“One of the best parts about traveling is getting to experience the food and customs
of different cultures, many of which date back hundreds of years.
It's important to understand the dining rules of each country you visit so that you can avoid insulting others or embarrassing yourself.
Luckily, we're here to help — here's a list of table manners you should be aware of when visiting 17 different countries around the world,” the Business Insider
says.
GEORGIA: If you find yourself at a traditional supra feast in Georgia, only drink your wine during a toast. It's seen as rude to sip it throughout the evening.
FRANCE: Don't eat your bread as an appetizer in this country. Instead, bread is served to accompany your food.
BRITAIN: In Britain, port is passed to the left, all the way around the table until it is finished. There are varying opinions on why this tradition started — some say it comes from the navy, since the port side of the boat is on your left if you're facing the helm.
CHINA: Never flip over a whole fish after you've eaten one side, especially in southern China and Hong Kong, as it's considered bad luck. Also, don't leave chopsticks upright in a bowl of rice, as it's reminiscent of a ritual where people make offerings to the dead.
GERMANY: If you’re going to order Weisswurst — white sausages served in a hot watery broth with a side of sweet mustard — don't do it after noon. They're cooked fresh in the morning and must be consumed before the clock strikes 12.
INDIA: Always be sure to eat using your right hand, as the left is considered unclean. This is also the case in Morocco and parts of the Middle East.
IRELAND: You should never order an Irish Car Bomb in Ireland. It references a tragic incident in 1989, when a car bomb planted by the Irish Republican Army exploded in a suburban shopping district.
ITALY: If cheese isn't already offered to you, don’t ask for it. Though we often do it in the US, Italians consider it a sin to top dishes like pizza, pasta dishes, and seafood with Parmesan.
JAPAN: You should never leave chopsticks upright in a bowl of rice here. You should also never use them to pass food, as this is reminiscent of a funeral tradition where remains of the deceased are passed to family members using chopsticks.