Cross cultural dining etiquette involves considering the following points:
. Seating - is there a protocol as to who sits where? Should one wait to be seated? Is it acceptable etiquette for men/women to sit next to one another?
. Eating - what utensils, if any, are used? Is it a knife and fork, hands or chopsticks? Is there any etiquette around using them?
. Body language - how should one sit? Is it bad etiquette to rest elbows on the table? If seated on the floor what is the correct position?
. Conversation - is the meal the proper place to engage in conversation? If so, is discussing business appropriate?
. The food - what foods are common to eat? Is it good etiquette to compliment the cook and how? Does one finish everything on the plate? Is it polite to ask for more.
. Home/restaurant - what differences in etiquette or protocol would there be? Does one take a gift to the home? Who pays the bill at a restaurant?
By way of outlining some of the cross cultural differences in dining etiquette across the world, the following countries shall be used as examples:
Dining Etiquette in Germany:
. It is good etiquette to remain standing until shown where to sit.
. Table manners are continental - fork in left hand and knife in right.
. Do not begin eating until the host signals to do so.
. It is bad etiquette to rest elbows on the table.
. Try and cut food with the fork as it compliments the cook by showing it is tender.
. Everything should be eaten on the plate.
. Indicate you have finished by lying the fork and knife parallel across the right hand side of the plate.
Dining Etiquette in Japan:
. An honoured guest sits at the centre of the table furthest from the door and begins eating first.
. Learn to use chopsticks - never point them, never pierce food with them, rest them on the chopstick rest when breaking for drink or chat.
. It is good etiquette to try a bit of everything.
. Conversation is subdued.
Dining Etiquette in Turkey:
. Meals are a social affair. Conversations are animate and loud.
. The head of the family or honoured guest is served first.
. It is good etiquette to insist the most senior is served first instead of you.
. Asking for more food is a compliment.
. If taken to a restaurant, Turkish dining etiquette has strict rules that the one who extended the invitation must pay.
Dining Etiquette in the USA:
. The fork is held in the right hand and is used for eating.
. To use the knife, the fork is switched to the left hand. To continue eating, the fork is switched back to the right hand.
. If you are more comfortable eating in the Continental manner it will not offend anyone.
. Foods or drinks can be refused without causing offense.
. Many foods are eaten by hand.
Dining Etiquette in the Middle East:
. Guests are honoured with prime choice of meats - head, eyes, etc.
. Eaten with right hand only.
. Meat is torn by holding down the piece against the dish and ripping off a desired amount with forefinger and thumb pressed together
. Rice is scooped up.
. Do not be afraid of making a mess.
. If you are finished leave food on your plate otherwise it will be filled immediately.
. It is proper etiquette to compliment the host on the food and his hospitality.
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