From Guelph Mercury
Depending on where you dine in Asia you’ll encounter table manners that are very different from the West. In Vietnam you may hear your fellow diners noisily and happily slurping noodles or hot beverages. In Thailand you’ll see locals using their hand to roll sticky rice into balls before eating. But here are some things you won’t see:
• In the West it’s polite to lay your cutlery flat on your plate and off to the side when you’re finished eating. The same goes with chopsticks. Don’t leave chopsticks sticking out of a bowl of noodles or rice. In some Asian countries chopsticks are placed this way in ashes during funeral rites. Rest your chopsticks on top of your bowl when you’re finished savouring your meal.
Chopsticks in rice. Image from Wikihow.
• Just because its Asian food, doesn’t mean you need chopsticks. Generally, chopsticks are used in China, Japan, Vietnam and Korea, but they aren’t used in all Asian countries. For example, in Thailand people use a fork and spoon. In Indonesia and Laos people use their right hands. If a restaurant doesn’t provide chopsticks, chances are it’s because chopsticks aren’t used in the country whose cuisine you’re enjoying.
• Keep in mind that you are savouring fine food, not casting a spell. Don’t point your chopsticks at a fellow diner or wave them around like a wand as you speak.
Read the full article from Guelph Mercury.
