25 Strange Food Etiquette Rules for Travel

Posted by , Updated on March 21, 2024

For those of you trying to blend in on the road here are 25 strange food etiquette rules you should know while traveling.

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25

In Thailand don't put your fork in your mouth. Rather, use it to put the food on the spoon and eat from that

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24

In the Arab world people don't eat with their left hand because that hand is typically used to clean up in the bathroom if you catch the drift

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23

In the UK make sure to tilt the soup bowl away from you

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22

In Japan chopsticks are used to pass bones during funerals so they should never be used to pass food

strange food etiquette rules
21

In China you should burp at the dinner table if you enjoyed the food

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20

In Mexico you should never eat tacos with a fork and knife. It's kind of like eating a burger with silverware

strange food etiquette rules
19

In France the bread is typically placed directly on the table rather than on a plate

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18

But keep in mind that the French don't eat the bread as an appetizer. They either eat it with their meal or after

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17

In China flipping the fish over while cooking it is really bad luck. It's kind of like saying the fisherman's boat is going to capsize

strange food etiquette rules
16

In Chile people typically don't eat anything with their hands, not even the french fries

strange food etiquette rules
15

In Korea drinks from elders are accepted with both hands

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14

Also in Korea, you shouldn't start eating until the eldest male at the table does so

strange food etiquette rules
13

In Russia hardly anything should be mixed with vodka, not even ice. It would be seen as dirtying its purity

strange food etiquette rules
12

If you ever find yourself drinking coffee with Bedouins in the Middle East make sure to shake your cup when you are finished otherwise they will keep pouring you more

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11

You should never stick your chopsticks upright into your rice. This is yet another tradition associated with funerals in places like Japan

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10

In some parts of Asia, slurping while eating your noodles is considered polite

strange food etiquette rules
9

In some cultures (Philippines, Cambodia, Korea, Egypt) finishing all the food on your plate signifies to the host that they did not feed you enough

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8

In other places, like Japan, finishing your plate signals that the meal was good and you are finished

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7

The Inuit people of Canada will fart after meals to express their appreciation of the food

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6

If you want to appear "cultured" you shouldn't cut your salad with a knife in France. The lettuce leaves are typically folded onto your fork

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5

In Tanzania it is considered rude to be on time for dinner. You should be between 15 and 30 minutes late

strange food etiquette rules
4

In China you should never point at people with your chopsticks. Doing so is a serious insult

strange food etiquette rules
3

In England bananas should be eaten with a fork and knife

strange food etiquette rules
2

In Italy you should never ask for extra cheese unless it is offered to you. The cheese your pizza comes with will have to do

strange food etiquette rules
1

In Portugal you shouldn't ask for salt and pepper if they are not already on the table. It is considered offensive to the chef's seasoning abilities

strange food etiquette rules