In New York, eating pizza with a fork and knife is frowned upon (Lolostock/ Getty Images)
- Different countries have unique and sometimes unusual food and drink etiquette.
- This includes not pointing your feet towards your food in South Africa, eating pizza with a fork and knife in Venezuela, specific coffee drinking times in Italy, and unique alcohol consumption rules in countries like Malawi and South Korea.
- These quirky customs were published in a 2023 report highlighting these diverse social norms.
- For more lifestyle news, go to the News24 Life front page.
Different countries worldwide have their unique cultures and traditions regarding food, and sometimes these can be quite unusual and hard to explain.
For example, in South Africa, pointing your feet towards others or even food is considered impolite, while in Bolivia, married women are only allowed to drink one glass of wine at bars.
Meanwhile, when offered a glass of vodka in Mongolia, you are expected to dip your finger into it, flick it once towards the sky, once towards the ground, and then touch your forehead in honour of local spirits.
According to 2023 research by Remitly, a financial services provider for immigrants, these are just a few examples of the diverse social norms related to eating and drinking worldwide.
To obtain these findings, experts examined global food and drink etiquette rules, focusing on Google search results for ‘food and drink etiquette’ in 180 countries. They also reviewed hundreds of cultural guides and local tips on platforms like Reddit.
What might be considered a social norm in one part of the world could be viewed as rude or offensive in another.
Social considerations
Culinary customs differ widely around the world. In some countries, eating with a fork, spoon, or other cutlery is considered rude. For instance, in New York, eating pizza with a fork and knife is frowned upon, whereas in Venezuela, even fruit is supposed to be eaten with a fork and knife. In Argentina, it is common practice to drop the knife after cutting up pizza, and in Colombia, eating with your hands is unacceptable. The French believe you should not cut your salad with a knife but rather fold the lettuce leaves with your fork.
Tea and coffee
Even something as simple as drinking tea and coffee comes with its own rules, which vary worldwide. Italians find it unthinkable to drink a milky coffee after 11 am. In Croatia, spending only 30 minutes with someone for coffee is considered rude.
In Brazil, milk should never be mixed with mangoes and in Kazakhstan, a cup of tea is meant to be only half full, similar to Moroccan customs, where tea is often drunk from a shot glass.
Remitly food and drinks etiquette map (Supplied)
Alcohol etiquette
Drinking alcohol is not a simple practice in many parts of the world, with some places being stricter than others, including Africa and Asia.
In Malawi, it is socially unacceptable for women to drink alcohol, and in South Korea, you are expected to turn your head away from your elders when you drink.
A peculiar practice in Ukraine involves stealing the bride’s shoe and drinking out of it at weddings, while in the UK, it is illegal to be drunk in a pub. In Russia, a man is expected to pour alcohol for the woman sitting next to him, and in the UAE, you need a liquor license to drink at home.
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Rules for eating
One of the most bizarre practices around a dinner table, which would be frowned upon in many parts of the world, is burping at the table, which is acceptable in China.
Manners play a significant role in eating etiquette in Asia.
“Eating in view of others without offering them some is rude in Nepal, as is eating while walking in Turkmenistan.
“In Thailand, the eldest woman of the group orders for everyone and in Kuwait, bringing a small gift when invited for a meal is customary,” the research found.
In Saudi Arabia, you can only eat or drink once the oldest man has been served and has started eating.
Remitly food and drinks etiquette map (Supplied)
Angolans expect everyone to dress for dinner as they would for the office. In Mexico, you cannot eat watermelon at night, and in Japan, it is frowned upon that wasabi is mixed into soy sauce when eating sushi.
When hosting a barbecue in New Zealand, or what is called a braai in South Africa, it is acceptable to do so without supplying all the food and drinks.
Some of the most uncommon practices are seen in countries like Uzbekistan, where dessert is served at the beginning of the meal, and in the DRC, where snakes are considered a delicacy.
In Senegal and Rwanda, you cannot eat and drink simultaneously, while in the Central African Republic, it is a sign of respect to eat with your hands.
“There are a variety of African drinks that can accompany meals or be enjoyed on their own. Sour milk is a delicacy in Lesotho and Eswatini, tea is served in three stages in Niger, getting sweeter with each round, and big glasses of wine are to be expected in South Africa,” according to the findings.
