As your body language differs depending on circumstances mainly in tune with the persons you surround or situation you are placed in, your food protocol also has to differ depending on the country or city you are in.
Whether you call it food etiquette or food protocol, you have to tune yourself with the local proprieties and customs when you are at your breakfast table or luncheon party to avoid misunderstandings among your local friends or hosts or associates.
For example, when you use chopsticks, you should familiarize yourself on using them. Or else, you may be caught on the wrong foot. In case you are in a Japanese hotel or in the company of a Japanese friend, faulty use of them may remind the friend of his / her grandmother’s funeral.
The food protocol differs from country to country and you must be conscious of the following 15 rules when you travel.
Rice items in Thailand are taken with hands
In Thailand, certain Thai dishes, made of rice and looking gummy or sticky, are eaten with hands. For most of the items, you should never use fork to take food into your mouth directly. Transfer the food to a spoon through fork first and then to your mouth. Only certain stand-alone items not forming part of a rice-based meal can be eaten with a fork.
Using chopsticks in Japan
In Japan, chopsticks are made to stand upright in a rice bowl before a coffin at the time of funeral. You must avoid using them in an upright mode in a rice bowl when you are at it. On a table, you must keep the chopsticks parallel to the edge of the table.
Don’t put left hand on food items in India
Unless you are used to use left hand by habit or default, never use left hand to touch or take food into your mouth with left hand when you are in India, Africa and Middle Eastern countries.
Don’t skip wine if you are in Georgia
In Georgia, wine is taken at toasts as traditional feast. If you are at it, you have to drink and down it at one go. If you refuse to take it, you may be considered as a rude person by the locals.
Tacos are taken with hands in Mexico
Use your hands to eat tacos such as refried beans when you make a trip to Mexico. Never take them with a knife or fork.
Italians take cappuccino before noon
Most of the Italians take cappuccino as an alternative to the meal and others take it with a croissant for breakfast. But it is never taken after 3 pm and after a lavish dinner. If you want to reveal yourself as a tourist, you can do that.
Don’t put Parmigiano on pizza in Italy
Never try to put parmigiano on pizza when you go to Italy as it is considered a sin in that country. You should never seek any cheese food item if they don’t offer it to you.
Remember the Bishop of Norwich over meal in UK
If you are at a meal in the UK, never pass the decanter to the right since it becomes a goof up and is not considered as passing at all. If the decanter stalls, you have to ask the person with it, “Do you know the Bishop of Norwich?”
In case they say no, say “He is s a very good chap, but he always forgets to pass the port”. It is a tradition there and you have to follow it.
Take bread as part of your meal in France
When you go to Paris, take bread as part of your food mostly at the end of the meal as an accompaniment to the cheese course. You can also place the bread directly on the table and it is no wrong. It is not treated as an appetizer.
Don’t flip the fish in China
When you visit any part of China, don’t ever try to flip a fish as it is meant to convey the meaning of bad luck. Flipping fish is considered as turning upside a boat in a sea.
Use knives and forks at a meal in Chile
Most of the food items in Chile are taken with knife and fork. Never take them with your hands.
Learn to respect elders in Korea
If you make a visit to Korea, make sure to lift your glass with both hands as a mark of respect when an elderly persons offers you drink. Also, don’t leave the table when you finish your meal unless and until the elder person finishes eating.
Don’t ever turn down vodka in Russia.
During your trip to Russia, never turn down the drink Vodka if it is offered to you by any one. If you turn it down, you may be grossly misunderstood to be turning down the person’s friendship.
Shake the coffee cup to say enough in Middle East
In Middle East countries, you have to shake the cup two or three times indicating you don’t want more of it when you are offered coffee. If you don’t shake the cup, you will continue receiving it.
Keep the green side of tokens up in Brazil to get more
When you order something to eat in a Brazilian restaurant and when the waiter brings it, keep the green side of the token on your table up. When do you don’t want it, keep the red side of it up.
