International Dining Etiquette1. Asia■ Rules of using chopsticks■ Rest them o

International Dining Etiquette
Good morning, everyone. Today we’ll talk about international dining etiquette. Different countries across the world may have different dining etiquette rules. To avoid too many surprises, today we’ll take some time to look at some common dining etiquette rules.
OK, let’s start with Asia. Everywhere in Asia you will be expected to eat with chopsticks. There are a few rules about using chopsticks. Rule 1: Rest chopsticks on your plate or a chopstick rest when not using them. Rule 2: Avoid to rest them in or across a rice bowl. Rule 3: If you can’t use them well, you may use your rice bowl as a safety net, holding it close to your mouth as you eat.
Next, let’s move onto to Africa. Africa is so huge, diverse, and complicated that it is difficult to say much about a shared dining etiquette across the continent. A few general things exist that can be pointed out, however. Africans are famous for the pleasure they take in eating and entertaining and for their generosity. If you’re invited to someone’s home almost anywhere in Africa, be prepared to be impressed by your host’s generosity. In many countries, you will find no utensils of any kind and will be expected to eat with your hands. Watch your hosts in other countries for similar taboos and follow their lead.
In Middle East, Arabs are known for their hospitality and their meals. Alcoholic beverages are becoming more common even in Muslim countries, but Muslims do not drink, so do not ask for alcoholic beverages. Even when drinking is permitted, drunkenness is considered awkward. If you eat with your fingers, use only your right hand to eat.
Business lunches are common throughout Latin America, and usually long, from 1:00 or 2:00 p.m. until 3:00 or 4:00 p.m. Dinner is a purely social event, and can occur very late. It’s not unusual to sit down to dinner at 10:00 or 11:00 p.m. throughout Latin America. In general, you should keep your hands above the table at all times when eating, and pass food and drink with your right hand.
Throughout Europe, table manners are much like those in the United States, but there are a few minor differences. Europeans eat using the Continental style. When using this style, hold your fork in your left hand and your knife in your right. You then eat with your fork still in your left hand. The fork and knife should remain in your hands at all times. Europeans tend to be more strict about table manners than Americans are. Do not rest your elbows on the table, but keep both hands above the table at all times. Accomplish this by resting your wrists on the edge of the table.
OK, I hope the talk today will help you avoid making mistakes when you enjoy your dinners in other countries. However, if you do make a mistake, then you have to take a humble and respectful attitude.