Eating etiquette changes from country to country, culture to culture. Some mealtime behaviors and table manners might be acceptable in certain places but not everywhere, meaning there is really no standard when it comes to eating etiquette around the world. When travelling or meeting people from other countries, it is important that you learn their customs and traditions because you might insult them without even realizing it. Here are some mealtime traditions and etiquette from other other parts of the world:

Africa

In Ethiopia, there’s a tradition of hand-feeding each other called gursha, which means “mouthful.” This act of dining from someone else’s hand is a gesture of hospitality and social bonds between those sharing the food.

Europe

In Europe, people never rest their hands in their laps; rather, they place their wrists on the table.

Keep in mind the Continental style of eating – fork in your left hand and knife in your right.

When passing a dish to someone on the table, pass it to your left.

Always use utensils, even for the food that are considered “finger foods.”

Middle East

In many Muslim cultures, the left hand is considered “unclean” that is why people use only the right hand to eat, without the utensils.

Muslims show great respect for food and the effort exerted into making it, that is why when somebody drop his bread, he should pick it up, kiss it, and raise it to his forehead before putting it back on the plate.

East and South Asia

In Japan and China, people slurp their noodles to show appreciation for the meal.

While in Europe, it is a must that you finish everything on the plate, it is a no-no in many Asian countries. It would suggest that the host didn’t feed the guest enough. Instead, leave a small amount on the plate to show that you are full and that you acknowledge the host’s generosity.

In Japan, it is an insult to tip the waiter at a restaurant. It implies that he’s not making enough money and that he is treated lowly.

In India, it is a tradition to wash the hands and the mouth before the meal.

Also, it is acceptable to lick the fingers as it shows the host how much the guest enjoyed the food.

If you want to return the favor to the host after a good meal, don’t say “Thank you,” instead show your gratitude by inviting the host over a dinner.

Central and South America

It is very common for the people in Mexico to haggle over paying the bill when eating out.

In Chile, taking a second helping is offensive. You must wait for your host to offer you more food.

In most Central American countries, people do not begin to eat until the host says “Buen provecho!”

When eating in informal restaurants, summon the staff by making eye contact, waving or calling their names is impolite.

When you travel, you interact with many different kinds of people and anywhere you travel you would always need a few basic phrases in a foreign language so you can get around. Here are some basic communication skills to help you communicate effectively when you travel to a non-English speaking country.

Italian

Boun giorno – Hello / Good morning / Good afternoon
Bouna notte – Good night
Bouna sera – Good evening
Ciao – Hi / Hello / Bye
Come sta? – How are you?
Come va – How are you?
Grazie – Thank you.
Mi dispiace – I’m sorry.
Parla inglese – Do you speak English?
Prego – You’re welcome

French

Au revoir – Goodbye
Bonjour – Hello/Good morning/afternoon
Comment allez-vous? – How are you?
Excusez-moi – Excuse me.
Est-ce que vous parlez anglais? – Do you speak English?
Est-ce que vous pouvez m’aider? – Can you help me?
Il n’y a pas de quoi – You’re welcome.
Je ne comprends pas. – I don’t understand.
Merci – Thank you.
Oui/Non- Yes/No

Chinese

Nǐ hǎo ma? – How are you?
Xièxie. – Thank you.
Duìbuqǐ- I’m sorry.
Hěn gāoxìng rènshì nǐ. – Nice to meet you.
Zàijiàn – Goodbye.
Nǐ hui4 shūo yīngyǔ ma? – Do you speak English?
Zǎo ān. – Good morning.
Wǒ tīng bu4 dǒng. – I don’t understand.

Japanese

Arigatu – Thank you.
Hai – Yes.
Dōitashimashite. – You’re welcome.
Gomennasai. – I am sorry.
Konbanwa. – Good evening.
O-negai shimasu. – Please
Ohayō gozaimasu. – Good morning.
O-namae wa nan desu ka. – What is your name?
O-genki desu ka. – How are you?
Wakarimasen. – I don’t understand.

Spanish

Buenos dias – Good morning.
Buenas tardes – Good afternoon
Buenas noches – Good evening.
Cómo está usted? – How are you?
Mucho gusto. – Nice to meet you.
Adios – Goodbye
Hasta luego – See you later.
Que hora es? – What time is it?
De nada. – You are welcome.
Gracia – Thank you.

Airports have heightened its security over the years to ensure the safety of passengers and everyone inside the place. To avoid delays, here are some tips to make your check in and check out as smoothly as possible.

1. Avoid packing up things that are not allowed inside the airport. You can always check for the things that are prohibited or restricted with your airline.
2. Go to the airport ahead of time. It is better to be at the airport an hour or two earlier before the flight.
3. If you are not navigating in your home airport, check the airport map and familiarize yourself with the locations of different facilities inside the airport.
4. It is better to weigh your bag before check-in. Many airports have installed scales, weigh your bag to make sure they are not overweight before you reach the check-in counter.
5. In most cases, it is better to travel with carry on baggage, but if you are travelling with items unapproved for hand carrying, check them in.
6. Before check-in, make sure to prepare all the necessary documents. Have in hand all the items and documentation you need before you fall in line.

A bar or a pub is an establishment that sells alcoholic beverages like beer, wine, liquor cocktails and the likes. Since bars are public drinking places, the customers here are a mixture of different races and cultures. Here are some bar etiquette that you may want to keep in mind to maintain a friendly atmosphere among the people inside a bar.

1.Bring cash. If you are alone in a bar and having only a drink, you should pay in cash. You are wasting the bartender’s time and delaying his tip if you’re not.

2.Don’t ask the bartender to give you a little extra. Most bars measure their shots and drinks. They have rules with regards to the amount of serving and managers watch carefully if the staff follow the rules, since they make money out of beverages.

3.Don’t get attention by whistling or snapping your fingers. It is rude and insulting.

4.Don’t argue. There are times, people inside the bar would drink more than what is good for them. If you happen to be in that situation, don’t argue with the bartender. It is better to leave the bar.

5.Make sure to tip the bartender. Tip more if you’ve got a better service.

To have a really enjoyable and memorable travel, one should think of safety first. Here are some tips you might want to take whether you are a newbie or an expert traveler.

1. Never be distracted. Thieves, robbers or pickpockets have this tactic of distracting their prospect victim first. They will swarm around or offer something interesting to you but don’t get caught by their tricks.

2. Secure your luggage. Always keep your luggage locked. Make sure your lock cannot be easily opened, broken or tampered.

3. Secure your cash, credit cards and any other valuable things. Keep your valuables with you or within your sight at all times. If staying in a hotel, you may deposit your valuables if they have that service; rather than keeping them inside your room.

4. Save emergency numbers. It is important that you are familiar with the emergency numbers in the place where you stay. Whatever happens you can always ask someone for help.

5. Blend in or try not to stand out. Wear simply or try to dress like locals so the bad guys won’t think you are tourist.