Photo Credit (Pixeles)
Exposure to diverse cuisines is one of the pleasures of traveling elsewhere. This, in my opinion, accounts for half of the experience; it’s a valuable glimpse into the kinds of food that the people eat every day.
Cross-cultural variations, which can occasionally involve odd and peculiar eating habits, account for half of the remaining percentage. These various customs can occasionally make us feel uncomfortable or appear inadvertently impolite. Strange, however, is really a question of perspective, isn’t it?
We’ve put together a list of eating habits that may help you when you go abroad.
India
The fact that Indians customarily eat with their hands is very well known. But traditional Indians are not the only ones that engage in this behavior. Whether they live in India or not, a large number of Indians in urban areas still eat with their hands. Some claim that doing so makes meals and curries more tasty, possibly because you can customize the mixture to your own preferences.
Prior to starting your meal, make sure you thoroughly wash your hands. Eating with your left hand is regarded as impolite and unsanitary; always use your right hand. As a general rule, avoid putting your fingers in your mouth and avoid letting any food come into contact with your palms. Instead, press the food into your mouth with your thumb.
China
It takes some getting used to using chopsticks when eating Chinese food. In order to hold the chopsticks correctly, place the first stick between your thumb and ring finger and the second stick like a pencil. To serve as a kind of fulcrum, place your middle finger between the two chopsticks.
It’s much easier than it sounds to eat with chopsticks, but be careful not to aim, tap, suck the tips, or use them upside down. Sticking it vertically into your rice dish is also very forbidden, especially if you are around a superstitious group of people, as this resembles the use of traditional incense to honor the deceased.
Japan
Fresh hot towels, known as oshibori, are distributed to customers in Japan (and some local Japanese restaurants) so they can wash their hands before eating. When your orders arrive, it’s also considered courteous to say “itadakimasu,” which translates to “I graciously receive” or, to use a French translation, “bon apetit.”
Additionally, do you recall your mother telling you not to slurp your soup? When traveling to Japan, forget about all of that.
When consuming noodle soup or ramen, it is traditional in Japan to slurp as loudly as possible. In addition to purportedly improving the soup’s flavors as you eat it, it acts as a show of enjoyment. Expect to cough and choke a lot during your initial attempts if you’re a beginner like me.
Iran and the Middle East
Eating with your hands is a prevalent practice in the Middle East. In Iran, visitors are supposed to help themselves to the bread with their hands, and it is typically served whole in the center of the table (or occasionally right on the table). At the center of the table, supplementary side dishes are occasionally offered as well. Scoop up the accompanying dishes with the bread after tearing little pieces of it. When eating with your hands, avoid licking or putting your fingers in your mouth.
It’s also common in Iran for people to consume a lot of food for lunch, followed by a rest period during which merchants and shopkeepers close for a few hours to avoid the heat. Therefore, be careful to get some food before then.
The United Kingdom
If you’re a Malaysian reading this, dinner might not be the same as what you and I are used to. The word “dinner” can refer to the afternoon meal, or lunch as some of us call it, depending on where in England you are traveling. Depending on how late it is eaten, what we term dinner is frequently referred to as tea or supper. Later in the evening, supper is typically a lighter meal.
In many regions, the word “dinner” refers to the largest and most significant meal of the day, regardless of whether it is an afternoon or evening meal, and the distinction is irrelevant.
Therefore, be sure to inquire about the time of day when your British colleague extends an invitation to supper.
Korea
Respect for elders is an important thing to remember in Korea. Verify that the elderly and senior members of the table have started eating before starting a meal. It is not customary to hold your rice bowl in your hand while eating here, unlike in China and Japan, unless you are accepting the meal that is being served to you. It is courteous to hold your bowl or glass with two hands while you are being given food or beverages.
Russia
The biggest and largest meal for Russians is lunch, which is often had between 1 and 3 p.m. Their dinners are usually lighter and can include just breads, meats, and veggies. Typically, tea is served following dinner. In Russia, vodka should be consumed unadulterated, without ice or mixers. It is believed that vodka loses its purity when it is mixed with other substances.