Loading ...- Category:
- Soap Box
- Author:
- Contributor
- Posted:
- Tuesday, 21 July 2009
We’d like to thank you once again for flying United Etiquette Airlines after last week’s column. Please put your tray tables up, as we are about to enjoy more delectable cuisines from around the world and explore dining etiquette in various countries.
Our first stop is Deutschland. In Germany, they love their beer. But no matter how many you have had, be sure to look each person in the eye as you clink glasses. In Cologne they firmly believe that you are cursing yourself with seven years bad sex if you don’t make eye contact… And you thought it was harsh having your grandmother scorn you for having your elbows on the table! The British are usually accused of being precious about their potatoes but in Germany you must not cut potatoes with a knife. It seems simple, but it offends well brought up Germans. The simple explanation is that if you crush your potatoes with a fork it gives a rougher surface to soak up the gravy. While you have your knife in hand, feel free to cut your bread roll in half horizontally, which varies from the English way of using your hands the break apart a bread roll.
If you like to make a bit of noise then maybe Japan is the place for you to eat. Slurping your noodles loudly is seen as a compliment to the chef. Like China, chopsticks, or ohashi, are commonly used in Japan. If you forget where you are, Japanese chopsticks are tapered, and Chinese chopsticks aren’t. Some find it tricky getting the food from bowl to mouth with chopsticks. Feel free to lift bowls to your mouth. This is accepted in all circles. Rice is an important food in Japan and you should always eat a little bit before starting on any other dishes. If you have a full bowl of rice you should never stick the chopsticks in it and leave them standing upright. This is how rice is offered to the dead at funerals and to do so at the dinner table invokes bad luck.
I never realised how closely sex and food were related but apparently when raising your glass and toasting your hosts in Japan, never make the mistake of shouting ‘Chin chin!’ Chin-chin is a Japanese colloquial word meaning ‘penis’.
As the Germans and the Japanese have different etiquette standards to the English or Australian standard, you will find no matter where you go there is something new to learn. When in Italy and eating spaghetti, you will often just be served with a fork and no knife or spoon. You use the side of the bowl to twirl the pasta around the fork. When sitting at an Islamic table don’t point the soles of your feet towards others as it is considered offensive. When eating a whole fish in Poland you must not turn it over but rather remove the bones when you get to the middle, then continue eating downwards… this is because turning over the fish turns over the fisherman’s boat. In a tapas bar in Spain all the detritus such as pips, crumbs, disposable napkins, cigarette butts, etc are thrown on the floor. This breaks years of conditioning but is in fact a part of the tapas culture. The detritus is swept up at the end of the evening.
All this new etiquette may seem a little daunting as you sit at tables around the world. However you may want to see it as an exciting opportunity to learn about the diversity of customs that this world has to celebrate. Finally if you are feeling a little nervous about getting it all wrong, maybe Israel is the place for you. Apparently, when one is in Israel, anything goes.
