2023-07-20 19:35:03
Do you almost always add salt to your food? In Egypt and Portugal this is considered impolite. And there are other rules of decency to be observed – depending on the destination.
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Published20. July 2023, 21:35
Whimsical rules of etiquette: adding salt is impolite, yellow flowers represent hatred
You know, other countries, other customs. From time to time, the latter are so surprising that you have to know them in order not to put your foot in it. We’ll help you with that.
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There are manners, customs and rules of propriety in every culture. Once you know them, many feel so natural that you don’t even have to think regarding them. But it’s different during the holidays – if you don’t want to be seen as rude (or obviously as a tourist), it’s worth knowing one or two rules of decency. The provider of digital financial services for immigrants, Remitlyhas rounded up some of the most unusual.
Watch out for port wine, fish and bread
You don’t have to travel far to find other customs. In the UK, for example, it is important when it comes to port wine. In a carafe it is always passed to the left. If someone takes too long, they’re bound to ask, “Do you know the Bishop of Norwich?” The bishop was known to fall asleep with the carafe in front of him – passing it on is the order of the day.
In China, instead of port wine, it’s regarding fish. Once on the plate, you should never turn it over. Getting to the bottom is therefore a bit more difficult, but saves you from getting angry looks: The custom comes from a fisherman’s superstition that says that spinning the fish will capsize a boat. If there is no boat, it simply brings bad luck.
In China, turning over a whole fish on a plate is bad luck.
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In Afghanistan, it’s the bread that you should pay special attention to: if it falls, it doesn’t go straight into the garbage. You should pick it up, kiss it (yes, really) and hold it to your forehead in a sign of sacred reverence. After that it can go.
Know table manners
In many countries around the world, burping is considered rude, but in Iceland and Senegal (almost side by side, right?) it’s considered a compliment to the chef. In Japan, the same applies to slurping: it is common and seen as a way of saying thank you for the food.
In Japan, slurping is a good sign rather than a taboo at the table.
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Are you a salt lover? Then you have to be careful in Egypt and Portugal: In both countries, it’s not the best way to ask for extra salt in your meals.
behavior as a guest
Anyone invited to South Korea, whether as a guest or business partner, should sing in beforehand: karaoke is considered good manners there. Things get a little more intimate in Finland: business meetings are sometimes moved to the sauna. And clothing when sweating is a taboo.
You want to bring flowers as a good guest? In Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia you should ensure an even number of flowers in the bouquet. An odd number is considered rude. In Bulgaria, yellow flowers are interpreted as a sign of hatred – so not the best choice either.
You shouldn’t give away yellow flowers in Bulgaria. It might be interpreted as a sign of hatred.
Unsplash/Aleksandra Sapozhnikova
In Venezuela, it only gets tricky when you say goodbye. However, if you know this rule, you can avoid awkward situations: If the host or hostess puts a broom behind the door, it is a sign that it is time to go home.
What special rules of decency have you learned elsewhere?
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