Portugal

Do: – leave a tip. Around 10 per cent of the bill is common.

Don’t: – ask for salt and pepper if they are not provided on the table. It is considered to be an offense to the chef’s seasoning skills.

France

Do: – keep your hands above the table. Rest your wrists on the table and not on your lap.

– use bread to mop up bits of sauce or food on the plate. Always tear a piece of bread off instead of   biting directly into it. When not in use bread belongs on the table not on the plate.

Don’t: – split the bill. It is considered to be the height of unsophistication. Offer to pay the bill in its entirety or someone else will.

Japan

Do: – drink directly from the soup bowl as spoons are uncommon. Slurp your food especially noodles and soup. It shows your appreciation to the chef – the louder the better!

Don’t: – leave a tip. Tipping staff is very rare and can be seen as rude.

            – cross your chopsticks, lick them or stick your chopsticks vertically into a bowl of rice, these     are all considered very rude

            – pass food using chopsticks either, a similar practice takes place at funerals.

Italy

Do: – avoid milk beverages after a meal as they can hinder digestion, go for an espresso instead

       – add 5-10 % tip for exceptional service. The rest of the service charge is usually included in the bill.

Don’t: – ask for parmesan cheese if it is not explicitly offered. It’s a huge faux pas to put extra cheese on top of your pizza, and worse still to add it to seafood.

India

Do: – wash your hands both before and after eating, pay close attention to the fingernails.

Don’t: – eat too quickly or too slowly, a medium pace is important.

            – eat with your left hand, it is considered unclean. Use the right hand instead, cutlery is rarely provided.

Thailand

Do: – expect all dishes at once rather than in set courses

      – be ready to share. Sharing food is very common and dishes will often be served to split amongst the table

Don’t: – eat from your fork, use it only to push food onto your spoon

            – take the last bite from the sharing bowl

China

Do: – belch! This is seen as a compliment to the chef for creating a satisfying meal.

       – arrive on time and dress out of respect for your fellow diners.

Don’t: – tip. Restaurants often have a no tipping policy.

                – finish all your food, leave a small amount of food on your plate to show your host gave you more than enough to eat

– dig through your food for anything in particular, it’s very rude.

Can you match the countries with what is acceptable to do in them?

Key:

1. d.

2. g.

3. a.

4. f.

5. b.

6. e.

7. c.

Can you do the same with the ’don’ts’ ?

Key:

1. f.

2. g.

3. b.

4. a.

5. e.

6. d.

7. c.