At the word "etiquette", many begin to imagine elegant gentlemen who act perfectly in any situation. However, the world is large, and not everywhere the same behavior is regarded identically. This is largely reflected in food intake. It is no secret that regardless of race, nationality, gender and age ... In short, absolutely all people in the world love to eat. But how it is customary to do this already depends not only on the continent, but also on each nation in particular. And here the matter is far from being limited to Japanese chopsticks and prayers before a meal. Every corner of the globe has its own standards of behavior at the table and beyond. Today we introduce you to the unusual rules of etiquette in different countries. Ready for surprise, bewilderment and even embarrassment? Then we begin.
10. Spitting
Since childhood, everyone knows that spitting is an uncultured act. Almost everywhere they look askance at a person who openly spits on the street. Spitting in the direction of another citizen is regarded as a vile abomination, in some countries it is akin to an attack. But not with members of the Masai tribe (Central-East Africa). These guys spit on everything in the literal sense of the word. Such a gesture here is successfully used both as a greeting and as a sign of gratitude. Masayans spit on gifts before delivery, spit on newborns (some relatives specially come for this from afar), spit on friends and certainly in the cup of a neighbor. They do not care about each other, and they are very happy about it.
9. protruding tongue
Again, in childhood, we successfully teased each other with their tongue sticking out, it was fun pampering. In adulthood, not everyone uses this gesture, and not everywhere it is appropriate. For example, in Italy, a policeman will have every reason to fine a person for sticking out his tongue when communicating. In India, language outside the mouth means that you are very angry and are about to move on to the fists. But in New Caledonia, with the help of their tongue, they want energy and reason (the latter should really not be got ... a joke of course). Representatives of Tibet with such a gesture respectfully greet each other, and in the Caroline Islands, the language shown helps in the expulsion of demons.
8. Eating by hand
Here any generally accepted norms break off, in fact, each person decides for himself what to pick up with a fork and what you can grab with your hand (of course, if it's not about soup or tea). Nevertheless, there are some national foundations in this regard. So, in India, the absorption of food using hands is considered the only acceptable way, and in Ethiopia, any host considers it a duty to feed guests from their own hands. In Mexico, you will be recognized as an arrogant snob if you ask for appliances for served tacos or burritos, and in Germany the cook will be offended to the core if you want to cut a piece of boiled potato with a knife. But in Chile, it’s extremely impolite to grab even a small snack with your hands, everything must be taken with the help of appliances.
7. Empty a glass of wine at a time
In general, regarding the use of alcoholic beverages of the Russian person, it is hardly surprising. Nevertheless, the Georgian feast is quite tempting for those who like to empty a glass or two under tirades of well-meaning words and expressions. It is important that it is necessary to empty this very glass strictly at a time, that is, in one gulp. Another equally significant argument is that this can only be done after the toast is fully spoken. Georgians can spend several hours at such a ceremony, competing in wit more than one circle. As a rule, wine or vodka is drunk during feasts.
6. The latest party invitation
We are used to inviting guests ahead of time, often having previously discussed the menu or program for the evening with them, and wedding invitations are sent out generally a month before the event. We attribute this to the fact that all the actors need to prepare. They didn’t hear anything like this in advance to alert guests in Israel - they love spontaneity. If the locals have a Meshiba (the so-called parties), be sure that they will take care of inviting people last. In Israel, you should not be surprised at all when on Monday after taking an evening shower you will be called for a birthday that will begin in an hour and a half.
5. Kissing the fallen bread on the floor
The expression “Bread is the head of everything” definitely carries a meaning and background. In all corners of our planet, bread is respected and respected, but each nation expresses its high attitude to this product in its own way. So, in Afghanistan, a piece of bread that has fallen to the floor should be immediately picked up and kissed. Our grandparents can do exactly the same, for whom war and famine have fallen - they, like no one else, know the real price of bread, they kiss it at the call of the heart, without reference to the rules or traditions.
4. Belching
Well, who does not know the demand of the stomach to get rid of excess air ... The feeling of an approaching burp makes me shade in the presence of other people, wrinkle and think about how to make it quieter and more modest. In principle, this can be called a generally accepted norm, but in Asian countries (in particular, in China) they see nothing wrong with loud burping right at the table. On the contrary, there such behavior is considered an identification that you liked the food, as Mr. Gastric informs. By the way, the praise for the cook will be that you will arrange a mess on the table. So, if you liked the meal in the Celestial Restaurant, then you can safely outrageous in every way.
3. Gaseous emission
Or almost everything. Still, a concert from the rear “speaker” is not included in the list of events testifying to your gastronomic satisfaction, even in China. Is it worth talking about the attitude towards the emission of gases at the table in European countries. Nevertheless, there are people on our planet who celebrate a good meal so uncommonly. We are talking about the inhabitants of the Inuit tribes, whose distribution area is Greenland, Alaska, as well as some sites in Canada. So, having plenty to eat, our heroes, as a sign of encouragement to the cook, open the gas valve. If you are not Inuit, but fit the description, it is best to inform your gastroenterologist about your “talent”.
2. Serving half-filled cups of tea
“Demand topping” is definitely not about the next case. The fact is that in Kazakhstan it is customary to serve cups filled with tea only half. Surprisingly, this is how the landlord expresses respect to the guest - the less tea, the more respect (within reasonable limits, of course). It’s not worth asking to top up, it’s indecent for Kazakhs. A full cup is a sign that they want to send you away as soon as possible. There is one more explanation, more practical. Since bowls are used as cups in Kazakhstan, pouring to the brim does not make sense - after all, the bowl will become completely hot and it will be inconvenient to hold it.
1. Failure to tip
Tipping has long become a peculiar parable of the town. As a rule, the average tourist is far from always aware of whether it is customary to leave for tea in the country he has visited. In fairness, gratuities are not perceived as a compliment or promotion everywhere. For example, in Japan, you should definitely not supplement the bill amount from above - this will be insulting and humiliating for the waiter and the owner of the restaurant. In cold Iceland, the attitude to tips is no less cold. In Singapore, Taiwan, Paraguay and some Danish restaurants, gratuities are already included in the bill in the form of a service charge. Well, in China, as usual, everything is different. In general, contributions for tea are not encouraged there, but in Hong Kong and Macau, waiters count on them.