How not to embarrass yourself at the table in different countries: 8 unusual rules

Half a cup of tea in Dubai and Kazakhstan

In Dubai and Kazakhstan, there is a tradition of serving tea in incomplete cups to guests who are to be kept as long as possible. This means that the host will add tea to their guests' cups throughout the conversation.

If you receive a cup filled to the brim, it may be a hint that it's time for you to leave - your stay is considered too long. Therefore, if you want to avoid inconvenience, pay attention to the level of tea in the cup!

Clean teapot in China

In China, it is important to keep the teapot clean, but not to wash it with detergents. Each teapot has its own "soul" that cannot be killed by chemicals.

Instead of washing, the Chinese rinse the teapot with water or use sand to clean it. This tradition implies that the remnants of tea in the teapot give it a special taste and aroma, so it is wrong to interfere with this process.

Asking for cheese in Italy

Italians love their cheese, but if you ask for more cheese on your pizza or pasta, it can be perceived as an insult to the cook. This means that you think that the dish he has prepared is not perfect and needs to be adjusted.

Therefore, instead of asking for extra cheese, it is better to appreciate the chef's skill and try the dish in its original form.

Do not ask for salt and pepper in Portugal and Egypt

Many countries have a salt and pepper shaker on the table, but in Portugal and Egypt, asking for salt or pepper can be seen as disrespectful to the cook. Such a request implies that the food was not cooked or seasoned well enough. In these countries, it is better to leave the salt and pepper in place unless the situation requires it.

A foreign country has its own traditions at the table (photo: Freepik)

Don't use forks in Thailand

In Thailand, the fork is not the main cutlery, as in many other countries. It is only used to transfer food from the plate to the spoon. Only then is the food sent to the mouth with a spoon.

Using a fork for direct eating is bad form and can cause misunderstandings among locals.

Did you like the dish? Don't finish it in China

In China, empty plates after a meal are a sign that the guests are not full or that the host has not provided enough delicious food.

If you enjoyed your meal, it's best to leave some food on your plate to show that you are full and satisfied. Otherwise, the host may think that you didn't have time to get enough because of the poor quality of the food.

English tea drinking in the UK

The British have their own unique tradition of having tea at 17:00. They often add milk to tea and drink it not hot, but in a chilled form. It is also important to remember that in England, they try not to touch the cup with a spoon so as not to create unnecessary sounds, as this can be perceived as bad manners.

Be careful with chopsticks in Japan

Chopsticks in Japan are not only a practical tool, but also an important part of the culture. Never stick chopsticks vertically into food; this is traditionally done only at funerals to honor the deceased.

Also, food should not be passed around with chopsticks - this reminds the Japanese of the ritual of passing bones during cremation, which can be perceived as disrespectful.

You may also be interested in top 8 countries where you can live like an oligarch for a pittance.

Sources: Intrepid Travel and Lovefood websites.