D I N I N G E T I Q U E T T E A R O U N D T H E

W O R L D
H A W A I I

Diners sat on the floor on either side of a

long mat (pa kauau) set with a poi bowl
between persons sitting opposite each other
and a meat dish between those sitting next to
each other. Exceptions were the kapu ali‘i
and favored children who used their own
personal dishes.

It was considered polite to eat what was placed in front of you and to
finish each dish. Smacking the lips to show appreciation was also good
manners. Sitting cross legged was appropriate for both sexes, though
women and young girls would also sit with their knees together and to
one side.
 E G Y P T

• Bring your host a sweet dish,

such as pastries, chocolate, or a Click icon to add picture
Getting from a meal or a
cake.
gathering to refill your glass
• Leave some food on your is considered bad manners
plate. It’s a sign that your host has in Egypt. Instead, you
been generous. should wait for someone
else (usually your
• Don’t eat with your left hand
neighbour) to offer to do so.
as it is usually the one used to
Similarly, you should also
‘clean up’ in the bathroom.
offer to refill your
neighbour’s glasses.
 Tipping is a common and even a
desired custom in many countries,
but quite the opposite is true in
Japan. It is quite rare, and in some
places, they might even reject the
money.

In Japanese culture, chopsticks placed vertically in rice in

offerings made to the dead and at funerals. It is therefore
considered bad manners and bad luck to do so during the
course of a meal.
Japan
Another funeral ritual in Japan consists of the passing of
bones from one set of chopsticks to another. So, it is
considered extremely rude and even taboo to pass food
this way.
 In France, you are supposed to use two hands to eat -- either fork
and knife or fork and bread. Bread isn't meant to be an appetizer --
instead it serves to assist the food to the fork. When you eat the
bread, tear off a piece of it to eat instead of biting directly into the
bread. When not in use, the bread belongs on the table or tablecloth
instead of the plate.

F R A N C E
• In Ethiopia, individual plates are
considered wasteful. Food is always
shared from a single plate without the
use of cutlery -- just hands.

• Expect a small earthenware or metal jug

to be brought to the table before the
meal is served. Extend your hands over
the basin while water is poured over
them.

• Only use the right hand for eating.

E t h i o p i a
 Kenya

• The honored guest is usually served first, followed by the

men, children, and women.

• It is considered polite to finish everything on your plate,

although it is not mandatory.

• Beverages are not generally served with meals since Kenyans

think it is impolite to eat and drink at the same time. They are
generally served at the completion of the meal.
 Vocabulary
Clean up- an act of making a place clean or tidy.
To gather- come together; assemble or accumulate.
To tip-to give extra money to waiter for his services.
Appetizer- a small dish of food or a drink taken before a meal or
the main course of a meal to stimulate one's appetite.
Tear off-a rupe
Tablecloth- a cloth spread over a table, especially during meals.
Beverage- a drink, especially one other than water.