UNUSUAL FOOD AND DRINK TRADITIONS AROUND
THE WORLD
In FRANCE, it is considered rude to cut the lettuce in
a salad; salads are meant to be folded over and eaten with a fork. If you are
drinking wine, your glass will always be refilled. If you do not want anymore,
leave your glass almost full.
In ENGLAND, bananas are to be eaten with a knife and
fork; a custom which dates back to the 1800’s when bananas were seen as an
exotic treat.
GERMANS do not cut their potatoes or dumplings with a
knife. This would suggest that they are not completely done.
In JAPAN and KOREA tipping after a meal is offensive
since it is seen as begging.
Drinking beer from a bottle is considered rude in
TANZANIA. It should always be poured in a glass.
You must wait for everyone to be served before you
start eating in ITALY except when you are served pasta. This you can start
eating as soon as it is served to you.
Bringing wine to your host/ hostess in PORTUGAL is
considered insulting.
Do not salt your food in EGYPT since the person who
prepared it will be insulted because he/she prepared it the way they intended
it to taste.
In RUSSIA and CHINA you must leave a small amount of food on
your plate to let the host know that he/she is generous and has provided an
adequate amount of food. However, in
INDIA and the PHILIPPINES, not clearing you plate is considered rude and
wasteful.
In JAPAN, when eating ramen, you are expected to “slurp”
loudly to show enjoyment but, in a more practical way, to cool the noodles
as you eat them, as well.
In AUSTRIA, one must make eye contact with every person
you “clink” glasses with when making a toast.
