Extraordinary Food Customs Around the World-Eating is like putting your dress on, everyone has their own style. Countries have different specialties, food habits and even food customs.
So that means, before heading to a new foreign restaurant or dining in while on your vacation abroad, it's better to know what extraordinary food customs are practiced there.
"When in Rome, do what the Romans do" as the quote says. Here are some of the extraordinary food customs around the world that may really surprise you:
India
India is a traditional country, and when you're there, follow what the Indians do. This applies even to the manner of eating. Indians treat the right hand as clean or hygienic. That's why they only eat with the right hand, or with a spoon or fork using only the right hand.
Left hand is regarded as 'dirty.' Why? They said the left hand is only used for washing unsanitary parts of the body. Now you know it, never attempt to use your left when you're in India if you want to be invited again in a gathering.
Japan
While slurping soups is a bad manner in many countries, this thing is different in Japan. Slurping soup loudly is highly acceptable because it just means that the person enjoys the food he is eating.
South Korea
In South Korea, when you are eating with other people on the same table, don't ever eat ahead of somebody who's older than you. The older one will always be the first to eat as a sign of respect even the person will be your siblings.
China
One food custom in China pertains to the use of chopsticks. When you are using chopsticks, never point it to somebody, or wave it, or rest it on the table while pointing to someone. It is also inappropriate to leave it standing upright on your rice bowl because it is the way they do it when offering foods for the dead.
Thailand
In Thailand, it is a rule not to use a fork when putting food in the mouth. Yes they use fork, but their food custom is to use fork only to push the food into the spoon. They use a spoon and never with a fork to transfer food into the mouth.
