Travellers must consider knowing what's rude or not when dining in various cultures from different countries all over the world.
Huffington Post reported that The Restaurant Choice has released a guide in dining do's and don'ts from European to Asian countries.
In Portugal, a person is considered to be disrespecting the chef when looking for salt and pepper unless those were served. A tip worth 10% of the bill is also expected by Portuguese waiters.
In France, people use bread to wipe the leftover sauce and bits on the plate. Unless eaten, the bread remains on top on the table and not on the plate. The hands should also rest on top of the table when dining. Placing hands on the lap and splitting the bill are considered disrespectful and unsophisticated.
In Japan, slurping soup and noodles is a form of appreciation to the chef's dish. Since the use of spoon is very rare, Japanese people drink soup from bowls. Licking, crossing and sticking your chopsticks vertically into a rice bowl are considered very rude. Leaving a tip for waiters is considered as disrespect.
In Italy, it is not necessary to ask for extra parmesan cheese unless served, especially in pizza and seafood. Italians also prefer to drink espresso over milk after a meal for easier digestion. Service charges are already included in the bill.
In India, people use their right hand in eating since cutlery is rarely available. Using the left hand, especially with dirty fingernails is considered disgusting. Hindus also eat at a medium pace, not too fast and not too slow.
In Thailand, fork is only used to push the food to the spoon and people don't eat from it. Although sharing is common, it has already been a tradition for them to not eat the last piece from a shared plate. All of the dishes are served at the same time as well.
In China, it is rude for people to dig out food to look for a particular piece, and leave food on their plates after a meal. Belching is a form of appreciation to the chef, and arriving on time nicely dressed shows respect to people you're eating with.
