{"id":69920,"date":"2024-05-10T14:38:00","date_gmt":"2024-05-10T04:38:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/?p=69920"},"modified":"2025-02-26T02:23:59","modified_gmt":"2025-02-25T15:23:59","slug":"dining-etiquette-around-the-world","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/dining-etiquette-around-the-world\/","title":{"rendered":"Mind your manners: dining etiquette around the world"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>Dining in different countries involves learning the local etiquette \u2013 at least if you want to avoid any cultural faux pas.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Trying the local cuisine is one of the highlights of travelling. But what\u2019s acceptable at the dinner table in one country may not be the case in another. We all grow up with different table manners, but sometimes, when you travel, the etiquette you&#8217;re used to may be flipped on its head faster than you can say, \u2018No elbows on the table!\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>From eating only with your right hand in India to slurping your noodles in Japan, here are some dining etiquette practices you may encounter on your travels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:37px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"product_wrapper ipf-no-title\"><div class=\"product\" style=\"width:33.333333333333%;\" data-code=\"HHZM\"><div class=\"product-inner\"><div class=\"product-img\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/ipf\/HHZM.jpg\" width=\"100%\" height=\"auto\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/trips\/hhzm\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"product-name\">India Real Food Adventure<\/a><\/div><div class=\"product-footer\"><div class=\"product-footer-left\"><span class=\"product-days\">15 days<\/span><\/div><div class=\"product-footer-right\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/trips\/hhzm\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"product-btn\">View trip<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"product\" style=\"width:33.333333333333%;\" data-code=\"CJZK\"><div class=\"product-inner\"><div class=\"product-img\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/ipf\/CJZK.jpg\" width=\"100%\" height=\"auto\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/trips\/cjzk\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"product-name\">South Korea Real Food Adventure<\/a><\/div><div class=\"product-footer\"><div class=\"product-footer-left\"><span class=\"product-days\">8 days<\/span><\/div><div class=\"product-footer-right\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/trips\/cjzk\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"product-btn\">View trip<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"product\" style=\"width:33.333333333333%;\" data-code=\"XMZF\"><div class=\"product-inner\"><div class=\"product-img\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/ipf\/XMZF.jpg\" width=\"100%\" height=\"auto\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/trips\/xmzf\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"product-name\">Morocco Real Food Adventure<\/a><\/div><div class=\"product-footer\"><div class=\"product-footer-left\"><span class=\"product-days\">12 days<\/span><\/div><div class=\"product-footer-right\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/trips\/xmzf\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"product-btn\">View trip<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:37px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Don\u2019t eat with your left hand in India<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignwide size-large\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Intrepid-Travel-India-Udaipur-India-DSC02169-1-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"A traveller eating a traditional lunch in Udaipur, India\" class=\"wp-image-69930\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Intrepid-Travel-India-Udaipur-India-DSC02169-1-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Intrepid-Travel-India-Udaipur-India-DSC02169-1-425x239.jpg 425w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Intrepid-Travel-India-Udaipur-India-DSC02169-1-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Intrepid-Travel-India-Udaipur-India-DSC02169-1-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Intrepid-Travel-India-Udaipur-India-DSC02169-1-1170x658.jpg 1170w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Intrepid-Travel-India-Udaipur-India-DSC02169-1-585x329.jpg 585w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Intrepid-Travel-India-Udaipur-India-DSC02169-1.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Eating with your hands is the norm in many parts of <a data-wpil=\"url\" href=\"\/india\">India<\/a>. Locals even say it makes the food taste better. However, you should only ever use your right hand \u2013 even if you\u2019re a leftie. The left hand is traditionally reserved for \u2018unsavoury\u2019 activities like wiping yourself after using the bathroom, so using it to eat is considered unclean. You may get away with using your left hand in urban or touristy areas, but you\u2019ll probably get a funny look or two in more remote or rural places.