Surprising Etiquette Rules from Abroad

Eating is a major part of the travel experience. It's one of the main ways that we learn about other cultures. Yet, there's a lot more to the custom of eating than simply putting food in your mouth. There are many subtleties that go along with a meal in a foreign country. Here are a few that might be good to keep in mind, and other tips can be found here.

French rules of bread
In France, bread is not an appetizer. Though it may be placed on the table prior to the arrival of food, it is intended to be eaten with the meal rather than before it. Specifically, it's a good idea to save the bread until the cheese course, which typically comes at the end of the meal. Also, there's no need to use a bread plate in the country, as it is generally preferred to leave your place your bread directly on the table.

Finger food vs. untensils
No matter what you're eating, be it french fries or cheese cubes or anything else, always use a utensil when eating in Chile. Though it might not be the most practical route, it's more polite. You'll fit in with the country's more formal, European dining style. In Mexico, however, using a fork and knife to eat a taco is considered snobby, so it is polite to eat tacos with your hands.

Drinking rules
In Bedouin culture, coffee refils are constant. To let them know you've had enough, tilt the cup back and forth two or three times when you hand it back. In Russia, do not add any mixer or any ice with your vodka, since this is seen as ruining the purity of the drink. When offered a drink by an elder person on Korea, receive it by using both hands. Then turn your head away to take a small sip. Doing so is a sign of respect for the older person, which is very important in Korean culture. Keep in mind that Italians consider cappuccinos to be an inappropriate drink after noon. While an espresso is fine at any time, cappuccinos are only had in the morning. Finally, in the country of Georgia, people don't sip wine during a feast. Instead, they drink the (usually small) glass all at once, at the end of a toast.