Today, we will learn about table manners from various countries around the world!
First, let’s learn about the table manners of Japan!
Because the distance is close and the travel cost is relatively low, I think many people travel to Japan, travel, and study abroad a lot. What kind of table manners do we have in Japan?
Typically, the difference between meals between Korea and Japan is divided into two categories: eating a bowl or spooning with a spoon. In the case of Korea, if you eat with a bowl of rice, you think it’s as bad as a beggar’s, but on the contrary, in Japan, if you eat with a bowl of rice, it seems like a dog is eating. This originated from a culture in which Japan only uses chopsticks.
That’s why people usually use only chopsticks and eat with a bowl of rice.
Also, it is polite to make a slurping sound when eating noodles. This is a sign that they are eating deliciously. However, it is said that table manners are very contrary to table manners in Western cultures.
Next is Chinese table manners.
When you went on a trip to China, did you ever feel hygienic because the restaurant’s bowl seemed to be worn out? In Korea, when the bowl is worn out, it is replaced with a clean one for hygiene, but in China, the restaurant’s bowl is said to be proud of the store’s old history as evidence of its old history! You don’t have to worry because it’s just old on the outside, but it’s not that you don’t care about hygiene. 🙂
Also, it is recommended to order food even if possible. This is because Chinese prefer even numbers to odd numbers. When you travel with your family or acquaintance, you can order as much as you want, but it’s good to keep this etiquette when you eat with Chinese people.
Lastly, when a Chinese acquaintance invites you to eat, don’t eat it all! In the case of Korea, if it is polite to eat as much food as possible when you are invited to eat, China is the opposite. Please refer to the fact that if you eat all the food left, you will think that there was not enough treatment.
Next is Indian table manners.
I think you’ve heard it a lot. Basically, I use my hands to eat food. You must eat with your right hand at this time. This is because there is a culture in India that considers the left hand as an unclean hand.
Because you eat with your hands, it is polite to wash your hands before meals and not talk when eating. You have to talk after you finish eating and wash your hands and mouth. The reason is because of saliva. In India, I think food is the main culprit of contamination. So, they don’t talk because there is a possibility that they will spit while talking.
Lastly, when you are invited to eat, you should not leave your seat until the eldest or owner finishes eating. If you’re in a really hurry, you have to ask for his understanding for a while. It’s harder than you think, so please remember it well.
Let’s move on to Europe. The next country-specific table manners are France.
What do you do first when you go to a restaurant? Call the waiter to order the menu. Usually, I sing it in words or raise my hand. But in France, when you call a waiter, you just have to make eye contact without raising your hand.
And when you drink wine with an acquaintance in France, you have to wait until someone pours it. Before that, it is not polite to pour or give a hint alone.
It is polite not to leave food when you are last invited. It is similar to Korea and the opposite etiquette to China. This is because I think it was not delicious if I left food. If you don’t want to hurt your hard-prepared acquaintance, it’s better to know these table manners well.
Next is British table manners.
British table manners are quite tricky. First of all, when you put down your fork and knife while eating, you should put it in the direction of 8:20.
On the contrary, if you finish eating, you can put it in the direction of 6:30 or 4:20. In addition, you should always eat with a knife and fork at official occasions, and it is better to express your gratitude by saying “Thank you” when the food comes out.
Finally, it is polite not to put your elbow on the table. I think this is a similar culture to Korea. Also, in France, soup is tilted out of your body and eaten, but in England, it is the opposite, so please refer to it.
Lastly, shall we learn about American table manners?
First of all, in the case of napkins, it is said that it is not polite to put your elbows on the table or hold your chin.
What’s unusual is that you should ask the person next to you to deliver the necessary seasonings, such as butter and jam, rather than pick them up yourself when they are far away from your seat. Also, if you sneeze or yawn during a meal, you have to say “Excuse me” and ask for understanding.
Lastly, the U.S. has a particularly active tip culture, so it’s good to know well. When you pay in cash, leave about 10-15% of the meal cost on the table as a tip, and when you pay by card, you can write down the amount separately in the column where you write down the tip.
Like this, we learned about the table manners of each country. If you go there mistakenly, it’s easy to be taken as a rude person, so it’s a good idea to know before you go. Even if it’s not table manners, it’s better to learn each country’s culture in advance, right?
I hope this information will help you. I only taught you typical table manners. There are much more to know, so I recommend you to learn more about the table manners of the country you want to go to. Thank you. 🙂