Meet 6 Strange Habits When It Comes To Eating
The world is a vast and diverse place populated by billions of people from different cultures. This also manifests itself at the time of sitting at the table, at which time what for many is nothing more than a habit becomes a strange and fun activity for the rest. We review some of the most curious gastronomic customs.
How to eat and serve
Use your hands
In India, it is mandatory to put food in your mouth exclusively with your hands, that is, without the help of any type of cutlery.
For reasons of etiquette, it is advisable to use only the right hand for this, since doing it with the left is considered an insult. In fact, its inhabitants carry out any activity such as greeting or making money exchanges with their right hands.
For their part, Chileans prefer to do just the opposite. Any dish, whatever it may be, must be eaten using the cutlery for it.
In this country they will look down on us if we touch any food with our fingers. The matter goes so far that it does not accept exceptions, not even for a juicy pizza, a greasy hamburger or the classic portion of fries.
Serve the drinks
When it comes to drinking, there are also many striking traditions. This is the case of Egypt, a country well known for its cultural and historical value. What few know is that when one sits at the table with an Egyptian, they should never refill their own glass, once it is emptied, another diner will have to do it when they realize it. Meanwhile we must be aware of filling the glasses of the rest as they use up their drinks.
In Europe, specifically in France, something similar happens. In the sommelier country par excellence it is also considered a lack of decorum to serve one’s own drink. Moreover, dispensing the elixir first to the ladies and leaving the glasses halfway, without actually filling them, are synonymous with courtesy and finesse in the Gallic nation.
The higher the better
Sounds when eating
The Japanese are a people of powerful roots whose habits and practices often attract the attention of the rest of the world. Lunchtime couldn’t be less and in Japan they have very interesting practices.
Instead of complimenting the cook on his work in the kitchen, the Japanese prefer to make as many noises as possible with their mouths while savoring the food. In this way they imply that the stew was exquisite. The higher the loudness achieved, the more flattered the chef in question will feel.
This practice is also very common in other Asian regions such as China, where its inhabitants praise the food that has been prepared for them by burping at the end of each dish they consume.
Recognition sign
Gases are judged very negatively in modern Western culture as shameless, rude and impertinent, especially if the act in question takes place during or after a binge.
However, in the Eskimo populations that persist in the northernmost parts of Canada and Alaska, this is not the case. The Inuit find flatulence and gas indispensable praise when they have guests at the table.
Of course, they expect their visitors to act in the same way as this activity is a social convenience of the first order for these tribes. Peoples that fight daily to combat the disappearance of their rites, clearly influenced by nomadism and inclement weather.
Bread
We return to France to talk about one of its most famous gastronomic products, bread. This traditional and staple of French culture has lots of different styles and formats, among which the popular baguette stands out.
What is unknown is that there it is customary to leave the bar to finish the banquet, at which time some slices will be cut to be eaten as an accompaniment to slices of cheese, just before dessert.
In Afghanistan, for their part, they especially value this edible since it is a real livelihood for many families.
They respect him so much that when someone drops even a small crumb on the ground, he immediately picks it up and kisses it affectionately. Once recovered, it will continue to eat it happily, as if nothing had happened.
