Here a few samples:
In the USA one handed food is prefered since the time of the Wild West: One never knew when it was needed to grab the revolver and therefor one hand was always "available" for duty. While the one hand was holding the fork and stuffing the hungry mouth the other was holding on to the Colt .... and even these days lots of Americans eat with one hand only (I just hope that the other one is not holding to a Colt today)
Going out with friends for dinner no need to wish each other to enjoy the meal like happening in the old world - the waiter will take over that duty after serving the last person of the group - now that's service, isn't it?
Again a difference between Old World and North American table manners: Should one have to go to the bathroom during the meal this should not be mentioned while leaving the table in the "New World" - it is enough to say that you will be right back.
There are lots of other table manners to observe: In Japan and China it is common to slurp the soup and show the host that you really enjoy it. In both countries the chop-sticks are the "tools" on the table. It is absolutely a "faux-pass" to stick them into the rice since this one usually is presented to the ancestors as special gift. You don't want to get on the wrong side of the ancestors ....
In a lot of Islamic countries as well as in India and Thailand people eat with their hands. Dishes are served on one large platter and everyone can serve himself. One thing is tabu in these countries: The left hand is not to be used to take the food since it is considered "dirty". People clean themselves with this hand and even the hands are washed before a meal and sometimes even in between the different courses.
Spaghetti without spoon and Baguette without knife: The French loves his Baguette bread. But bread will be broken and not cut - they will use the knife for other food like fruits but not to cut bread. In another country of Europe - Italy the use of a spoon to eat Spaghetti is not correct. This past should be eaten with a fork only: No cutting it, not biting it off and no spoon! So, make sure that you don't overload your fork when starting loading it with this traditional pasta dish.
If you finish your plate in Russia you signal to the host, that you are not full and would like more. Best to avoid to get seconds or thirds is to leave just a small amount of food on your plate - it will show your host, that you are full.
As you see, what's considered impolite in certain parts of the world may just be the right thing to do in other places. Best is to find out ahead if possible. Also, some families may have their own little rules and procedures they follow.
Don't let you hold back by being afraid not to do the right procedure - keep exploring it and enjoying it
Hope you had as much fun reading this little article as I had - and may be this will make you think about your own rules and manners around food
Again a difference between Old World and North American table manners: Should one have to go to the bathroom during the meal this should not be mentioned while leaving the table in the "New World" - it is enough to say that you will be right back.
There are lots of other table manners to observe: In Japan and China it is common to slurp the soup and show the host that you really enjoy it. In both countries the chop-sticks are the "tools" on the table. It is absolutely a "faux-pass" to stick them into the rice since this one usually is presented to the ancestors as special gift. You don't want to get on the wrong side of the ancestors ....
In a lot of Islamic countries as well as in India and Thailand people eat with their hands. Dishes are served on one large platter and everyone can serve himself. One thing is tabu in these countries: The left hand is not to be used to take the food since it is considered "dirty". People clean themselves with this hand and even the hands are washed before a meal and sometimes even in between the different courses.
Spaghetti without spoon and Baguette without knife: The French loves his Baguette bread. But bread will be broken and not cut - they will use the knife for other food like fruits but not to cut bread. In another country of Europe - Italy the use of a spoon to eat Spaghetti is not correct. This past should be eaten with a fork only: No cutting it, not biting it off and no spoon! So, make sure that you don't overload your fork when starting loading it with this traditional pasta dish.
If you finish your plate in Russia you signal to the host, that you are not full and would like more. Best to avoid to get seconds or thirds is to leave just a small amount of food on your plate - it will show your host, that you are full.
As you see, what's considered impolite in certain parts of the world may just be the right thing to do in other places. Best is to find out ahead if possible. Also, some families may have their own little rules and procedures they follow.
Don't let you hold back by being afraid not to do the right procedure - keep exploring it and enjoying it
Hope you had as much fun reading this little article as I had - and may be this will make you think about your own rules and manners around food
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