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong><a href=\"\/india\/classic-rajasthan-160585\">Explore the enchanting northern state of Rajasthan<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:37px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Don\u2019t drink a milky coffee after 11 am in Italy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignwide size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Intrepid-Travel-Italy-Lake-Como-Tremezzo-DSCF3834-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"Four travellers enjoying a morning coffee in Lake Como, Italy\" class=\"wp-image-69925\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Intrepid-Travel-Italy-Lake-Como-Tremezzo-DSCF3834-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Intrepid-Travel-Italy-Lake-Como-Tremezzo-DSCF3834-425x239.jpg 425w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Intrepid-Travel-Italy-Lake-Como-Tremezzo-DSCF3834-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Intrepid-Travel-Italy-Lake-Como-Tremezzo-DSCF3834-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Intrepid-Travel-Italy-Lake-Como-Tremezzo-DSCF3834-1170x658.jpg 1170w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Intrepid-Travel-Italy-Lake-Como-Tremezzo-DSCF3834-585x329.jpg 585w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Intrepid-Travel-Italy-Lake-Como-Tremezzo-DSCF3834.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>If you order a cappuccino in <a data-wpil=\"url\" href=\"\/italy\">Italy<\/a> after 11 am or \u2013 heaven forbid \u2013 after lunch or dinner, be prepared to be met with a look of disdain, or maybe even an outright refusal from your waiter. There\u2019s an unwritten rule in Italy that cappuccinos should only be consumed at breakfast. Italians think milk is heavy and filling and believe drinking it later in the day can disrupt digestion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But what about if you overdo the carbs and fancy (read: need) a post-lunch boost? Do like the Italians and order \u201cUn caff\u00e8, per favore\u201d. You\u2019ll be served a small but caffeine-packed shot of espresso \u2013 most locals drink it with a teaspoon of sugar. Or, if you have room, why not treat yourself to an indulgent affogato, a dessert of gelato&nbsp;\u2018drowned\u2019 in espresso (affogato means \u2018drowned in Italian).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Another thing to note is that a cappuccino in Italy doesn\u2019t come dusted with chocolate powder; it\u2019s more like a flat white. Oh, and don\u2019t ask for a \u2018latte\u2019 unless you want a glass of milk \u2013 ask for a &#8220;caffe latte&#8221;.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong><a href=\"\/italy\/italy-real-food-adventure-160244\">Uncover the secrets of Italian cuisine on a Real Food Adventure<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:37px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. Don\u2019t cut pasta in Italy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignwide size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Intrepid-Travel-Italy-Spello-wine-tasting-lunch-truffle-pasta-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"A traveller eating a bowl of truffle tagliatelle in Italy\" class=\"wp-image-69924\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Intrepid-Travel-Italy-Spello-wine-tasting-lunch-truffle-pasta-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Intrepid-Travel-Italy-Spello-wine-tasting-lunch-truffle-pasta-425x239.jpg 425w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Intrepid-Travel-Italy-Spello-wine-tasting-lunch-truffle-pasta-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Intrepid-Travel-Italy-Spello-wine-tasting-lunch-truffle-pasta-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Intrepid-Travel-Italy-Spello-wine-tasting-lunch-truffle-pasta-1170x658.jpg 1170w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Intrepid-Travel-Italy-Spello-wine-tasting-lunch-truffle-pasta-585x329.jpg 585w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Intrepid-Travel-Italy-Spello-wine-tasting-lunch-truffle-pasta.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Never, ever, cut your pasta with a knife in Italy. It\u2019s considered sacrilege. Okay, cutting tagliatelle or spaghetti might be more practical than twirling it around your fork, but to do so would mean you miss the whole point of Italian cuisine: to take your time and savour each bite.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019d prefer a bite-size pasta, order a rigatoni or orecchiette dish \u2013 you\u2019ll find plenty of options on the menu.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The same rule applies to cooking pasta at home. Breaking pasta in half before adding it to a pan of boiling water is a severe culinary sin in the eyes of an Italian.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:37px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. Burping at the dinner table is acceptable in China<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignwide size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Intrepid-Travel-china_food_meal_lazy-susan.jpg\" data-rel=\"penci-gallery-image-content\" ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Intrepid-Travel-china_food_meal_lazy-susan-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"A spread of traditional Chinese dishes on a lazy susan\" class=\"wp-image-69926\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Intrepid-Travel-china_food_meal_lazy-susan-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Intrepid-Travel-china_food_meal_lazy-susan-425x239.jpg 425w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Intrepid-Travel-china_food_meal_lazy-susan-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Intrepid-Travel-china_food_meal_lazy-susan-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Intrepid-Travel-china_food_meal_lazy-susan-1170x658.jpg 1170w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Intrepid-Travel-china_food_meal_lazy-susan-585x329.jpg 585w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Intrepid-Travel-china_food_meal_lazy-susan.