9 unique food etiquette rules from around the world

Food is not just about nourishment, it is a reflection of culture, tradition, and social values. What may look perfectly normal at your dining table might be bad manners or unusual elsewhere. From avoiding eating foods with bare hands to leaving some food in the plate, the food etiquette rules are varied and reflect how diverse dining customs can be. Take a look at these 9 unique food etiquette rules from around the world.

In Italy, drinking a cappuccino after noon is considered unhealthy. It is believed that drinking coffee after lunch hours kills hunger. In fact, people in Italy don't drink coffee on an empty stomach and enjoy it with croissants or light snacks.

This is one of the hardest food etiquette rules to get used to. In Thailand, the proper way to eat is to transfer food from your fork, onto a spoon and then into your mouth. Otherwise, one can eat with chopsticks or just a spoon. Here, putting a fork in your mouth is considered bad table etiquette.

In India, it is important to finish everything you are served. Here, leaving food on the plate is considered to disrepectful to the host and the food. It is also proper dining etiquette to wash and dry your hands before the meal, compliment the host after eating, and wait until the others stands up before you leave the table.

In Chile, eating with bare hands is bad manners. From fries and pizza to sandwich, everything is meant to be eaten with a knife or a fork.

In China, a gentle burp after a meal is seen as a sign that you are satisfied with the meal and enjoyed the food. While this may feel bizarre in other traditions, here it is a reflects appreciation for the host.

While in many countries leaving food on the plate is not a good sign and is not well received, but here, leaving a small amount of food on your plate indicates that you are full and the host has provided more than enough. It is a sign of satisfaction and if you finish everything, it suggests you’re still hungry.

Tipping servers at restauants is often considered normal, but in Japan, as per their dining etiquettes, tipping at restaurants is considered disrespectful. Here, good service is considered a standard, not something extra.

In South Korea, respecting elders at the table is inevitable. As per traditions, the eldest member present at the table takes the first bite of the meal. This is a way of respecting the elders.

This is quite bizarre, but it is said that in France, it is important to keep your hands (not elbows) visible on the table while eating. Here, resting your hands on your lap is considered poor table etiquette.