Table Manners around the World
—Helen Yen
“Keep your elbows off the table!”In America, it's common for parents to say this to their children during a meal. That's because eating with your elbows on the table is considered impolite. This isn't the case in every country, though. When it comes to dining, bad manners in one place could be considered good manners in another.
Would you burp loudly at the table after a meal? In many countries, that would be considered rude, but not so in parts of China and in Bahrain. In these places, burping is a sign of appreciation for the food, and thus a polite gesture.
Similar differences can be found in the choice between using or not using a fork. If you're in Mexico, make sure you don't eat your taco with a knife and fork—unless you want others to think you're putting on airs. Eat with your hands, like everyone else. In Chile, European culture is valued, so avoid eating with your hands—even when you have food such as french fries before you. Use a fork and knife instead.
世界各國的餐桌禮儀
「不要把手肘放在桌上！」在美國，父母很常在用餐時對孩子這麼說。那是因為吃飯時把手肘放在桌上被視為是不禮貌的。不過並非每個國家都是如此。說到用餐時，在某地無禮的行為在別處可能被認為是禮貌的表現。
你用完餐後會在餐桌上大聲打嗝嗎？在很多國家，那會被認為很無禮，但在中國某些地方和巴林則不會。在這些地方，打嗝是對食物感謝的象徵，因此是禮貌的表示。
類似的差異可在選擇用或不用叉子看到。如果你在墨西哥，務必不要用刀叉吃墨西哥玉米餅──除非你想讓別人認為你在裝腔作勢。用你的雙手吃，就跟其他人一樣。在智利，歐洲文化受到重視，所以要避免用手吃飯──即使是薯條之類的食物在你面前時。要改用刀叉。
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