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Burping (gently) is seen as a sign of gratitude to the chef in <a data-wpil=\"url\" href=\"\/china\">China<\/a>. While you don\u2019t have to participate if you don\u2019t want to, you should remain open-minded to hearing a burp or two at the dining table.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong><a href=\"\/china\/china-experience-159925\">Experience the breadth of cultures, flavours and landscapes\u00a0of China<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:37px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5. Feel free to slurp your noodles in Japan<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignwide size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Intrepid-Travel-Japan-Tokyo-Harajuku-eating-ramen-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"A bowl of ramen in Harajuku, Japan\" class=\"wp-image-69927\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Intrepid-Travel-Japan-Tokyo-Harajuku-eating-ramen-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Intrepid-Travel-Japan-Tokyo-Harajuku-eating-ramen-425x239.jpg 425w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Intrepid-Travel-Japan-Tokyo-Harajuku-eating-ramen-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Intrepid-Travel-Japan-Tokyo-Harajuku-eating-ramen-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Intrepid-Travel-Japan-Tokyo-Harajuku-eating-ramen-1170x658.jpg 1170w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Intrepid-Travel-Japan-Tokyo-Harajuku-eating-ramen-585x329.jpg 585w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Intrepid-Travel-Japan-Tokyo-Harajuku-eating-ramen.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Have you ever been told it\u2019s rude to slurp? Not in <a data-wpil=\"url\" href=\"\/japan\">Japan<\/a>. Slurping noodles is seen as a compliment to the cook. But just because slurping is fine in ramen joints doesn\u2019t mean you should do it in other restaurant settings \u2013 unless you want to be side eyed by your neighbours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong><a href=\"\/japan\/japan-land-rising-sun-160300\">Uncover the rich cuisine, culture and history of Japan<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:37px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">6. Don\u2019t stick chopsticks in your rice in Japan<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A bowl of rice may seem like a great place to rest your chopsticks while you take a sip of sake or go for seconds of the karaage chicken, but it\u2019s a big no-no. In Japanese culture, sticking chopsticks in rice resembles a Japanese custom known as \u2018tate-bashi\u2019, a type of offering reserved for Buddhist and Shinto funerals. Doing it at a dinner table would be considered a bad omen. Instead, rest your chopsticks over your bowl or place them in the chopstick holder.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">7. Don\u2019t leave without tipping in the USA<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignwide size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Intrepid-Travel-USA_Tennessee_Nashville_Food_South_burgers-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"A chef sending a sandwich order out of the kitchen\" class=\"wp-image-69928\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Intrepid-Travel-USA_Tennessee_Nashville_Food_South_burgers-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Intrepid-Travel-USA_Tennessee_Nashville_Food_South_burgers-425x239.jpg 425w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Intrepid-Travel-USA_Tennessee_Nashville_Food_South_burgers-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Intrepid-Travel-USA_Tennessee_Nashville_Food_South_burgers-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Intrepid-Travel-USA_Tennessee_Nashville_Food_South_burgers-1170x658.jpg 1170w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Intrepid-Travel-USA_Tennessee_Nashville_Food_South_burgers-585x329.jpg 585w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Intrepid-Travel-USA_Tennessee_Nashville_Food_South_burgers.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Leaving a sit-down restaurant without tipping in the <a data-wpil=\"url\" href=\"\/united-states\">United States<\/a> is unheard of. You\u2019ll often find that waiters go the extra mile to ensure you\u2019re well looked after, and if you exit without leaving a gratuity, you could be seriously impacting their wages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Hospitality and service staff in the States rely on tips as they\u2019re usually paid below the federal minimum wage, which is very low compared to other countries like Australia. The accepted amount to tip is 15 to 20 per cent of the bill. Some establishments add a gratuity to the bill, in which case you\u2019re not required to tip extra.