How to Eat Around the World

One of the most beautiful ways to learn about other cultures is through the local food and dining practices. Local cuisine is one of the main components of a country’s identity, and experiencing the flavors and traditions inherit within a specific country allows a visitor to better understand the identity of those who live there. Aside from getting a better feel of the rich history behind a dish or tradition, experiencing local cuisine allows us to expand our flavor palettes and bring new techniques and recipes home with us to cook in our own kitchens as well. Often times, we may think we know what a food tastes like—such as mozzarella cheese or curry—but when eating it within the actual country in which it came from, we experience new flavors and textures beyond those found in a grocery store.

It’s important to research and get a feel for dining etiquette before embarking on your journey as to not offend when overseas. Dining out while traveling abroad is both an adventure and a learning experience, but a simple gesture in one country may have a completely different interpretation in another. Invaluable created a neat guide that outlines some of the major do’s and don’ts in frequently visited countries across the globe. Use it before you embark on your summer vacation as a helpful way to understand what’s appropriate when dining abroad. Here are a few quick and interesting takeaways:

• While it may be tempting to pick up something like a french fry with your hands, avoid doing so when visiting Chile. Everything is eaten with utensils-—even finger foods!
  
  
• Never leave your chopsticks upright in your bowl in China or Japan—this is reminiscent of how ceremonial rice is left as an offering at funerals.
  
  
• Don’t try to split the bill in France—money is considered a personal matter. Those who invite pay, and the guests are expected to invite the next go around.
  
  
• In India, it’s considered taboo to eat with your left hand because it’s seen as unclean. Play it safe, and use your right hand when indulging.
  
  
• A cappuccino after a meal is always a yes, right? Wrong. In Italy, you’re immediately labeled a tourist if you order a cappuccino after a meal because drinking milk is known to hinder digestion.
  
  
• When in Mexico, have a snack if you’re heading to a dinner party starving. Eating is considered a social gathering, so often times, the physical act of eating is delayed due to conversation, drinking, and mingling prior.
  
  
• If you’re a big vodka fan, Russia is your place. It’s even considered disrespectful to decline a shot at dinner since it’s believed to be a sign of trust and friendship.

As you can see, there are a range of different eating habits that vary across the globe. While global travel offers a great way to immerse yourself in different cultures and cuisines, it’s best practice to familiarize yourself with what’s acceptable and what’s not before you embark on your journey. Check out the full visual below for all the do’s and don’ts!

About the Author:

Emma is a writer for the Invaluable blog, where she strives to constantly inspire creatives. In her spare time, she can be found cuddled up with her two cats or writing her latest creative writing piece.

Thank you to Emma and Invaluable for sharing this amazing guide along with important tips when traveling overseas.  Stop by Invaluable to see the amazing art pieces and much more.