Table Manners around the world

Table manners are the rules of etiquette used while eating, which may also include the appropriate use of utensils. Different cultures observe different rules for table manners. Each family or group sets its own standards for how strictly these rules are to be enforced.

Some examples of table manner around the world:

India:

• Irrespective of whether one consumes food using cutlery or with their hand (typically the right hand), one is expected to wash hands before and after consuming food. During the course of the meal, cleaning one's eating hand with a cloth or paper tissue is considered unhygienic, though with the advent of restaurant dining, it is becoming more acceptable. One may be asked to wash their hands before and after sitting down to a meal.
• It is customary to share food with anyone who wants it; however, not from the plate one is eating from.
• It is rude for one's host to not offer guests food multiple times.
• Similarly, it is expected that one should not leave the table before the host or until the eldest person has finished their food.
• It was not traditional to use dining napkins or paper tissues while eating, however, this is now the case in most of North India. In South India, an unfolded long towel on right shoulder is a tradition, which can be used to wipe one's hands after washing. However, this is mostly followed only on formal occasions.
• It is not necessary to taste each and every dish prepared, but one should finish everything on the plate as it is considered a respect for served food, and food is sacred. For this reason, one should take only as much food on the plate as they can finish. However, this is not general phenomenon. Depending on the family or community, one can leave the leftover food on the plate if they cannot eat any more. Also, at many places, someone insisting someone to try a dish or serving special dishes in excess, is considered as a sign of their affection towards them.
• Playing with food or in any way distorting the food is unacceptable. Eating at a medium pace is important, as eating too slowly may imply that you dislike the food, whereas eating too quickly is rude. 

China:

a. A round dining table is more popular than a rectangular or square one. As many people who can be seated comfortably around it conveniently face one another. The guest of honor is always seated to the right of the host; the next in line will sit on his left. Guests should be seated after the host's invitation, and it is discourteous to seat guests at the place where the dishes are served.

b. Dining may only begin once the host and all his guests are seated. The host should actively take care of all his guests, inviting them to enjoy their meal.

c. On a typical Chinese dining table there are always a cup, a bowl on a small dish, together with the chopsticks and spoons. Dishes are always presented in the center of the table.

 

d. Apart from soup, all dishes should be eaten with chopsticks. The Chinese are particular about the use of chopsticks. There are many no-no's such as twiddling with chopsticks, licking chopsticks, or using them to stir up the food, gesture with them or point them at others. Never stick chopsticks in the center of rice, as this is the way to sacrifice and is therefore considered to be inauspicious.

e. Keep your dining pace accorded with other people. Never smoke when dining.

f. A formal dining is always accompanied by tea, beer or distilled spirit. The one who sit closest to the teapot or wine bottle should pour them for others from the senior and superior to the junior and inferior. And when other people fill your cup or glass, you should express your thanks. Guests can not pour tea or wine themselves.

 

Costa Rica:

Do not begin eating your meal until you hear the host say “Buen Provecho”. Then it is okay to begin eating.

• The knife is always held in the left hand, and the fork in the right.
• When a meal is finished, utensils are typically laid parallel to each other on the plate.
• When not using your hands for eating, hands should always be kept on the table and within sight. You can rest your hands and wrists on the table, but never your elbows.
• When dining at a home, dishes are always passed to the left.
• Never cut your salad with a knife, instead bunch the lettuce up on your fork.
• The most honored position is at the head of the table. If there are two hosts, one will be at each end of the table. Male guests will sit to the right of the main host, and females will sit to the left.
• When it comes to paying the bill, it is customary for the one who invited the guests to pay the bill. This can change, however, and is sometimes determined by rank.
• Tipping 10% at restaurants is sufficient.

this was a bit of examples about table manner around the world.