therefore you have to squish to cool the food. If it’s hard for you to make such sounds, at least try to drink the last sip of tea, squishing loudly. So you show the owner that you are satisfied with his treat.
In Europe, a well-mannered person can burp only by accident and be sure to apologize, embarrassed. In China, it is considered good form not to restrain belching after eating - how else will the cook know that the guest is full and the dishes were delicious? Belching is considered a compliment to food also in India and Bahrain.
Uneasy sticks
Eating in China, do not stick chopsticks vertically in a dish or turn the fish over by eating meat from one side to the other. Such actions, in the opinion of the Chinese, can cause trouble. The most superstitious do not even eat the fish, if in order to get to the meat, it must be turned over.
Sticking chopsticks vertically in rice is a bad omen in Japan. This is a sign for the mourning ceremony. You should also not wave your wands, point them to something, and even more so to someone. It is indecent to feed someone, passing them a try to eat a piece of food from their chopsticks into strangers. The last custom is also associated with the funeral - this is how the bones are moved from the ashes after cremation.
Do not give chrysanthemums and lilies
Flowers are often perceived as a universal sign of attention, suitable for both dating and dating, as a compliment and apology, appropriate for weddings and funerals. And it is with the bouquet that you can get into the most unpleasant situations in another culture. Etiquette, dictating how many and what colors 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, even even numbers are fortunate, and odd ones are ominous. In Germany and Italy, it is customary to give red roses only to lovers, in Iran they do not like yellow flowers, Japanese etiquette dictates that white flowers have a place only at a funeral. In France, chrysanthemums and lilies of any shades are an attribute of grief.
Spit more often
In most countries of the world, spitting is an expression of contempt, spitting is unhygienic and, of course, ill-mannered. But the African Masai people, who live in southern Kenya, do not care about each other - a symbol of respect, a wish for good luck. Masai necessarily spit at a wedding, spit on a newborn and, of course, you should definitely spit in the direction of a dear guest. Amazing custom? But, you see, no stranger than spitting over your left shoulder, driving away misfortune.
"Clean Plate Society"
Modern etiquette rules do not directly dictate to eat everything from one's plate, but this is considered a good form, especially at a party. Having eaten the whole dish, you show that it was tasty and do not force the hostess to clean the leftovers and regret spoiled food. However, if you also enter the Philippines, the host will be deeply offended. After all, eating everything clean, you make it clear that he is greedy and spared 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" - inspire Europeans from childhood. Being late, you abuse the time of others and show your disrespect. This is not the case in Tanzania. All well-mannered people come late for at least 15-20 minutes. To assume that someone will arrive on time is to assume that he is completely uncouth. Do not come on time in Mexico. Having rushed minute to minute, you will 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 may be an intimate and friendly gesture, but a non-close person can be offended. In Italy, the tongue stuck out is considered to be such a strong insult that they can be fined for it. But in Tibet, sticking out the tip, or even the whole language at a meeting, is a tradition, a gesture of politeness. It is believed that once upon a time the Tibetans were so frightened by their cruelty with one black tongue that the people of Tibet who believe in reincarnation at the meeting immediately demonstrate to each other that they are good people.
Do not order afternoon cappuccino
Italians believe that cappuccino should be drunk only in the morning. Most often this is due to the belief of the older generation that correctly prepared coffee is a full meal, especially if you serve a croissant to it. It is also said that grandmothers warned Italian children that milk and drinks with milk drunk after eating 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 having made such an order you will immediately show that you are a tourist, unfamiliar with the rules of good form.
Use a knife and fork
This table etiquette rule seems familiar, European, only modern manners have long allowed in some cases to depart from it. For example, a hamburger, shawarma, tacos or a simple sandwich can be eaten by hand. Just never do that in Chile. Residents of this country believe that they are inherent in European culture in everything and approach it as formally as possible, serving a fork and knife even to french fries.
Don't be left handed
In most Arab countries, in particular in Saudi Arabia, the left hand is considered "unclean." She decided to wash herself after visiting the toilet, so it’s very rude to stretch out her left hand as a sign of greeting, and also impolite to pass something “one left” and even more so touch food with this hand. Therefore, left-handed people will be especially difficult 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 nice and friendly gesture. But do not try to repeat it in Thailand. Residents of this country believe that the human soul lives there and do not bother her with too much familiar touch. Especially if it is the baby’s soul.
Do not tie shoelaces in public
In Asian countries, legs are considered a particularly unclean part of the body. You can insult a person simply by showing him your soles, sitting cross-legged. It is also considered indecent to show someone their bare legs. It is considered rude to tie shoelaces in public.
Without salt and pepper
A simple request to hand over pepper or salt in Egypt and Portugal will be perceived as an insult to those who cooked food. Personal tastes are nothing - etiquette is more important. Having asked for seasonings, you are hinting that the cook was not so skilled that he could not properly prepare the food. You should not even look for a salt shaker and pepper shaker with your eyes - it is unacceptable to put them on the table.