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In bars, it&#8217;s standard to tip USD $1 per drink, so ensure you have some loose bills in your purse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong><a href=\"\/united-states\/best-western-usa-160262\">Hit the best of the West on a USA road trip<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:37px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">8. Don&#8217;t lick your fingers in Ethiopia<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignwide size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Intrepid-Travel-Ethiopia_Jinka_Local-vegetarian-fasting-plate-lunch-1.jpg\" data-rel=\"penci-gallery-image-content\" ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Intrepid-Travel-Ethiopia_Jinka_Local-vegetarian-fasting-plate-lunch-1-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"A plate of traditional Ethiopian food on injera (flatbread)\" class=\"wp-image-69929\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Intrepid-Travel-Ethiopia_Jinka_Local-vegetarian-fasting-plate-lunch-1-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Intrepid-Travel-Ethiopia_Jinka_Local-vegetarian-fasting-plate-lunch-1-425x239.jpg 425w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Intrepid-Travel-Ethiopia_Jinka_Local-vegetarian-fasting-plate-lunch-1-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Intrepid-Travel-Ethiopia_Jinka_Local-vegetarian-fasting-plate-lunch-1-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Intrepid-Travel-Ethiopia_Jinka_Local-vegetarian-fasting-plate-lunch-1-1170x658.jpg 1170w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Intrepid-Travel-Ethiopia_Jinka_Local-vegetarian-fasting-plate-lunch-1-585x329.jpg 585w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Intrepid-Travel-Ethiopia_Jinka_Local-vegetarian-fasting-plate-lunch-1.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Sharing is at the heart of <a href=\"\/ethiopia\">Ethiopian<\/a> cuisine. Most dishes are brought out on injera, a large, spongy flatbread which also serves as cutlery. The platter is placed in the middle of the table so that everyone can tear off pieces of bread and use it to pick up colourful morsels of stews, curries and salads. Additionally, like in India, eating should only be done with the right hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It can take a little while to master the art of scooping food with injera, so be prepared to get messy. However, as tempting as it may be, don\u2019t lick your fingers during the meal as it\u2019s considered rude. Hold out till the end when you wash your hands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There can be a lot to navigate when you travel to a new country for the first time. When you travel with Intrepid, you\u2019ll have an expert local leader by your side to help you with the do\u2019s and don\u2019ts so you can get a true taste of the local culture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:37px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>Check out Intrepid\u2019s range of <a href=\"\/food\">food-focused adventures<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:37px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"ipf-title\">Get inspired<\/h2><div class=\"product_wrapper ipf-has-title\"><div class=\"product\" style=\"width:33.333333333333%;\" data-code=\"QVZA\"><div class=\"product-inner\"><div class=\"product-img\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/ipf\/QVZA.jpg\" width=\"100%\" height=\"auto\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/trips\/qvza\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"product-name\">Mexico Real Food Adventure<\/a><\/div><div class=\"product-footer\"><div class=\"product-footer-left\"><span class=\"product-days\">8 days<\/span><\/div><div class=\"product-footer-right\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/trips\/qvza\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"product-btn\">View trip<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"product\" style=\"width:33.333333333333%;\" data-code=\"TVZY\"><div class=\"product-inner\"><div class=\"product-img\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/ipf\/TVZY.jpg\" width=\"100%\" height=\"auto\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/trips\/tvzy\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"product-name\">Vietnam Real Food Adventure <\/a><\/div><div class=\"product-footer\"><div class=\"product-footer-left\"><span class=\"product-days\">12 days<\/span><\/div><div class=\"product-footer-right\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/trips\/tvzy\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"product-btn\">View trip<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"product\" style=\"width:33.333333333333%;\" data-code=\"ZMZB\"><div class=\"product-inner\"><div class=\"product-img\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/ipf\/ZMZB.jpg\" width=\"100%\" height=\"auto\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/trips\/zmzb\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"product-name\">Italy Real Food Adventure<\/a><\/div><div class=\"product-footer\"><div class=\"product-footer-left\"><span class=\"product-days\">8 days<\/span><\/div><div class=\"product-footer-right\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/trips\/zmzb\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"product-btn\">View trip<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When you travel, the etiquette you&#8217;re used to may be flipped on its head faster than you can say, \u2018No elbows on the table!\u2019 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16233,"featured_media":69931,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[1313],"tags":[260],"class_list":["post-69920","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-guides","tag-food-adventures"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v25.3.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Food Etiquette Around the World: Do&#039;s and Don&#039;ts | The Good Times by Intrepid<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"When you travel, the etiquette you&#039;re used to may be flipped on its head faster than you can say, \u2018No elbows on the table!\u2019. 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