17 Rules Of Dining Etiquette From Around The World That You Should Know About

In France, for example, you shouldn't eat the bread before the food arrives.

1. First, in India, you should always eat with your right hand.

Sompote Saelee / Getty Images

If you're eating a meal with your hands, make sure to use your right hand, and don't actually put your fingers in your mouth. Just use your thumb to push the food in.

2. In Egypt, there is a specific protocol to serving drinks.

Sisterspro / Getty Images

You might not think getting up from a meeting or gathering to refill your glass is bad manners, but in Egypt, this is a sign of bad education. Usually, someone (like your neighbor) will offer to do so. That said, you should then refill your neighbor's glass for them in turn.

3. In France, you should not eat your bread before the rest of the food arrives.

Raw / Getty Images

You might snack on bread as an appetizer before the main event without giving it another thought, but in France it is different. If they bring you bread, it’s to accompany your food; it is not an appetizer.

4. In Italy, you shouldn't add parmesan cheese, ketchup, or hot sauce to your pizza.

Nortonrsx / Getty Images

Few things bother Italians as much as adding extra condiments to pizza.

5. Also, don't order a cappuccino after dinner.

Martín Damian Monterisi / Getty Images

Also in Italy, it isn't proper to order a cappuccino at the end of the meal. The normal drink to order is an espresso, because Italians see coffee as a digestive and not as a dessert.

6. In Japan, tipping is frowned upon.

Janjutamas / Getty Images

Tipping a person for a rendered service is a very common custom in many countries, but, the opposite is true in Japan . It is very rare and in some places, they'll even reject the money.

7. And if you take a break during a meal, do not stick your chopsticks in the rice.

Margouillatphotos / Getty Images

In Japanese culture, it is a symbol of bad manners, and it brings bad luck. The rule comes from a Buddhist tradition, where rice — with chopsticks placed vertically in the rice — is offered to the dead.

8. If you're dining in Korea, hold off on digging in until the elder person in your party begins eating.

Halfpoint / Getty Images

In many countries, it is customary to wait to eat until all the diners have served. However, in Korea the tradition is a bit different, because you're supposed to wait for the elders of the group to eat first. So, if your grandpa eats slowly, you should, too.

9. And if they offer you a plate, always accept it with both hands.

Kritchanut / Getty Images

Make sure to hold the food firmly and with both hands, because it shows respect and gratitude.

10. Don't ask for the salt (or pepper) in Portugal.

David Jackson / Getty Images

In Portugal, asking for the salt or pepper is considered offensive to the chef.

11. In Thailand, it is unusual to eat from your fork.

Kckate16 / Getty Images

In Thailand, using a fork to eat reflects poorly on you. Rather, you should use the fork to push food onto your spoon.

12. In Chile, you shouldn't use your hands to eat — not even if it's French fries!

Bymuratdeniz / Getty Images

In Chile it’s simply not correct to use your hands to eat.

13. In Russia, it's rude to turn down another drink.

Km Photography / Getty Images

If a Russian offers you a drink, tradition dictates you should accept it. It's because offering a drink is a sign of trust and friendship, so if you reject it, you are basically saying "I'm not interested in being your friend."

14. Also in Russia, you shouldn't be mixing the vodka with anything else.

Km Photography / Getty Images

Vodka in Russia should be taken in a straight shot, much like tequila is in Mexico.

15. If you drop bread on the ground in Afghanistan, you should pick it up.

Yoann / Getty Images

After picking up the bread, you should kiss the bread and put it to your forehead, before putting the bread back somewhere other than the floor.

16. Don’t toast with beer if you're in Hungary.

Mediaphotos / Getty Images

If you're raising a glass in Hungary, don't do it with beer — Hungarians may interpret that as the worst discourtesy since in 1848, when the Hungarian revolution was defeated by the Austrians, the event was celebrated with beer.

17. And finally, in China, don't leave behind a clean plate.

Tarnrit / Getty Images

You might think it's good manners to finish everything on your plate, but in China, leaving a little bit of food on your plate is a sign that you're full and that you've been provided with more than enough food.

What other rules of international dining etiquette did we leave out? Leave yours in the comments below!

This post was translated from Spanish.